Chance to build a better future for all
THE National Planning Commission is making a case for what needs to be done by all, regardless of political persuasion.
FORGET DIFFERENCES: Trevor Manuel addresses Parliament during the handing over of the Revised National Development Plan to President Jacob Zuma.When we raise targets, the numbers we use are the precise targets that we must aim for.
Now we are aware that we will not hit all of these, but all of us need a consciousness of how wide off the mark we actually are. It is also important to introduce into this discussion the reality that no nation has attained all of which it desires.
There needs to be public discussion that is sufficiently inclusive and mature to construct trade-offs between what we can do immediately and what can be deferred.
This process only works if there is honesty and accountability.
The commission has also identified other enabling milestones to achieve the broad objectives of the plan.
For example, we would have to create an additional 11-million jobs over the next two decades. Per capita income should rise from about R50,000 per person to about R120,000, but distributed more evenly across the population.
The economy would have to expand to almost three times the present level. The share of income accruing to the bottom 40% of the population should rise from 6% to 10%.
Ninety percent of children in Grade 6 should be able to read, write and count at the appropriate level and all children should have access to proper nutrition from birth to ensure proper formative development.
Now, it is worth digressing to remind all South Africans that between that desirable state and the present, where even the school nutrition programme is difficult to implement, lies a huge chasm.
The object of the plan is to bridge such a chasm - why does food not get delivered to children? Is it the capacity of officials charged with the responsibility? Might it be that food is too expensive and impossible to secure?
Might it be that tenders get in the way of the objective of feeding children?
Or might it be that decision-makers are too wealthy to care?
Whatever the issue, a plan must boldly raise the breakdown and invite all South Africans to become part of the solution.
These targets are more than just arbitrary or distant points on a road map. They are carefully calibrated milestones along a path to prosperity and equity for all.
Despite massive progress since 1994, on the present trajectory, we will not achieve our target of eliminating poverty and reducing inequality by 2030.
Without faster progress, there is a real chance that South Africa could slide backwards while dealing with the immense challenges overwhelming our capacity tosucceed.
For these reasons, we must accelerate the pace of change, work harder and better to move towards the vision we all aspire to. It is possible. We are capable as a nation of achieving these bold and ambitious, but realistic objectives.
When we unite and work together, we can achieve miracles. Our history is testament to this. Our plan to eliminate poverty and inequality rests on six pillars:
- Unite all South Africans around a common programme to fight poverty and inequality and to foster a spirit of unity.
But this will remain a hollow call unless we can improve the lives of young black people.
To promote social cohesion, the commission proposes that the preamble to the Constitution be displayed in all workplaces and schools and that all South Africans are encouraged to learn at least one indigenous African language.
We also propose ways to improve the efficacy of redress measures such as black economic empowerment and employment equity.
- Active citizenry. Working individually and collectively with others in the community, citizens have a critical role to play in their own development and in the development of our country. The idea that people sit back and wait for government to deliver is neither feasible nor consistent with "people-centred" development.
Citizens and communities have a responsibility to hold their leaders accountable for their actions. It is up to every single one of us to hold our leaders responsible for implementation of the plan.
- Growing an inclusive economy. Without faster and more inclusive economic growth, it will not be possible to deliver on the objectives that we have set for ourselves.
We need this to help pay for the development of capabilities such as education and infrastructure to improve the life chances of our people. The main change we seek is an economy that is more labour absorbing. We need to create more jobs and make progress in broadening ownership of the economy.
Our economy is caught in a low- growth trap. To reverse this, we require higher investment, better skills, rising savings and greater levels of competitiveness. We do not suffer a poverty of ideas; our weakness is in implementation.
We need to improve coordination within government and with other social partners to boost investment and employment. The plan also identifies a deficit in trust between business, labour and government that needs to be reversed if we are to build this economy.
The main target in respect of the economy is to raise employment by 11-million to 24-million by 2030. This will require an extraordinary effort.
- The urgent need to build the capabilities of both people and the state. For some, capabilities might be adequate nutrition or a bus to get to a place of work.
For others, it might be a college certificate to boost the chances of getting a job.
Across the country, capabilities cover things like what broadband speed we would require, the amount of energy we would need to power a growing economy, port capacity to support a diversified economy or the water supply that meets the needs of households, industry and agriculture.
- A capable and developmental state that is professional, competent and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
We seek a professional civil service that can weather changes in political administrations. The plan is for all South Africans and it cannot therefore focus on electoral cycles.
