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Today marks the close of the nomination period for Commissioners to serve on the National Planning Commission (NPC). The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted its nominations and has nominated Dr Mamphela Ramphele and Mr Bobby Godsell to serve on the Commission.

Commissioners serving on the NPC will be mandated with the important task of drafting a long-term strategic plan for South Africa. Both Dr Ramphele and Mr Godsell are experts in their fields and we believe they have the necessary experience, skills and knowledge required to carry out this function efficiently and effectively.

More importantly, both of these candidates also possess a high level of integrity and impartiality which the DA believes are crucial attributes that all Commissioners must possess if the National Planning Commission is to come up with a long-term plan that puts the best interests of all South Africans first.

The DA supports long-term planning by government. However, we have been vocal about our concerns over the ANC's conception of the NPC as well as the fact that cabinet decided to bypass the white paper process which would have set out the precise nature, particular powers and checks and balances that would define the Commission.

It is imperative that this Commission does not become yet another authorising body for plans that have been predetermined and which merely give concrete expression to the ANC's distorted vision of a ‘developmental state', which is not in the best interests of all South Africans. Instead, the National Planning Commission must develop a set of strategic priorities for government that are the best possible response for the challenges we face as a country.

For this to happen, it is vital that the twenty Commissioners appointed are not captive to the interests and whims of the ANC, but instead are strong, independent thinkers who represent a cross-section of the entire country.

The DA believes that Dr Mamphela Ramphele and Mr Bobby Godsell meet all these criteria and that both candidates possess a deep seated commitment to creating a prosperous future for South Africa.

The Presidency has indicated that President Jacob Zuma will appoint twenty Commissioners by the end of March 2010. The DA calls on the President to give due consideration to the individual merits of every person nominated and to appoint candidates solely on their qualifications, expertise and practical experience as opposed to their political affiliations.