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Daily Maverick
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
How SA can transform promises into tangible improvements for all
South Africans want to see tangible improvements in their daily lives. They want to know whether the government is focusing on the right priorities to move the country forward. Development Indicators (DIs), produced annually by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, provide a strategic evaluation of South Africa's development trajectory and the impact of public policies. Aligned with its vision of being a catalyst for the country's development goals, the department produces the Development Indicators to support informed public discourse and evidence-based policymaking. This not only promotes transparency but also positions monitoring and evaluation as a tool for advancing democracy by creating space for diverse views and public engagement in assessing the country's development and exploring future scenarios. As researchers at the Harvard Centre for International Development observe, 'Policy success for whom?' is a crucial question, as perceptions of progress often vary among stakeholders. The Development Indicators 2024 provide a long-term trend analysis up to 2024 and serve as a baseline for the seventh administration to support the implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029. The findings reaffirm the strategic focus of the Medium-Term Development Plan, of placing inclusive economic growth at the centre of government efforts. They also recognise that while the National Development Plan remains the country's long-term vision, its foundational assumptions have shifted significantly due to demographic changes including migration, the Covid-19 pandemic and global disruptions. It is therefore clear that processes for planning beyond 2030 need to be initiated. The findings are sobering. None of the high-level National Development Plan targets for reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality are currently on track to be attained by 2030. Of the 85 Development Indicators reviewed, about 13 (15%) are on track, while 31 (36%) show promising progress. Population growth has outpaced economic expansion and the recent global disruptions have necessitated revision of medium-term growth projections. The global context is that only 17% of Sustainable Development Goals targets are on track, with a third either stalled or regressing. Higher, inclusive and sustained economic growth is essential for shifting our development trajectory. We must accelerate economic reforms to surpass the 3% growth threshold if we are to meaningfully change outcomes. Inclusive growth must translate into more jobs, rising household incomes and improved wellbeing for all. To reduce household dependence on the social assistance programmes, the country must achieve stronger economic growth that will create jobs and income-generating opportunities and enable more people to participate in the economy and secure their livelihoods. Nonetheless, progress in key areas offers strategic opportunities to accelerate impact: Infrastructure development: Out of 268 priority infrastructure projects, 28 have been completed and about 80 are under implementation across sectors including energy, water, transport and housing. Budget 2025 allocates close to R1-trillion over 2024-2027, to be implemented through state-owned enterprises, municipalities, provinces, national departments and public-private partnerships. This requires both initiating new projects and maintaining existing ones. Labour market transformation: South Africa has built a more diverse labour force, with progressive labour laws advancing representation across race, gender, age and skill levels. Public employment programmes: The Presidential Employment Stimulus has provided work and livelihood support to approximately 2.2 million people since October 2020. The Expanded Public Works Programme created 923,718 work opportunities in 2024/25. Digital transformation: South Africa enjoys near-universal mobile network coverage, with the rollout of 5G gaining traction. Continued reforms in the telecommunications sector and digital public infrastructure initiatives must help to broaden connectivity and inclusion. International relations: South Africa remains an active player on global platforms such as BRICS+, the African Continental Free Trade Area, the G20 and others. Environmental sustainability: Greenhouse gas emissions remain within the country's Nationally Determined Contributions targets, and the marine and terrestrial conservation areas continue to expand. Land reform: 3 million hectares had been transferred (78.1% of the National Development Plan target). Focus must now shift to enhancing land claims processes, post-settlement support and the diversified use of land, including agriculture, tourism, housing and cultural preservation. Public finances: Gross tax revenue and compliance have improved, accompanied by sustained progress in audit outcomes at both the national and provincial levels. Education: Near-universal access to early childhood development for children aged 5-6 and basic education for ages 7-15 has been achieved, with gender parity across most educational levels. However, attention must now focus on improving school infrastructure, the quality of education and expanding the capacity of universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions to meet the growing demand and skills needs of industry. Health: Positive gains in life expectancy and reductions in maternal and child mortality point to improved health outcomes. Modernisation of the public health system and the rollout of the next phase of the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan are among the critical next steps to bring South Africa on par with its BRICS+ peers on health outcomes. Basic services: More than 80% of households have access to electricity, clean water and sanitation. Ongoing