The National Planning Commission (NPC) on Friday welcomed Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s commitment to assisting with the issues raised by the Commission and his assurance of ongoing engagement.

During a meeting held at the Union Buildings, the NPC urged Mashatile to help facilitate the institutionalisation of long-term planning across government departments and spheres if the country was to meet its developmental goals and improve service delivery.

The NPC also raised issues around social cohesion, and the District Development Model (DDM).

The NPC is of the view that the country has not made sufficient progress towards the attainment of achieving social cohesion.

The Commission has proposed to the Deputy President that a multiparty, parliamentary portfolio-type committee, focussed on social cohesion and reconciliation should be established.

The NPC also proposed that social cohesion be elevated to among the highest priorities of government and that it be included among the functions of the Presidency.

The NPC appealed to Mashatile, who is allocated the DDM  as part of his portfolio, to accelerate the suggested initiatives to strengthen intergovernmental relations, build capacity through merit-based appointments, and separate out the political-administrative interface at all levels of government.

The Commission explained that Mashatile expressed his full support for the NPC’s work, in general, and, in particular, its efforts to recentre the National Development Plan (NDP) as the vision for the country.

The NPC appealed to Mashatile, in his capacity as the Leader of Government Business, to put the weight of his office in support of the speedy passage of the National Development Planning Framework Bill through Parliament.

The Commission noted that the draft National Development Planning Framework Bill aimed to embed and institutionalise a coherent planning system across government that was inclusive of the broader citizenry.

“Only such an integrated approach to planning can lead to better service delivery and the advancement of the development goals of the NDP. The draft Bill centralises the NDP in the long-term planning processes of both the State and government, and envisages the NPC, as well as the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation as key, permanent and formal planning instruments,” it said.

In addition, Mashatile called on the NPC to provide advice about broader economic concerns, mooting the possibility of a 'Codesa’ about the economy.

“We must bring all stakeholders together. We must sort out the South African economy. We can do it!” said Mashatile.

Mashatile also asked the NPC to advise and provide guidance about suitable modalities that would allow for stable coalition governments.

The meeting agreed that there should be a continuous working engagement between the Commission and the Office of the Deputy President by virtue of Mashatile’s position as the Leader of Government Business.