| Political Overview
The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation's (DPME) Budget Policy Statement outlines the department’s plans for the current financial year and reflects on the government's performance in the implementation of developmental goals. These goals are embedded in the National Development Plan (NDP), and in the seven priority areas for the 6th administration as outlined in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019 to 2024. The mandate of the DPME is one of the strategic pillars of a capable, ethical and developmental state and contributes to the catalytic and strategic potential of the country’s planning system to advance developmental goals.In almost 30 years of South Africa’s democracy, there have been significant milestones achieved including the expansion of our social protection systems, the increased access to basic education and healthcare services, the improved responsiveness of the criminal justice system and strengthening of diplomatic relations across Africa and the world.Priority One: Capable, Ethical and Developmental State.The DPME is implementing the National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service, as one of the critical interventions aimed at moving the government towards a single public service that is capable and responsive to deliver key services to our people, and provide strategic leadership at the political and administrative interface. In this context, the DPME supports the President in the assessment of Annual Performance Plans (APPs) of the executive to ensure that service delivery is an integral aspect of their priorities as the end of the MTSF for this cycle approaches.The National Steering Committee for Integrated Planning contributes to unblocking development obstacles across government. This Committee evaluates the One Plans by districts to coordinate participation of all spheres of government in the implementation processes of the District Development Model (DDM). The DDM aims to put policy and legislative systems into action to promote localization and improve service delivery.As part of building state accountability and reinforcing ethical values, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) was developed to facilitate comprehensive programmes of action to address both the preventative and reactive measures in the fight against corruption.The DPME developed the Policy Framework for Integrated Planning which was adopted by the Cabinet for implementation in 2022 aimed at institutionalizing planning to address gaps such as the fragmentation of planning, inadequate capabilities, improve coordination and modernize the planning system. The department further developed the Budget Prioritisation Framework (BPF) to facilitate the alignment of planning priorities and the national budget process on an annual basis. The BPF is a key input in the budget deliberations and the Medium-Term Expenditure Committee, which makes the recommendations on funding allocations for the country.Priority Two: Economic Transformation and Job Creation.There has been significant progress in implementing the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) in 2022 including the establishment of the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) in 2022, and the improved Road to Rail performance between 2016 and 2022 with approximately 24.62 million tonnes of volumes that have been transported through rail networks in the same period.
The rollout of critical infrastructure is underway in water, sanitation, energy and transport. Projects worth R134.2 billion are in procurement, an additional R232.3 billion worth of projects are in construction, and R3.9 billion worth of projects have been completed.Priority Three: Education, Skills and Health.The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is steadily increasing access to Post School Education and Training (PSET) making it possible for students from poor backgrounds to attend TVET colleges and public Universities. As part of the SA Connect programme, collaborations are formed to upscale connectivity in our schools and create a conducive environment for learners to embrace technological innovations.The National Health Insurance Bill has undergone public hearings and received its classification as a desirable Bill by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and is receiving attention at the National Assembly. Above all, there is improvement in the life expectancy of both men and women in South Africa. The life expectancy in the country has steadily improved over the past three years between 64.38 years in 2021 to 64.88 years in 2023.Priority Four: Consolidating the Social Wage.Over the current MTSF the government has dedicated 59.2% of the consolidated non-interest spending to health, education, housing, social protection, transport, employment and local amenities. The Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD) has reached around 7.8 million people. The intervention forms part of an ongoing process aimed at introducing the basic income support for the most vulnerable.Priority Five: Social Cohesion and Safe Communities.There is an enlistment of 10 358 new SAPS recruits during 2022/23 against a target of 10 000 and the allocation of funding for recruitment of more police. The new recruits improve capacity in key specialized areas, including, inter alia, the Detective Service, Crime Intelligence and Public Order Policing.Priority Six: Spatial Integration, Human Settlements and Local Government.Through the Presidency Steering Committee on the DDM, the DPME is working with the National Treasury on the One Budget concept, focusing on spatial disaggregation of budgets and improving the efficiency of spending for greater impact of government investment.The DPME together with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, and other stakeholders have created the National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF).. In addition, the DPME developed the Geospatial Referencing Guidelines to ensure national and provincial Departments are able to provide basic spatial information in relation to their projects and programmes, in support of the NSDF and the DDM.Priority Seven: Building A better Africa and World.South Africa will continue to prioritize regional integration and multilateralism in the context of constantly changing geo-politics and economics. In this regard, we commit to contributing to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA)The country contributes to the rapid infrastructure development of Africa. President Ramaphosa is the Coordinating Champion and leads the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI) in which the DPME supports with coordination. South Africa is leading four projects including the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.Research reports and publications by the Department1. The DPME has commenced with the 30-Year Review Evidence Report to reflect, evaluate and document the democratic trajectory of government.2. The National Planning Commission (NPC) is conducting an assessment of the ten years of implementation of the NDP from 2012 to the end of 2022.3. The DPME conducted and completed four evaluations on Operations Phakisa, Land Restitution Evaluation Study,Government Flood Disaster Interventions, and the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP).Budget for DepartmentThe Department has achieved a clean audit for ten years in succession and registered an average performance of 80%. Department budget for the Financial Year 20232/2024: R475, 85 million
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