President Zuma holds a final meeting with the National Planning Commission
President Jacob Zuma this morning, 30 April 2015, held a final meeting to receive a report and bid farewell to the outgoing members of the first National Planning Commission (NPC).
The members of the commission were appointed in 2010 for a period of five years which expires at the end of May 2015.
The President thanked the commissioners for a sterling job done over the past five years, the highlight of which was the successful finalisation of the country's National Development Plan.
President Zuma paid particular tribute to the Commission's first chairperson, former Minister in the Presidency, Mr Trevor Manuel and its former deputy chairperson and now Deputy President of the Republic, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa for successfully leading the NPC and ensuring its phenomenal success.
The President also thanked the Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Mr Jeff Radebe, the Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, who has the responsibility of ensuring that the National Development Plan is implemented in government. The Minister is also tasked with promoting the NDP's implementation across all sectors.
The outgoing Commission presented its close-out report to the President outlining the work it has done over the past five years and what still needs to be done by the incoming members of the Commission.
One of the highlights that the President noted about the Commission is how it has involved South Africans in doing its job. Through a range of platforms, the Commission reached out to thousands of South Africans to solicit their views. The NPC also endeavoured to ensure that its work is based on sound evidence. This is what has led to the broad acceptance of the National Development Plan.
President Zuma said to the outgoing Commissioners:
"From the first document you produced, it was clear that you took your mandate very seriously. You did not present the country with a set of slogans. You presented well-researched facts which made it difficult for those whose work you criticised to disagree''
He further said the work of the Commission confirmed that "we may differ politically but we all want what is best for ourselves and our children''.
President Zuma said the work of government had been enriched by the existence of the NDP and the guidance it provides in policy making and implementation.
As one of its final contributions, the Commission is finalising a discussion document on planning. This document draws on the Commission's experience over the past five years, and international experiences to put forward a set of recommendations on how government planning should be done. Whereas the NDP focussed on defining the strategic direction for the country and setting goals and priorities, this document deals with the nuts and bolts of planning. The discussion document will be made publicly available during the month of May 2015.
"As a country and government we owe these men and women a huge debt of gratitude for serving their country with distinction," said President Zuma.
The implementation of the NDP is supported by the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) which has been adopted by government and is currently under implementation. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is overseeing the monitoring of the implementation of the plan and reports to Cabinet.
Minister Radebe has called for nominations for the new NPC, whose members are appointed by the President. An announcement will be made in due course once all the processes have been completed.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
Harold Maloka
Cell: 082 847 9799
E-mail: maloka.harold@gmail.com
