The South African Development Plan (NDP) was created by the National Planning Commission (NPC), a South African group responsible for detailing a long-term vision and strategy for the country. The NPC includes 24 part-time members, along with a chairperson and deputy chairperson appointed by the President, based on their experiences and skills. The Commission is chaired by the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.

The South African government adopted the National Development Plan as the foundation for a projected financial and socio-economic advancement strategy for the nation in December 2012.

The NPC built the NDP on six pillars:

1. The mobilization of all South Africans
2. Active participation of citizens in their community
3. Development and inclusion of the economy
4. The construction of essential human, physical and institutional abilities
5. Creating a competent state, concerned with its own development
6. Promoting effective leadership for the community

The central issues addressed in the South African National Development Plan address the country’s economic growth and the ability of that growth strategy to deliver a socioeconomic transformation for the country by 2030. The NPC aims to build consensus on the key obstacles to achieving objectives and what is necessary to overcome these obstacles. Implementing a shared long-term strategic framework within which more detailed planning can take place to advance the long-term goals set out in the NDP is a major goal. Furthermore, the plan hopes to create a basis for making choices about how best to use limited resources.

The purpose of the plan is to outline and achieve a decent standard of living for all citizens through the eradication of poverty and inequality. The components of a “decent standard of living,” as identified in the NDP, are: housing, water, electricity and sanitation; safe and dependable public transport; quality education and skills development; safety and security; quality healthcare; social protection; employment; recreation and leisure; a clean environment; and adequate nutrition.

If implemented successfully, the South African Development Plan will enable the country to reach an employment near 90%, no poverty and an annual economic growth rate of 5.4% by 2030.

– Heather Hopkins
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