SA needs one growth plan

Construction of the Moses Mabida Stadium, Durban

In November of 2010 I posted an article on this blog titled "Reconciling the NGP with the NPC". This was just weeks after Ibrahim Patel, Minster of Economic Development released details outlinign his New Growth Path (NGP) for South Arica. Almost a year later, Trevor Manuel, Minister of National Planning and Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC) released details of the long-term plan as envisaged by the NPC.

There are some similarities between the NGP and the NPC plan, one of which relates to the focus on job creation and the role of an infrastructure programmes as a platform to create employment opportunities. The most important difference is that the NPC plan has specific timelines by which some the goals set out in its  plan ought to be achieved.

It may be argued that the best elements of each plan should form the basis of one singular plan that the government of President Zuma should focus on. On the other hand, it could make sense to chose the best of these two plans and drive this with the focus it deserves. The problem with doing the former is that we may end up with a diluted plan that straddles two different Ministeries, with little or proper accountability. The problem I have with the latter option is that it would mean that whichever plan is discarded would have been resources deployed in vain. In my opinion, this second option, is the only option as it would ensure both focus and clear and proper accountablity on the relevant Ministry.

President Zuma must show some will and make a call on which of the two plans (the NGP or the NPC plan) should be the country's sole focus.  

Our Politicians must demonstrate some will.