Latest news with #NationalDevelopmentPlan2030
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Let's have a National Dialogue on ‘revitalised reconciliation' and closing the wealth gap
President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcements on convening a National Dialogue have elicited both enthusiasm and scepticism. The enthusiasts believe the dialogue can engage citizens in 'defining a clear vision and establishing a unifying programme that inspires new national hope'. The sceptics worry that the dialogue will be 'talk for talk's sake', a multimillion-rand generation of hot air. I propose that the dialogue should focus on the socioeconomic dimensions and material substance of reconciliation. It should identify projects and programmes that would close the vast gap between the wealthy and the poor. This is not a radical idea: it's consistent with the National Development Plan 2030. Here's the radical part: the dialogue should not aim to generate more plans for government action. Instead, it should challenge wealthy individuals, communities and companies to take some responsibility for addressing the crisis of inequality. To this end, the dialogue should not be a conversation among the political elite and intellectuals. It should provide a platform that prioritises and elevates the voice of poor communities. Getting the basics right Several countries, including South Africa, have a rich history of national dialogues, conducted in various ways and for different purposes. While some of them have indeed been a waste of time, others have been fruitful. Key lessons can be drawn from these experiences. For a National Dialogue to be productive, the following conditions must be met: The dialogue must have a clear purpose and focus; It must have concrete objectives; It must be designed to generate decisions or actionable recommendations; It must have mechanisms for accountability and implementation with respect to the recommendations; and There must be an agreed-upon process for building consensus among diverse views. These conditions must be established at the outset. Without them, the dialogue will only generate a lot of noise. It will end with a whimper, not a bang. A meaningful National Dialogue is not a tea party, chat room or academic seminar. It is a political means to political ends. The anticipated outcomes must be substantively worthwhile, and the dialogue must be designed to achieve those outcomes. We got it right previously Our own history is replete with examples of dialogues that met these conditions. In the 1950s, the ANC led a campaign to gather the dreams and demands of millions of people, culminating in the adoption of the Freedom Charter in 1955. For decades, the Freedom Charter served as a progressive vision and a mobilising tool in the struggle for a nonracial and democratic dispensation. In the early 1990s, the formal negotiations to end apartheid were accompanied by a multiplicity of dialogues. These dialogues were formal and informal, top-down and bottom-up, within and between political parties, and encompassed large swathes of civil society and the public. The outcome was the interim Constitution of 1993, which marked the death of minority rule. At the same time, there were numerous sectoral dialogues aimed at developing new national policies and laws. Here, too, political parties, civil society groups and members of the public debated ideas for post-apartheid policy on defence, policing, education, health, land and other areas of governance. All these dialogues were successful because they had concrete objectives, they were well designed to achieve those objectives, and they had tangible and enduring outputs. Whither the new National Dialogue? Some of the proposed objectives for the forthcoming National Dialogue seem misplaced. A National Dialogue will not solve critical problems like crime, corruption and poor service delivery. It will not magically unfreeze the deadlocked 'social compact' negotiations in Nedlac. And it cannot solve the government's failure to implement its priorities, policies and plans. Nor, in a well-established democracy, is a National Dialogue the best vehicle for identifying government priorities. These priorities are determined through regular elections that entail a robust National Dialogue and provide a mandate for governance. Through ongoing dialogue in Parliament, the priorities are translated into legislation and policies. Ramaphosa wants the National Dialogue to forge ' a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and develop a new national ethos and common value system'. We will need to be more focused and targeted than this. Our Constitution already provides a shared vision, national ethos and common value system. My point is not that our Constitution, elections, parliaments and other dialogue mechanisms are perfect. Rather, the point is that a National Dialogue will not transcend or overcome the imperfections. A National Dialogue for revitalised reconciliation Thirty years ago we had a tough conversation on reconciliation. The outcomes were inspirational: the new Constitution, Parliament, flag and anthem; the integration of government and liberation armies into new security services; the