National Planning Commission Welcomes SONA’s Renewed Focus on NDP Vision 2030

Ahead of SONA 2026, the NPC had formally called on the President to reaffirm the centrality of the NDP in shaping government priorities and ensuring alignment across departments.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s strong reaffirmation of the National Development Plan (NDP): Vision 2030 as the foundation of South Africa’s long-term development strategy, describing the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) as a decisive step toward restoring policy coherence and accelerating implementation.

In a statement released on Monday, the Commission said it was encouraged that the President placed the NDP at the centre of national planning at a time when the country faces mounting economic and social pressures.

NDP Reaffirmed as the Country’s Long-Term Anchor

Ahead of SONA 2026, the NPC had formally called on the President to reaffirm the centrality of the NDP in shaping government priorities and ensuring alignment across departments. The message was reinforced during the Commission’s presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation on 18 February 2026.

The NDP, adopted in 2012, sets out a comprehensive roadmap to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. Key targets include reducing unemployment to 6%, raising per capita income, expanding infrastructure investment, improving education outcomes, and building a capable and ethical state.

By repositioning the NDP as the guiding framework for reforms in energy, water security and economic growth, the President signalled a return to long-term, evidence-based planning rather than reactive, short-term interventions.

Implementation Gaps Undermine Progress

While the NPC’s parliamentary presentation detailed areas of progress, it also underscored structural weaknesses in implementation capacity.

The Commission highlighted persistent challenges in translating policy commitments into funded, bankable projects with measurable outcomes. Delays in infrastructure rollout, deteriorating service delivery in some municipalities, weakened investor confidence and slow job creation remain critical constraints.

These shortcomings disproportionately affect vulnerable groups — including women, children, young people and persons with disabilities — who continue to bear the brunt of unemployment, inequality and rising living costs.

South Africa’s official unemployment rate remains above 30%, with youth unemployment significantly higher, reinforcing the urgency of coordinated economic reform and labour-absorbing growth.

State Capacity and Data Reform in Focus

A key innovation in the Commission’s engagement has been its emphasis on data-driven governance as a foundation for a capable state.

The NPC raised concerns about fragmented and unreliable data systems at local government level, warning that weak data integration undermines the state’s ability to detect service delivery failures, monitor performance gaps and intervene early.

Strengthening municipal capacity, modernising digital systems and improving data integration were identified as essential reforms to enable evidence-based planning and accountability.

Post-SONA Dialogue Deepens Public Engagement

In a move to broaden national participation, the NPC convened a virtual Post-SONA public engagement on 16 February 2026 under the theme: “Perspectives and Priorities Beyond the President’s Address.”

The session brought together Commissioners, civil society representatives, business leaders and members of the public to evaluate how SONA commitments align with the NDP’s long-term objectives.

NPC Deputy Chairperson Professor Tinyiko Maluleke described SONA as a “critical moment of national reflection”.

“The State of the Nation Address allows us to assess whether we are making sufficient progress towards eradicating poverty, unemployment, inequality and, increasingly, corruption — as outlined in the National Development Plan,” Maluleke said.

While welcoming the strong resonance between SONA and the NDP — particularly in water reform, energy transition and economic recovery — he cautioned against crisis-driven governance based on short-term fixes.

Economic Reform, Green Growth and SME Support

Commissioners stressed that unlocking faster, inclusive growth requires improved coordination in mobilising financial resources for infrastructure expansion and productive investment.

Accelerating energy reform, supporting green industrialisation and stabilising logistics networks were identified as priorities for restoring investor confidence and boosting job creation.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), widely recognised as engines of employment and innovation, were singled out as critical to economic renewal. However, regulatory complexity, licensing delays and administrative red tape continue to stifle their growth.

The NPC called for streamlined regulatory processes, simplified compliance systems and expanded digital government services to reduce barriers to entry and scale.

Strengthening the Capable and Ethical State

Building a capable, professional public service remains central to the NDP’s success.

Commissioners emphasised the need for:

• Professionalisation of the public service

• Strengthened municipal governance

• Enhanced anti-corruption measures

• Decisive action against organised crime

The Commission also noted that rising living costs, persistent unemployment and widening inequality continue to erode household resilience. Expanding early childhood development, strengthening income support mechanisms, advancing digital inclusion and reinforcing social protection systems were identified as urgent interventions.

Planning Beyond 2030

As South Africa approaches the 2030 horizon, the NPC welcomed the President’s emphasis on planning beyond the current NDP cycle and advancing a National Dialogue process to shape a renewed social compact.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to providing independent, evidence-based advice to government and Parliament to accelerate implementation and institutional reform.

“As the country approaches 2030, the Commission will continue to support inclusive development by strengthening institutions, improving coordination and mobilising society around a shared long-term vision,” the statement said.

Appointed by the President as an independent advisory body, the National Planning Commission remains the custodian of the NDP: Vision 2030 — South Africa’s only cross-cutting, long-term national development blueprint.