efforts aim to expand access through annual household connections, especially in under-served areas, while also ensuring quality of service delivery in local municipalities. Social protection: Expanded social assistance has helped to cushion the poor and enhance human capability. However, long-term reliance on grants must be reduced through employment-led growth. Efforts are being made to accelerate the implementation of key priorities as outlined in the Medium-Term Development Plan to build an inclusive economy and achieve National Development Plan ambitions. The Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029 outlines priority areas for consolidating progress while addressing persistent development challenges. Strategic interventions include: Implementing the Energy Action Plan, Digital Public Infrastructure Roadmap, and Freight Logistics Roadmap to deliver on their objectives. Modernising mining, agriculture and manufacturing, and promoting new growth sectors such as services. Enhancing export diversification and trade resilience. Leveraging international relations to attract investment, expand trade, tourism and access technology. The success of South Africa's economic growth strategy will be tested by the country's ability to maintain its status as Africa's largest economy; enhance the global competitiveness of key sectors and urban regions (e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban); generate inclusive employment growth; and reduce long-term dependence on social support, particularly among working-age adults. Operation Vulindlela has unlocked critical reforms. The second wave of structural reforms are taking off, focusing on improving local government, expanding digital public infrastructure to broaden connectivity and inclusion, and building city regions that foster dynamic, business-friendly environments. Accelerating inclusive growth is critical to ensuring that no one is left behind. This means creating jobs, raising household incomes and improving well-being for all citizens — especially for historically marginalised groups. Achieving this requires economic redress, and equitable access to opportunities and spatial transformation, among others. Prioritising empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities should be central to these efforts. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation continues to support government institutions in translating policy intentions into development results. The department does this through coordination of planning across government, monitoring of implementation and supporting performance management of ministers and heads of departments (HoDs) to hold them accountable for delivering results. Where service delivery fails, we intervene through frontline support to ensure that community concerns are swiftly resolved. We want to strengthen consequence management for poor performance and service delivery breakdowns. And we want to strengthen collaboration with social partners (business, labour and civil society) to foster a culture of service delivery excellence. DM
IOL News
31-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Is the GNU losing rhythm on climate action? A reflection of the strategic development plan
Yuri Ramkissoon, Senior Manager Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidential Climate Commission. Image: Supplied The 2025 -2030 Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), which was published earlier this year, should for all intents and purpose serve as last-mile five-year implementation blueprint towards the realisation of National Development Plan (NDP) Vison 2030. Though a nobly thought-out expression of legislative and policy priorities for the Government of National Unity (GNU), the MTDP remains a rebrand of its forebearer, the Mid-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) but equally a useful platform for the state machinery to deliver a common programme of nation building, economic growth and societal development. Most importantly it's a tool to guide short and medium-term plans and the allocation of public resources. A perfunctory review of the MTDP shows that there is cognisance of the need for urgent need for climate action and also a need for a just transition, whilst maintaining socioeconomic development. The MTDP deals with the just transition under Strategic Priority One, which aims to drive inclusive growth and job creation, articulated through the lens of energy security and an energy transition. The MTDP supports the just transition principles, economic diversification and skills development. The MTDP makes specific mention of the just transition as part the country's sustainable development commitments. Its states that the application of the Just Transition Framework, Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and Implementation Plan 'will be prioritised and accelerated,' noting that 'climate change is a shared global challenge with significant short–, medium-, and long-term socio-economic implications.' But in prioritising the country's response to climate change, the MTDP misses the mark on the need for integration of the just transition into all aspects of the country's development – noting that climate change is not just an energy problem and that decarbonisation will not only impact the energy sector, but the whole society. It appears like the coordination of the transition will remain fragmented unless it is seen as a priority itself with unifying goals and targets that incorporate various departments and sectors. