Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has welcomed the on-going debate over the National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.
Zuma, who was speaking at the Union Buildings after his first meeting with the National Planning Commission (NPC), since the plan was adopted by Cabinet, said the debate was robust and “natural in a democratic country”.
“People who are raising issues should help us [by saying] what are the alternatives to helping the plan better…” said Zuma on Wednesday.
He was earlier briefed by the Commission on the support for the NDP from various sectors of society, and the level of policy debate around the plan.
The NDP defines a desired destination for the country and identifies the role different sectors of society need to play in reaching the goal of ensuring that all South Africans attain a decent standard of living through the elimination of poverty and reduction of inequality.
In spite the discussion around the plan, Zuma said it had strong support across different sectors of society.
The NDP is government’s blueprint to create jobs, eliminate poverty and stimulate economic growth.
However, some have criticised it, saying it does not represent a radical shift in economic policy.
The aim of Wednesday’s meeting, which Zuma said was imperative, was to look at support received from various sectors of society for the NDP, and how it has contributed to raising the level of policy debate.
The President, however, was realistic that the implementation of the plan would be more difficult, but could be done.
“Government departments can’t work in silos… Other economic policies have failed because there was not enough effort in implementation, but this time it is going to be different,” he said.
Focus on implementation
In the next phase of the plan, Zuma said he would need to meet more often with the Commission to discuss the challenges and sharpen approaches to implementing the plan.
Zuma said he was satisfied that significant work had been done to prepare for implementation.
"I am pleased that government has already begun to prepare the 2014 - 2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework, which is based on the National Development Plan. We are determined to ensure that we use the NDP to improve the lives of our people," President Zuma said.
The NDP is premised on the belief that drastic actions are necessary if the country is to eliminate poverty and reduce the high number of unemployment by 2030. It has identified improved levels of education, skills development and vocational training through Further Education and Training (FET) colleges.
National Planning Commission chairperson, Minister Trevor Manuel, said implementation work was already underway, and it could be seen in the numerous programmes being drawn up in various departments.
He said action was now needed, “instead of perfection".
“It’s a plan focused on learning by doing. We do not have all the answers,” said Manuel after the meeting.
“There is no way that the NPC is going to say, ‘discussions are over’. It is work in progress...”
Asked about the 11 million jobs target set out in the NDP, Manuel said people must guard against declaring the plan a “non-starter” and called for deeper consultations. – SAnews.gov.za
