Cabinet has endorsed the objectives and the 18 key targets set out in the National Development Plan 2030 prepared by the National Planning Commission, says Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane.

Briefing media on the Cabinet Lekgotla which took place earlier this week, Chabane said on Friday that the NDP had been welcomed by Cabinet.

“The Lekgotla also acknowledged the NDP as a strategic framework to form the basis of future government detailed planning. A government-led process to secure stakeholder participation in mobilising national ownership will be initiated,” said the minister.

It was also decided at the Lekgotla that a Cabinet Committee will be set up to develop targets and integrated implementation plans with the Forum for South African Directors-General (FOSAD). “The NPC will assess implementation and refine the plan.”

Chabane added that in cases where the NDP imposed on current government policy, there would be engagements between those who implement policy and the National Planning Commission so that they can be aligned.

The NDP was handed over to President Jacob Zuma during a Joint Sitting of Parliament last month. At the time, Zuma said the plan would be discussed to harmonise it with government's existing plans.

He had called on political parties, companies, school governing bodies, trade unions and other sectors of society to incorporate aspects of the plan in their own long-term planning and implementation plans.

The NDP document, entitled "Our future – make it work", focuses on the elimination of poverty by reducing the proportion of households with a monthly income below R419 per person from 39% to zero, and reducing inequality.

There are six pillars to the plan: uniting all South Africans around a common programme to achieve prosperity and equity; promoting active citizenry to strengthen development, democracy and accountability; bringing about faster economic growth, higher investment and greater labour absorption; focusing on key capabilities of people and the state; building a capable and development state, and encouraging strong leadership throughout society to work together to solve problems.