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Coordination and collaboration to achieve just transition outcomes remains minimal. In October 2024, the Presidential Climate Commission examined the strategic plans (SPs) and annual performance plans (APPs) of 16 government departments to assess if they had embedded goals, targets, and measurable outputs to achieve just transition outcomes. At a broad level, the analysis noted that climate change is a challenge that will impact departments and sectors. While climate change was better integrated into APPs, this integration was limited to specific outcomes and not streamlined across various relevant outcomes or plans, as would be required for a holistic, coordinated response to climate change and achievement of a just transition. Our climate and just transition goals and efforts remain neglected and underfunded, with the consequences painfully evident as our municipalities, which are now regularly battered by floods, and drought – with little support towards recovery or resilience. Supporting the institutional integrity, capacity, and resources of local government for adaptation and disaster response should be prioritised and remain a key focus of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) going forward. Government departments that deal with socio-economic development must make space for the inclusion of climate-related goals, funding, policies, outputs and more. While several departments such as Environment, Forestry and Fisheries; Mineral Resources and Energy; Science and Innovation highlighted environmental programmes in their budget votes, these were often siloed and did not go far enough in advancing the just transition. More worrying is that departments whose mandates are central to delivering a just transition such as Employment and Labour, Social Development, etc. have not framed their programmes through a climate or just transition lens. Our development pathway should transcend medieval economic growth philosophies. The lived experiences of our people, and lessons from first movers in decarbonisation, have demonstrated that that a just transition will make our economy more resilient and strengthen our global competitiveness, and create opportunities to reduce poverty, inequality, and unemployment. South Africa passed the Climate Change Act and a comprehensive Just Transition Framework that acts as a blueprint for the just transition to companies, the State and civil society. However, unless just transition outcomes, are integrated meaningfully into the work of government and the private sector, it is unlikely that South Africa will achieve its emissions reductions targets through just means. As the current five-year term of the Commission draws to a close later this year, the PCC reaffirms its commitment to a just transition that leaves nobody behind. In the face of growing geopolitical uncertainty, widening inequality, and global poverty, we must remain steadfast in advancing our mission: to guide South Africa's transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future with integrity, inclusivity, and scientific rigor. Now more than ever, our collective efforts must ensure that the transition is not only ambitious but fundamentally just—placing people, especially the most vulnerable, at the heart of climate action to ensure sustainable socio-economic development. Yuri Ramkissoon, Senior Manager Monitoring and Evaluation at the Presidential Climate Commission. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT
Daily News Egypt
27-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, South Africa pledge to deepen development cooperation at G20 meeting
Egypt and South Africa have pledged to deepen their cooperation on development and align their perspectives on regional and global issues, Egypt's planning ministry said, following a meeting between the two countries' ministers on the sidelines of the G20 Development Ministerial Meetings. In a statement, the ministry said Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, met with Maropene Lydia Ramokgopa, South Africa's Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, during the meetings hosted and chaired by South Africa. Al-Mashat expressed Egypt's appreciation for the invitation to participate in the G20 meetings, where it has been a guest nation for the past five years. She affirmed Egypt's commitment to coordinating with South Africa during its G20 presidency to advance the restructuring of the global financial system and achieve tangible progress in development financing. The minister also commended South Africa's leadership for highlighting the development challenges facing the African continent. The two ministers emphasised the strategic importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in fostering economic growth and regional integration and called for closer cooperation to support its implementation. They also stressed the importance of expanding infrastructure projects across the continent, such as the Cairo–Cape Town Corridor, to drive development and boost competitiveness. Al-Mashat showcased Egypt's national structural reform programme and its flagship 'NWFE' programme for mobilising climate finance, noting that it was included, along with South Africa's national climate platform, in the final communiqué of the recent Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville. For her part, the South African minister praised Egypt's leadership in advancing development across Africa and amplifying the continent's voice in global forums. She commended Egypt's leadership of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), which the African Union recently extended until February 2026. Al-Mashat also welcomed the final ministerial declaration from the G20 meetings, which emphasised the need to broaden social protection systems, combat illicit financial flows, and prioritise domestic resource mobilisation to close development financing gaps.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Construction industry sees green shoots of growth off a low base - BER's Lemboe
