Johannesburg - Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, says steady progress is being made in the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).
The Minister was addressing a media briefing on the mandate of the National Planning Commission (NPC), which he chairs.
The Minister said the degree of success in the implementation of the plan depends on each particular area. The NDP is a detailed blueprint for how the country can eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by the year 2030.
“Our NDP is being implemented and taken forward by different sectors of society. In 2014, I indicated that we have translated the NDP into a five-year programme, the Medium Term Strategic Framework, for the period 2014-2019, which Cabinet has adopted with the 14 outcomes,” said the Minister.
He said there are Ministers who are tasked with implementing the 14 outcomes and they are being held accountable for their work.
“All Ministers have signed a performance agreement with the President to account for the implementation of those outcomes. As the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), we give reports every quarter to government to see the progress that has been done and to see a programme of action,” said the Minister.
He said the reports are available on the department’s website and are accessible to everyone.
The NPC is made up of 26 independent commissioners from a wide range of sectors appointed by the President on the basis of their expertise and experience. It is fully supported by the secretariat located in the DPME.
The NDP is at the heart of the commission’s work. Minister Radebe said the commissioners provide evidence-based advice to the President and Cabinet on matters affecting the development of the country.
The first group of commissioners was appointed in 2010 and its term ended in May 2015. President Jacob Zuma appointed the second commission for a further period of five years in September last year.
Minister Radebe said the previous commission compiled a detailed handover report of its work at the end of its term. He said the commission has highlighted areas which need urgent attention.
Among these areas is a need to attend to issues of economic growth and transformation; state capacity, in particular matters relating to improving governance, and mobilising key sectors to agree on a social compact which addresses measures necessary to accelerate implementation of the NDP.
The Minister said the success and experience of the first commission will be used as a building block by the second commission as it undertakes its mandate.
Minister Radebe said the realisation and success of the country’s efforts in implementing the NDP depends on the focus, passion and active involvement of every citizen; the alignment and commitment of the national budget to the goals of the NDP within the available resources; accountability for the financial resources allocated through the NDP goals; and regular monitoring and evaluation of identified NDP targets.
NPC Deputy Chairperson Professor Malegapuru Makgoba said the commission is not a government structure but an independent structure of South Africa.
He said the previous committee defined the NDP and its mission and that the new commission will among other things develop implementation advice.
Other NPC commissioners said the commission has come up with about 27 interventions, which cannot yet be revealed as they still have to undergo critique. - SAnews.gov.za
