Planning Minister Trevor Manuel launched "the how" part of the government's plan for the country on Tuesday, saying the goal of removing "poverty, inequality and hardship" had not been achieved.

Manuel said in the National Assembly at the launch of the Green Paper on National Strategic Planning that a national plan would help the government focus on the long-term challenges facing South Africa.

"We are keenly aware of the overwhelming evidence that we have not yet achieved our key objectives of transforming our society, our economy, our space and our communities," Manuel said.

"Poverty, inequality and hardship remain stark realities across the length and breadth of our country.

"A national plan would help focus our collective mind on the long-term challenges facing our country and provide clear frameworks to take the tough decisions today that would enable us to realise a better country tomorrow."

Manuel said the Green Paper should be seen as "the nuts and bolts - the how part of developing a plan or plans".

"Improved national strategic planning would provide a basis for increased policy coherence, better coordination from the centre of government and clear priorities upon which we can act as one in budgeting, implementing programmes and policies and monitoring the outcomes of our work."

Manuel said the national plan would go through a process within government before it is adopted by Cabinet in session with representatives of other spheres of government.

A ministerial committee on planning is proposed to provide political support to the Minister for Planning and to help process outputs of the commission before they are tabled in Cabinet.

The President and Deputy President will be ex officio members of both the commission and ministerial committee.

"There will be a need for continuous research on cross-cutting topics that affect our medium- and long-term development plans such as demographic change, climate change, energy sources, water security, food security and long-term defence capabilities," Manuel said.

"The Minister for Planning working with the National Planning Commission and relevant clusters and departments will draw on the excellent research capacity that exists in the country to produce a series of baseline studies and research papers on these types of cross-cutting topics that would help shift policy to take account of long-term trends and objectives."

Manuel said "a small, professional secretariat", to be called the National Planning Secretariat would be established in the Presidency to support the work of the minister, the commission, the ministerial committee and in relation to planning.

"This secretariat will serve at the institutional centre for strategic planning in government and will work closely with technical experts in institutions such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), universities and other think tanks," Manuel said.

Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament (MP) Athol Trollip said in reply to Manuel's speech that "the determination of a national vision must be inclusive and transparent".

Trollip said planning priorities will require trade-offs and careful arbitration will be required both within the tripartite alliance and the public and private sectors.

"It is imperative that trade unions understand the often unpalatable realities and also to take the private sector on board with you by ensuring transparency and developing trust," he said.

Congress of the People MP Mvume Dandala welcomed the Green Paper, saying it provided clarity on the government's vision.