Medium Term Strategic Framework

 

​The adoption of the Medium Term Development

Plan (MTDP) 2024–2029 provides a clear

pathway for the 7th Administration to build an

inclusive society and deliver on the National

Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030's aspiration

for the elimination of poverty and the reduction

of unemployment and inequality. This MTDP 2024–2029 is an

output of broad research efforts, consultations with various

stakeholders across society and alignment with developmental

priorities.

Earlier, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and

Evaluation (DPME) produced a comprehensive 30-Year

Review Report of South Africa's democratic governance.

The report aptly captured some of the key developmental

interventions and challenges and helped shape the key

priorities for the 7th Administration. This data was supported

by the numerous research outputs by the National Planning

Commission (NPC) which serves as an independent advisory

body for the President. As a think tank, the NPC greatly

assists government and society with a wealth of research

outputs on the implementation of the NDP.

The DPME also conducted broad consultations with relevant

stakeholders to ensure that the final MTDP 2024–2029 reflects

the will of the people, is in line with the spirit of inclusivity,

and further enhances integrated planning in government. An

integrated planning system is crucial in nurturing a coherent

implementation programme of government and alignment

with key priorities. The country's planning system is vital

in building a capable, ethical and developmental state and

achieving our development goals. The DPME has made

important strides in strengthening integrated planning and

improving harmonisation of planning and synergies across

the state machinery.

Following an extensive diagnostic study on the state of

planning, the DPME, in consultation with stakeholders,

developed the Policy Framework for Integrated Planning

(PFIP) that was adopted by Cabinet for implementation in

2022. The policy framework and its implementation plan

build on progress made in institutionalising planning and

seek to address gaps such as the fragmentation of planning,

inadequate capabilities and ensure improved coordination

and the modernisation of the planning system towards

the achievement of development and better results. This

includes ensuring the mainstreaming of the rights of women,

youth and persons with disabilities in the planning system

to achieve an inclusive society and economy and leave no

one behind.

To institutionalise the MTDP 20242029, the DPME will also

be guiding the development of the Strategic Plans (SPs) and

Annual Performance Plans (APPs) of national and provincial

governments. This will be done through issuing guidelines

and circulars and assessing the draft institutional plans of

national departments for alignment with the priorities of the

7th Administration.

Building on the government-wide Electronic Quarterly

Performance Reporting System (eQPRS), the DPME has

initiated a process towards modernising and automating

planning. This is intended to improve the efficiency of the

planning system and alignment across different planning

instruments and use new technology, including artificial intelligence

(AI), more effectively in the planning system.

The evolution of the planning system in South Africa and

beyond has shown that planning without adequate resource

allocation has little impact in advancing the development

agenda. As a result, the DPME will develop the Budget Prioritisation

Framework (BPF) annually to facilitate the alignment

of planning priorities and the national budget process.

The MTDP 2024–2029 will be supported by an integrated

and robust monitoring system that will be underpinned by

the latest technologies. The DPME intends to track progress

in the implementation of the key indicators in real time and

produce bi-annual and mid-term reports to advise Cabinet

and the President on the performance of specific sectors.

Efforts are being made to establish a dashboard that will

give the President overall sight of the performance of

government. This will significantly assist in decision-making

and ensure the speedy resolution of bottlenecks in the implementation

process.

As part of DPME's reorientation to better support the priorities

of the 7th Administration, the Department will start a process

to update the National Evaluation Policy Framework (NEPF).

The new NEPF will inform the development of the next

National Evaluation Plan and the Research Agenda to cover

the period of the MTDP 20242029. We call on all stakeholders

to collaborate with the DPME and ensure that its priorities

and outcomes are realised.

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