The National Planning Commission should not pander to government or be afraid to challenge it, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

"At times you may want to face Cabinet and tell them off," Zuma said during the official appointment of the 26 commissioners at the Union Buildings.

"You must not love government."

He said the objective of the commission, drawn from a wide diversity of expertise, was expected to put forward solid research, sound evidence and clear recommendations.

"When we came to office last year we stated that this is a government that would do things differently.

"The establishment of the NPC is our promise to the people of South Africa that we are building a state that will grow the economy, reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of our system," said Zuma.

The expertise of the commissioners range from finance, industry, telecommunications, biotechnology, rural development, governance, water engineering, education, health, food security and climate change.

The commissioners would also work with broader society to map out government's objectives. "Vision 2025 will muster all the views of South Africans so that we can all participate in the realisation of the South Africa we live in," said Zuma.

Key to this would be building the economy, reducing poverty and improving quality of life.

Among the commissioners appointed are ANC stalwart and business tycoon Cyril Ramaphosa, former Eskom chairman Bobby Godsell and Minister in the Presidency and president of the commission, Trevor Manuel.

After receiving the certificate of appointment Ramaphosa, who will take the seat of deputy chair, said he was honoured to be selected to serve on the commission.

"This is a real honour to be have been identified and appointed by the president."

He said the commission's aim was to contribute to the crafting of the 2025 vision.

"We seek to do this as inclusive way as possible with various sectors of society. The plan is to help tackle the challenges we face," Ramaphosa said.