How SA can transform promises into tangible improvements for all

Daily Maverick

2 hours ago

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