racial integration of schools and universities; the formal outlawing of discrimination; and much more. The problem is that this conversation died before the job was complete. South Africa remains mired in gross inequality and socioeconomic division, with class barriers still coinciding with race. This is a shameful betrayal of the millions of people who are unemployed, hungry and beset by criminality. The envisaged National Dialogue should revitalise the conversation on reconciliation. It should focus on the material substance and socioeconomic dimensions of reconciliation. The primary objective would be to identify ways to close the gap between the wealthy and the poor. This dialogue should not be a discussion among elites. It should put the poor, the unemployed and the marginalised at the centre of the conversation. It should offer some dignity to people whose daily lives often lack dignity. It should be designed to give those who lack a political voice a platform to speak and amplify their concerns and aspirations. This will have important implications for the venues, timing, languages and facilitation of the dialogue. The dialogue should not be geared towards talking to the government and setting an agenda for government action. The National Development Plan 2030 already constitutes an ambitious and well-thought out plan to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality. Why should we have a National Dialogue about this decade-old plan? The government must just get on with implementation! Rather than talking to the government, the National Dialogue should be organised as a challenge to wealthy individuals, communities and corporations: what are you doing about the crisis of poverty and inequality? What can you do about this crisis? By 'wealthy', I do not mean only the super-rich. If we view 'wealthy' in relation to the vast majority of extremely poor people, then middle-class communities are undoubtedly wealthy. Orientating the dialogue in this way would avoid a lot of moaning and groaning about government failures. It would avoid hot air, pious speeches and intellectualising. It would avoid reiterating points already contained in existing government policies and plans. It would give agency to the poor. It would generate meaningful action and empowering partnerships. Designing and running the dialogue proposed here would be politically and technically more challenging than running a series of conventional conferences and seminars. But a country that organised Codesa and the National Peace Accord structures is surely up to the task. DM
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Bearing The Brunt Of War: UNICEF Chief Meets Some Of Sudan's 700,000 Child Refugees Crossing Into Chad
23 June 2025 In neighbouring Chad, children make up 61 per cent of the 860,000 Sudanese refugees and a staggering 68 per cent of the 274,000 Chadian returnees – that's over 700,000 young lives uprooted by violence. Chad, already one of the world's poorest countries, has the fourth-highest child mortality rate in the world, despite significant progress in recent years. The Government of Chad and humanitarian partners have been providing support, but the migration crisis remains overwhelming: measles and malnutrition are spreading, the risk of Sudan's cholera outbreak spilling into Chad remains high. Only one in three children are enrolled in school and essential services are stretched to the brink. Horrific memories UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell concluded a three-day visit to Chad on Monday, where she met with refugee children and families displaced by the fighting and chaos across the Sudanese border. ' Hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable children are bearing the brunt of both the war in Sudan and the lack of essential services for those who have fled to Chad,' Russell said. In eastern Chad, Ms. Russell 'met women and children who arrived with little but the horrific memories they carry' and heard their stories of killings, mass rapes and homes burned to the ground. She visited families newly arrived in Adré, an overwhelmed border town now hosting six refugees for every resident. Russell also met President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to reaffirm UNICEF's long-term commitment to Chad and discuss support for the country's newly launched National Development Plan 2030. ' The people of Chad have shown extraordinary generosity,' she said. 'But they cannot face this crisis alone. We must stand in solidarity with them – and with the children of Sudan – by strengthening national systems and communities on the frontlines.' Ramping up response In Adré and surrounding areas, UNICEF-supported teams have vaccinated thousands of children, provided safe drinking water to tens of thousands, established child-friendly spaces and set up services for survivors of gender-based violence. The agency is also working closely with Chadian authorities to scale up system-wide investments in health, including polio vaccination campaigns, as well as education and social protection. But urgent funding gaps remain. Of the $114 million required for UNICEF's 2025 humanitarian response in Chad, only 34 per cent has been secured.
