Collaborative and communicative planning is at the centre of sustainable development and good governance. North West Premier Modise said in her address during the Leadership Conference organised by the Provincial Planning Commission at the Mmabatho Convention Centre, in Mmabatho, Mahikeng on Thursday.
Convened under the theme “Achieving National Development Plan (NDP) objectives through collective responsibility to enhance growth and development in the North West Province” the conference brought together stakeholders from government, business, traditional authorities and civil society to assess, among others, the level of preparedness of government and other sectors to roll out the National Development Plan.
Premier Modise said collective effort was critical for the successful implementation of the NDP. “This conference must therefore restore our collective confidence to shape a future that works for our people – a future devoid of contest and competition over development issues.
“We are a generation that has a unique opportunity to build a better and prosperous future. Our forefathers gave us liberty and freedom. We must at the same time ensure that we fight corruption because it affects the ability of government to deliver services, it discourages investments and prevents growth and development,” warned Premier Modise.
“Our capacity to improve economic planning, physical planning and public service and policy implementation must be the hallmark of the next twenty years. We will achieve this through our collective effort to implement the NDP and advance the priorities of our Provincial Development Plan,” reiterated the Premier.
The rising unemployment rate is the contributor to poverty and inequality in the province, and if insufficient cognizance is given to the challenge, it is likely to impact adversely on the NPD’s vision of creating 11 million jobs in 20 years,” she cited.
Premier Modise emphasised that through the participation of everyone in the implementation of the plan, the North West province can be a better place come 2030. Making Presentation on how provinces must respond to the NDP and vision 2030, Pascal Moloi from the National Planning Commission also agreed with the Premier that all South African must take part in the implementation of the NDP.
He emphasized that leaders in the province must make sure that all the citizens understand and own the plan. Commissioner Moloi further outlined economic proposals contained in the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), which seeks to change the lives of the people in the country.
He stressed to delegates, that the NDP is the only plan that can deliver faster economic growth as well as inclusive growth by 2030. Deputy Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional Leaders Kgosi Moshe Mabe who attended the one-day conference welcomed the initiative as a step in the right direction.
“We are pleased with the development here at this conference because we have always been convinced that collaborative efforts are critical in bringing about development, infrastructures, employment and sustainable livelihood for our people. The cooperation of civil society, business local, municipal, provincial and even national government will ensure that unnecessary barriers towards development, especially in rural areas where the majority of our people based, are removed,” said Kgosi Mabe.
In their statement of intent at the end of the conference, participants affirmed their support for the National Development Plan declared their collective support for the Provincial Development Plan (PDP).
“We agree to work collectively and conscientiously to ensure the implementation of the NDP provincial priority areas to improve the living standards of the residents of the province. We remain steadfast to focus our energy on the rural economy in all the significant dimensions of its potential to create substantial employment for our people,” said conference participants in their statement of intent.
North West Planning Commission Chairperson, Darkie Afrika said his office will ensure that organised businesses, labour, communities and the province at large support the goals and the objectives of the NDP.
Among those in attendance were North West Finance MEC Paul Sebegoe, MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Manketse Tlhape and MEC for Economic Development, Conservation, Environment and Tourism Motlalepula Rosho.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
Email: LKgwele@gmail.com