South Africa's construction sector, long mired in stagnation and underperformance, is beginning to show green shoots of recovery off a low base, South Africa's construction sector, long mired in stagnation and underperformance, is beginning to show green shoots of recovery off a low base, according to Craig Lemboe, the deputy director at the Bureau for economic Research (BER) speaking at Construction Industry Business Breakfast held on Wednesday. While the industry remains well below pre-pandemic output levels and continues to suffer from weak capital investment and low business confidence, recent survey data suggests that "green shoots" may be taking root. Lemboe said for most of last year, saw the non residential sector was starting to show a little bit more growth and more potential than the residential sector. However, this was from a more eroded base as it's 50% smaller than what than what it was 10 years ago. "We also see from our civil contractors survey that activity, particularly among large contractors, is doing quite well. So there is this idea that we are starting to see some larger infrastructure projects to come on board, and that the contractors are starting to see this, both in terms of the current activity, but also in terms of the activity going forward," he said. South Africa was starting to see some larger infrastructure projects to come on board. Despite these promising indicators, Lemboe cautioned that systemic barriers persist. Long delays in municipal approvals, chronic late payments by public entities, and uncertainty around infrastructure funding continue to hamper sustained recovery. The Western Cape province stood out as a bright spot, with above-average construction activity and stronger investor sentiment. Still, nationally, overall building sector confidence remains low, with 75% of residential builders expressing dissatisfaction with prevailing conditions. Another positive to support growth ahead, was the Budget 3.0 announcement of R1.03 billion allocated for infrastructure. However, Lemboe said while it "is a welcome announcement, there are a number of caveats that we are very weary of at the BER." A large chunk of this spend is being filtered through state-owned enterprises, but there isn't a lot of clarity on where the income is going to come from, where the capital is going to come from, in order to find these projects. Also a portion of the funds comes through provinces and municipalities, and municipalities are known to be weak on capital expenditure. Ramokgopa Meanwhile, Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, also speaking at the event, said South Africa is accelerating plans to transform the country into a "construction site" through a sweeping infrastructure drive that aims to tackle unemployment, stimulate inclusive growth, and reduce the high cost of living, . Ramokgopa pointed to the government's Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for 2024–2029, which commits to deliver n the established investment pipeline. "Increasing public infrastructure spending requires stimulating private sector investment that will enable industrialisation and supporting job creating in the country," she said. The government has committed over R943.8 billion to public infrastructure over the medium term, with a strong emphasis on crowding in private investment through public-private partnerships. However, public infrastructure spending currently accounts for just 3.8% of GDP, well below the 10% target set. Ramokgopa said South Africa's national development was linked to that of the African continent. "Infrastructure must drive regional integration, promote and support industrialisation across Africa as a region. We are advancing collaboration and partnership in accelerating regional infrastructure projects through an African Union's presidential infrastructure champion initiative," she said BUSINESS REPORT
Saba Yemen
08-06-2025
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Social Affairs Minister inspects displaced persons, homeless, beggar care centers for Eid al-Adha
Sana'a – Saba: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Samir Baja'alah on Sunday conducted visits to several centers caring for displaced persons, the homeless (unaccompanied mentally ill), and beggars in Sana'a Governorate and the capital, Sana'a. During his visit to a center for displaced persons in Bani Hashish, accompanied by Undersecretary for Social Welfare Sector Yasser Sharaf al-Din and Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Mohammed al-Razza', Minister Baja'alah exchanged Eid al-Adha greetings with the displaced individuals. He directed that their needs be met and Eid gifts distributed to the children, emphasizing the Ministry's focus on displaced persons, with future plans for rehabilitation and empowerment projects to improve their livelihoods and self-reliance. Minister Baja'alah and Undersecretary Sharaf also reviewed the services provided by the National Program for the Care and Shelter of the Homeless (Unaccompanied Mentally Ill) at its main center in Sana'a. They distributed gifts to patients and inspected the facilities, including shelter, treatment, and nutrition services. The Minister commended the efforts of the center's staff and affirmed the Ministry's commitment to supporting the center's needs and humanitarian services, in line with leadership directives. Furthermore, Baja'alah inspected the conditions of residents at the al-Rafah Center for Social Care for the Homeless, which is part of the National Program to Address the Phenomenon of Begging in the Capital Sana'a. He presented Eid gifts to the residents and received updates from Program Executive Director Yasser Sharaf al-Din and al-Rafah Center Director Dr. Abdullah Nahshal on various aspects of care, including health, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment programs. The Minister of Social Affairs highlighted that these visits aim to check on the conditions of displaced persons, unaccompanied mentally ill individuals, and beggars in the ministry's shelters and specialized care centers, and to share the joy of the Eid holiday, thereby strengthening social solidarity, instilling principles of benevolence, and bringing smiles to their faces. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