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Salga looking for ideas to help municipalities despite solution already offered
Outa have offering a free service delivery reporting app to municipalities for three years, but only one metro accepted. The largest municipalities across South Africa are on the hunt for new ideas to solve service delivery challenges. An Intercity Innovation Challenge was launched last week with two core themes in mind — township tech transformation and intelligent service delivery. Spearheaded by the South African Local Government Association (Salga), assistance with the project will be provided by business incubator specialists and tertiary institutions. Tech solutions for municipalities The search for ideas will focus on the Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Cape Town, Buffalo City, Mangaung, eThekwini and Nelson Mandela Bay municipalities. The initiative plans to pair enhanced service delivery and digital technologies with the values and goals of the G20, National Development Plan 2030 and Integrated Urban Development Framework. 'This national initiative aims to chiefly surface community-powered, tech-enabled solutions that promote inclusive development and foster innovation, improve public service delivery and management decision-making,' stated Salga. The Innovation Hub, Innovate Durban and Wits University's Tshimologong Precinct will be judging the ideas based on challenge-specific criteria. The innovation challenge is a spin-off of a similar project that has been running in Johannesburg for several years. Last October, the City of Johannesburg offered R1 million for the best way to fix the city, but no winners have been made public to date. Two specific challenges The township tech transformation challenge will be a call for solutions to infrastructure, unemployment and limited digital access in informal settlements. Submissions must be innovative, original, feasible, scalable and demonstrate the potential for social impact through clear presentation. Submissions for the intelligent service delivery challenge must meet the same criteria but must address 'reactive, inefficient, or disconnected' service delivery. 'Intelligent service delivery means using real-time data, predictive maintenance, user feedback, and automation to provide services more efficiently, transparently, and sustainably,' stated Salga. Winning ideas will receive funding and early-stage developmental support, which will include technical and business mentorship. Existing Outa solution Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) CEO Wayne Duvenage considered the Salga initiative a 'good idea', as he believes the body was mandated to assist local government interests. 'As it is, many municipalities outsource their services to external consultants, due to their incompetence on matters such as finance, engineering, road maintenance, etc,' Duvenage told The Citizen. However, Duvenage explained that Outa had been offering a free service delivery reporting app to Salga and the same metros for the past three years. 'This was a live, geolocation incident reporting tool which enables residents to report potholes, traffic light malfunctions, water leaks, sewage leaks, signage issues, street lights, etc,' he said. He added that this data would be fed directly into the municipality's enterprise resource planning systems, but that only 10 small municipalities and the City of Cape Town had taken up the free offer. 'They just didn't want to take it up. I think it may also have something to do with civil society owning the process instead of themselves,' suggested Duvenage. 'The app would have allowed us as civil society to benchmark cities with the best levels of repair times, and we believe the poorly managed cities did not want that, so they simply didn't respond,' he added. Intellectual property retained The window for idea submissions will be open between 13 June and 15 August, with an announcement on winning ideas scheduled for November. Participants retain ownership of their intellectual property, including current government employees whose employment contracts take precedence over the project terms and conditions. '[We aim] to unlock the under-leveraged innovation ecosystem by supporting low-cost, high-impact solutions that use technology to improve quality of life, generate income, or expand access to essential services,' stated Salga. Despite the snub, the Outa CEO hoped the innovation initiative would be fruitful and provide results for municipalities. 'Hopefully, Salga's Intercity Innovation Challenge will be able to introduce their own reporting tool or solution in this regard,' Duvenage concluded. NOW READ: JRA allocated just 1% of amount needed to fix Johannesburg's roads
Mid East Info
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Big 5 Construct South Africa returns for its 12th edition, catering to the country's $125 billion construction market