Building a capable and developmental state means building the capacity of the state to effectively implement its key priorities and programmes. The tendency to outsource everything, including at times, our thinking, must end.
- Responsibilities of leadership throughout society to work together to solve our problems. South Africa's progress in navigating the transition from apartheid to democracy was built on the ability of leaders to put aside narrow sectarian interests in favour of national interest, leaders who were able to put aside short-term political agendas for long-term benefit.
Cabinet, led by the President, will consider this plan, adopt the key recommendations of the plan and set in motion a focused programme to implement the plan.
This is not just a plan for government. There are actions and responsibilities for business, labour, civil society and individuals.
We have an opportunity to construct a future we all want.
We must not squander this opportunity.
- Manuel is Minister for National Planning. This is an edited version of a speech delivered yesterday in Parliament where he released the National Development Plan 2030.
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MorenaWaPolelo
Might it be that tenders get in the way of the objective of feeding children?+++++++++++++++++++++++++++I
Its the tenders Sir
Despite massive progress since 1994, on the present trajectory, we will not achieve our target of eliminating poverty and reducing inequality by 2030.
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It is true but we must work harder and try harder to achieve these targerts Sir.
We do not suffer a poverty of ideas; our weakness is in implementation.
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Get rid of the of the red tape and allow Professional to do their Jobs. also get rid of the Modern Comrade in the public service.
The tendency to outsource everything, including at times, our thinking, must end.
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This is a self serving get rich quick skeem of tenderism that has retarted growth, public service can carry out some of the work that they are outsourcing. In some municipalities your have Project Managers managing Project Managers
I note with concern that there is nothing on HIV, Anyway I hope the President understands this throughly and my comrades in the ANCYL have read this. Lets roll our sleevs and get to work SA.
ro
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mafungwashe
Corruption has poisoned many minds,including the people who have authority to enforce the policies that can uproot it,and uplift the lives of the masses.Well we must not loose hope for the better but this is a mamorth task that needs committed people,who are apparently very few*DO YOU THINK THE COMRADES WILL GIVE UP THEIR UNDUE WEALTH/LOOTING STATE RESOURCES THAT EASILY??????Report Abuse
MorenaWaPolelo
mafungwasheDO YOU THINK THE COMRADES WILL GIVE UP THEIR UNDUE WEALTH/LOOTING STATE RESOURCES THAT EASILY??????
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I dont think they will Chief!! But we must make them!!!! Force them to loose the power and somehow the is our time to eat syndrome will die!!
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Pointman
As previous bloggers said - corruption and incompetence needs to be tackled first. Those who seek wealth through political patronage, do not create jobs but hamper true entrepreneurs efforts to build our society. Also populist nonsense like nationalisation will serve the interest of the few.Report Abuse
KazakstanDJ
The major driving force should be ACTIVE CITIZINERY, we cannot rely on the current leadership to oversee this plan to the end, they have proven to us that they are incapable of getting over their petty political squables.If we work together as to firstly get rid of these self serving Chalatans, we might be on our way to great things.
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DJWinner
I still mantain my point that Trevor Manual should be the President of South Africa, not Mothlante and Zuma that people are fighting for. Manual is our only hope in this country, Mothlante only talks about soccer. He should be the minister of sport....Report Abuse
MorenaWaPolelo
DJWinnerI still mantain my point that Trevor Manual should be the President of South Africa, not Mothlante and Zuma that people are fighting for. Manual is our only hope in this country, Mothlante only talks about soccer. He should be the minister of sport....
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We will have to change the policy of the movement for that Sir, we wanted the samething but found out after paging through some constitution of our movement he was compromised Sir.
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lindsay
@djwinnerhuh?(with open mouth in disbelief)
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Hail
A better life for all was ANC 's song time ago and it never happen now is a better future for all. I am not convinced. As long as the fat cats are still feeding themseves from the tax payer 's money, as long as they still sitting on the top chairs , as long as they are so selfish and arrogant thinking is about them than serving the people we going no where.Report Abuse
Sinudeity_
The biggest problem we have in South Africa, is the ANC. Ineffective, corrupt and incompetent leadership. Then we have the unions. Especially SADTU. South Africa's dont teach union. Thereafter, the protests. Buuurn down more than what they are asking for. When its protesting time, these folks are very active citizenry. But the rest of the year, not so much. A group promising to make a province ungovernable, is working against South Africa. Blocking the highway, so people cant get to work is working against South Africa.Anyways Trevor, it all seems really nice on paper. But this is merely just another ANC "promise". Delivery is where it counts.
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