Government will over the next five years focus on accelerating service delivery by overcoming the challenges of fragmented priorities, misaligned budgets and a lack of integration across national, provincial and local levels.
This will be achieved through the implementation of the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP 2024 - 2029) which is the five-year plan for the seventh administration.
The MTDP directly addresses shortcomings by focusing on policy coherence, capacity building, and combating corruption.
“Its goal is to improve the state’s ability to deliver on its developmental mandate effectively,” Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramakgopa, said on Friday.
Addressing a media briefing in Cape Town, she said the MTDP draws from the Government of National Unity (GNU)’s Statement of Intent and the consensus reached during the Cabinet Lekgotla held on 13 to 14 July 2024.
It was adopted with three strategic priorities that include driving inclusive economic growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
“These priorities are interrelated and interdependent. As the President remarked in the State of the Nation Address, the most urgent task is to grow the economy and build jobs, and to achieve this, we need a government that works for the people, and we need a competent and capable state which treats all people with dignity and respect.
“The MTDP will enable better alignment between plans and budgets by streamlining priorities and emphasising practical implementation.
“It establishes a clear link between the National Development Plan’s (NDP) transformative vision and tangible results on the ground. This governance approach prioritises impact and outcomes.
“This plan marks a critical phase in achieving the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030, as it is the final medium-term plan before the 2030 deadline. Therefore, accelerated delivery of core strategic priorities is imperative,” the Minister said.
The NDP aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.
It acknowledges the limitations in state capacity that have impeded progress in achieving inclusive economic development.
“The MTDP therefore emphasises the need for a clear and coordinated implementation mechanism. It focuses on targeted, timely interventions to overcome these challenges and drive the achievement of the country’s development.
“The successful delivery of the MTDP depends on a multi-faceted approach that prioritises governance, coordination, inclusivity, and structural reform. These critical success factors build on lessons from the 6th administration and lay the foundation for achieving the MTDP’s strategic priorities,” Ramokgopa said.
The approach of delivering the MTDP’s strategic priorities include the following:
A whole-of-government approach:
- To foster coordination across all spheres of government to ensure alignment of resources, policies, and interventions.
- Eliminate duplication and inefficiencies, creating a seamless execution mechanism across departments and agencies.
Mainstreaming inclusivity:
- Prioritise marginalised groups - including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
- Make inclusivity the cornerstone of all government programs to ensure no one is left behind in South Africa’s development journey.
Strengthened role of the Presidency:
- Enhance the Presidency’s capacity to effectively coordinate policies, planning, and implementation.
- Introduce reforms such as improved agenda-setting mechanisms and streamlined intergovernmental cluster systems to ensure cohesive execution of priorities.
Reforming organisational structures:
- Modernise institutions by streamlining processes, clarifying roles,
- Address inefficiencies to strengthen institutional effectiveness and support the MTDP’s delivery goals.
Economic structural reforms:
- Address critical constraints in energy, transport, and logistics to unlock growth and enable job creation.
- Boost competitiveness by modernizing infrastructure and eliminating bottlenecks that hinder sustainable economic development.
Stable and functional local government:
- Implement local government reforms to improve service delivery and ensure development reaches all communities.
- Strengthen municipal governance through revised policy frameworks and targeted empowerment initiatives.
Improved state-owned enterprise (SOE) performance:
- Align SOEs with developmental mandates by addressing governance challenges and ensuring accountability.
- Enhance operational efficiency to maximize their contribution to national development goals.
- SAnews.gov.za