South Africa's construction industry is e xpected to record an average annual growth of 3.5% from 2026 to 2028, supported by public and private sector investments in infrastructure Inaugural South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo supports the country's development spending to boost port, rail, road infrastructure and water and sanitation The event features over 250 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, highlighting the latest products, services, systems and solutions to support the delivery of mega projects in the country South Africa's government has committed more than $50 billion over the next decade towards construction and infrastructure development (source: Construct South Africa ). Aligning with the country's ambitious plan, the 12 th edition of Big 5 Construct South Africa and the inaugural South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will take place from 18 – 20 June 2025 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Construction and infrastructure development are key to South Africa's economic growth, social progress and sustainability. With a $125 billion construction market and a $193 billion infrastructure market, the sectors support the National Development Plan 2030 and National Infrastructure Plan 2050 goals (sources: ABiQ). The inaugural South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo directly addresses these pressing needs. 'The launch of South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo alongside the 12 th edition of Big 5 Construct South Africa reflects the ongoing transformation of the country's construction and infrastructure landscape,' said Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President – Construction, dmg events. 'These events align with national development priorities by enabling knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships that will accelerate the delivery of mega projects, boost economic growth and enhance quality of life. As South Africa ramps up investment in construction, infrastructure, water and sanitation, the events will drive international collaboration to support these critical initiatives.' International exhibitors drive industry momentum This year, visitors will have the opportunity to network and do business with a diverse line-up of exhibitors from over 20 countries, including Bahrain, Malaysia, Spain, Türkiye, the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Poland and more. Over 250 exhibitors will showcase unique products and services under diverse construction sectors, including concrete & cement, technology, building interiors & finishes, heavy construction equipment, machinery & vehicles, alongside the new sector for this year, power infrastructure & water management infrastructure. Building on the industry's growing prominence in the region, the exhibition also welcomes several prominent first-time exhibitors, including Bostik, a global leader in smart adhesive solutions; Muziset Fiberglass Sheeting, manufacturer of high-quality fibreglass sheeting; We Lift Solutions, provider of advanced lifting and construction equipment; Stanley Black & Decker South Africa, supplier of trusted tools and industrial solutions; and Olympic Paints, known for premium yet affordable solutions and AI-powered colour tools, among others. 'Big 5 Construct South Africa offers a powerful platform to connect with key decision-makers, showcase our innovations, and explore new market opportunities,' said Keneilwe Nawane, Commercial Director, DeWalt South Africa. 'As a first-time exhibitor, we are excited to be part of such a dynamic event that brings together the region's top construction players and drives industry growth.' CPD-certified sessions empower industry professionals Big 5 Construct South Africa and South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo offer several knowledge-sharing opportunities across a diverse range of content programmes, allowing visitors to meet with key decision-makers, government entities and industry leaders. Through CPD-certified sessions, the event empowers industry professionals to share knowledge and advance their careers. Sessions at Big 5 Talks will provide practical insights across core industry themes such as project management, architecture & design, technology and sustainability, delivered by expert speakers. This year, the event will also host the Infra360 Talks and Water360 Talks, offering actionable insights into South Africa's most pressing infrastructure and water challenges. Covering critical themes from smart infrastructure, mega projects and public-private partnerships to water efficiency, smart management systems and climate resilience, these sessions will spotlight sustainable strategies, emerging technologies and investment opportunities shaping the future of urban development and resource management in the region. Exclusive access to sustainable infrastructure and water solutions New in 2025, the pay-to-attend South Africa Infrastructure & Water Forum will include insightful discussions led by thought leaders, policy makers and innovators on themes, including sustainable infrastructure, water projects, unlocking investment and project partnerships. 'As the region continues to prioritize infrastructure and economic transformation, Big 5 Construct South Africa and South Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo will allow attendees to reconnect with the industry and facilitate growth and advancement for their ongoing and upcoming projects,' concluded Heijmans. Registration is now open for Big 5 Construct South Africa and South Africa Infrastructure and Water Expo, co-located with WoodEX for Africa and Transport Evolution Africa, with free admission to trade and industry professionals over 18.
