By Cabinet Spokesperson Phumla Williams
Within the context of the prevailing global economic slowdown it is easy to get sucked into despair. While the global economic outlook remains cloudy, conditions in South Africa are far from the doom and gloom some seek to portray.
In his State of the Nation Address on February 11, President Jacob Zuma outlined the economic challenges confronting South Africa. He also reported on government action regarding the implementation of the Nine-Point Plan to boost economic growth and create much-needed jobs.
On March 16, Cabinet discussed the Third Quarterly Outcomes Progress Reports for the Period October to December 2015. The progress reports from all 14 priority outcomes not only afford Cabinet the opportunity to reflect on the progress being achieved, but importantly, they also highlight areas where there is a lack of progress.
This enables the Cabinet to provide advice on the interventions that should be implemented to achieve success. The Cluster ministers will in due course provide a detailed account of the progress that has been achieved in the third quarter. It is however important to highlight that cumulatively, the Cabinet has noted progress in most of the 14 priority outcomes on the government is aware that the National Development Plan (NDP) – which aims to reduce unemployment, poverty and inequality by 2030 – will only be achieved through collective action by the government and all stakeholders to realise the South African dream.
The Government’s Medium-Term Strategic Framework. The MTSF is a five year programme that ensures policy coherence, alignment and co-ordination across government that will facilitate the implementation of the NDP. By focusing intensely on the 14 priority outcomes of the NDP, we are intensifying our efforts to intervene appropriately in some cases or accelerate our actions in other areas.