MEDIUM TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2024-29: PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE BRIEFED

Although more than three weeks have passed since Cabinet approved the 2024-2029 medium-term development plan, as far as can be ascertained it has still not been published. A presentation document on the plan nevertheless provides some insights into what is envisaged.

Circulated during a recent meeting of the National Assembly’s Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Committee, the presentation document refers to the new plan as a ‘transitioned’ 2019-2025 medium-term strategic framework (MTSF), which it replaces. This is noting that the new plan:

  • builds on a ‘minimum programme of priorities’ adopted by the Government of National Unity Cabinet during a July 2024 lekgotla, and
  • is underpinned by the 2030 National Development Plan (NDP).

Despite not having been published, since receiving Cabinet’s approval the new plan has been the focus of a Department of Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation media statement welcoming the move, as well as a speech from Minister in the Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa.

Delivered at a United Nations country team retreat, the speech reiterated much of what has been said before on multiple occasions in various contexts, namely that the new plan:

  • ‘provides a comprehensive framework of interventions and targets to guide the actions of public sector institutions’
  • ‘marks a critical phase’ in fulfilling NDP ‘Vision 2030’
  • ‘seeks to overcome some of the challenges that have hindered focused planning and delivery, such as fragmented priorities and (a) lack of integration across government’
  • focuses on ‘policy coherence and priority setting’, and
  • seeks to ‘improve the state’s ability to deliver on its developmental mandate effectively’ by way of a ‘governance approach’ that ‘prioritises outcomes and impact’.

This is bearing in mind that, with the NDP’s 2030 deadline looming, the new medium-term development plan ‘seeks to accelerate delivery of core areas, primarily with a focus on realising rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and job creation’.

According to the Minister:

  • the plan’s implementation ‘will leverage lessons from successful initiatives such as Operation Vulindlela’, while learning from global best practices’, and
  • ‘strategic partnerships with business, labour, academia, civil society, traditional leaders and multilateral institutions such as the UN will be key to successful delivery’.

The committee presentation document unpacks these issues further, focusing on the plan’s three key priorities:

  • ‘driving inclusive growth and job creation’
  • ‘reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living’, and
  • ‘building a capable, ethical and developmental state’.

The Minister’s speech identified two more priorities:

  • human development (through education, healthcare and social protection)
  • infrastructure development, and
  • ‘addressing climate change’ (through ‘a just energy transition’).

Please click the links below for more information:

Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

Follow us on X @SALegalAcademy (you can also join us on LinkedIn and Facebook)

There are not comments for this article at the moment, check back later.
You must be logged in to add a comment, log in now.
Need Help ?

Explore Smarty