Zawya
11-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Redefining economic growth: South Africa's budget blueprint for reform
A national budget is often dismissed as a series of promises and colossal figures recited by a country's Minister of Finance. Yet, for many South Africans, the annual budget represents a transformative instrument that can be used to redress historical injustices, create job opportunities and secure a more equitable future. A 'good budget' tackles healthcare, housing, education and infrastructure, balancing industry-specific incentives with broad-based grants. Although this year's national budget has been marred by delays and fundamental disagreements over financing methods, its significance remains undiminished. A budget of redress for citizens South Africa's post-apartheid journey has been defined by a mission to heal a deeply divided society. Early efforts like the Reconstruction and Development Programme invested billions of rands in housing, healthcare and education, resulting in the construction of millions of homes and marked improvements in basic services. Today, the National Development Plan 2030 continues this legacy with ambitious allocations such as R259-billion for education in the 2023/24 budget. These funds are earmarked for upgrading infrastructure, training teachers and expanding early childhood development. Despite these substantial investments, nearly 63% of South Africans – around 38-million people – live below the upper-middle-income poverty line. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, fluctuating between 32% and 33.5%. A renewed focus on unlocking human potential could complement ongoing redress initiatives, setting the stage for more sustainable progress. Economic mobility: investing in human potential A nation's budget should lift its citizens out of poverty and set them on a path to economic contribution. Economic mobility is a cornerstone of sustainable development, and South Africa's fiscal plan reflects this ambition through significant investments in education and job creation. Initiatives like the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and the Youth Employment Service programme aim to equip young people with the skills necessary to break the cycle of poverty. However, modest GDP growth has limited job-creation impact: a 1% increase in GDP generates only 30,000 to 50,000 new jobs – far too few to absorb a rapidly growing labour force. International examples reinforce the need for robust human capital investment. Singapore's SkillsFuture programme and Germany's dual education system illustrate how focused educational investments can yield measurable economic outcomes. In South Africa, a country where youth unemployment is pervasive and the Gini coefficient (a measure of income inequality) soars to 63, financing practical skills transfer programmes is imperative. Such efforts would ensure that citizens are job-ready or able to launch businesses, enhancing South Africa's global competitiveness. Competitive advantage: strategic investments for global relevance With an estimated GDP of US$405bn, South Africa's economy is modest compared to powerhouses like China (US$17tn), India (US$3.7tn), Brazil (US$2.3tn) and Russia (US$2.2tn). South Africa contributes roughly 1.4% of the combined GDP of the original Brics nations. To secure a meaningful role in the global economy, the country must strategically invest in sectors that build a competitive advantage – especially manufacturing, industrial capabilities and technological innovation, with renewables emerging as a key area. China's meteoric rise offers a blueprint for transformation. Over the past 40 years, China shifted from low-income status to becoming the world's second-largest economy by embracing a series of reforms. In contrast, many of South Africa's industrial and special economic zones remain underutilised 'white elephants', while small business initiatives often remain more rhetorical than effective. A decisive reallocation of budget resources towards structural reforms and industrialisation could spark medium- to long-term growth and enhance global competitiveness. Economic growth: rethinking fiscal priorities Recent projections by the World Bank suggest South Africa's GDP may grow by 1.8% this year, possibly rising to 2% in the medium term, despite government targets of 3%. At such modest growth rates, the transition to high-income status could take as long as 60 years. Meanwhile, global indices consistently rank South Africa as a laggard in competitiveness. Social grants have served as a vital safety net for over 28-million citizens, yet they cannot drive long-term economic expansion. The recent budget impasse – sparked by plans to increase VAT by 2% to fund the Social Relief of Distress programme, among others – underscores the risks of a consumptive budgeting approach. Data from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) reveals that just 100 companies contribute 90% of the nation's tax revenue, indicating an overreliance on taxing a narrow base. South Africa must urgently diversify its revenue sources and shift from its reliance on taxing its way out of sticky situations. To mitigate these risks, the National Treasury must reconfigure fiscal financing by expanding revenue streams beyond taxes. Proposals include increasing tariffs, licensing fees and service charges and establishing a dedicated revenue-generation programme. Such a programme, modelled after reforms at Sars, could initially generate an estimated R500bn over the Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework, potentially rising to R1tn annually by the fifth year and boosting total revenue to R3tn. Budgeting for the future we want South Africa's budget should be far more than a record of fiscal balances; it must serve as a strategic roadmap for national renewal. Shifting from consumptive social spending to targeted investments in innovation and industrialisation represents a promising way forward.
