By Thapelo Molefe
South Africa is at a turning point as the government rolls out its Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for 2024-2029, a strategy aimed at tackling economic stagnation, improving service delivery and ensuring inclusive development.
Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, described the plan as “a decisive intervention to drive meaningful change in the final stretch toward Vision 2030”.
“This is a critical juncture for South Africa. With only one medium-term plan remaining before 2030, we must act decisively to implement reforms and deliver tangible results,” Minister Ramokgopa said.
The MTDP builds on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, in which he emphasised the need for structural reforms, the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) and economic recovery measures.
The plan replaces the previous Medium-Term Strategic Framework, introducing a more integrated approach to governance.
“The MTDP ensures alignment between government priorities, policies and budgets. It fosters coherence across departments, preventing the fragmentation that has hindered progress in the past,” Ramokgopa explained.
The plan is built around three central priorities identified through extensive consultation, including three Cabinet lekgotla sessions.
These priorities focus on promoting inclusive economic growth and employment opportunities, addressing poverty and the rising cost of living, and strengthening state capacity, ethics and developmental governance.
The acting deputy director-general on National Planning Coordination, Lindsay Martin, provided further insights into the plan’s development.
“We have engaged extensively across government and society, supported by the National Planning Commission. There was rigorous debate, but we reached a consensus on the way forward,” he stated.
Martin outlined key milestones in the process, noting that the finalisation of the MTDP would take place at the upcoming Cabinet meeting on 26 February.
The plan integrates existing development goals with new priorities set by the Government of National Unity, ensuring policy continuity while addressing emerging challenges.
The MTDP defines several critical initiatives designed to drive economic transformation and service improvements.
These include fostering economic growth and job creation by encouraging industrial development, supporting small enterprises, strengthening trade relations and investing in priority sectors.
Infrastructure development is another key focus, with plans to expand public infrastructure investment to stimulate economic activity and enhance essential services.
Social protection and cost of living relief will be addressed through enhancements to public employment initiatives, refinements to social grant programmes, and reviews of regulated pricing structures.
The plan also prioritises healthcare and education by advancing the NHI, upgrading healthcare facilities and strengthening foundational education systems.
Additionally, efforts to bolster state capability and governance include professionalising the public service, improving local government efficiency and combating corruption.
Finally, security and law enforcement will be strengthened through reinforced crime prevention strategies and increased law enforcement effectiveness.
“At the core of this plan is the drive for an inclusive economy where no one is left behind. Growth must translate into jobs and governance must translate into service delivery,” Ramokgopa emphasised.
The implementation of the MTDP will be closely monitored through performance frameworks set by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and the Presidency.
Mechanisms such as Operation Vulindlela will play a crucial role in tracking reforms and ensuring accountability.
“Success depends on collaboration. We urge business, labour and civil society to partner with us in implementing this plan,” Ramokgopa said.
“Through collective effort, we can create a more prosperous and equitable South Africa.”
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