President Jacob Zuma on Friday announced the names of the National Planning Commission (NPC) members that will be responsible for drafting a long-term national development plan for the country.

The 24-member team includes business heavyweights, such as former Eskom chairperson Bobby Godsell, MTN chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa and Business Unity South Africa CEO Jerry Vilakazi.

Speaking at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, Zuma said that the NPC would be tasked with producing reports on issues such as climate change, water security, food security, energy security, infrastructure planning, human resource development, defence and security matters, the structure of the economy, spatial planning and demographic trends.

The commission will have its first meeting on May 10 and May 11.

The members of the commission represented different areas of expertise and reflected a diversity of experiences and perspectives, Zuma said at a media briefing.

Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel will be responsible for steering the commission and feeding its proposals into Cabinet and the rest of government, with Ramaphosa taking his first government position as deputy chairperson of the commission.

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) president James Motlatsi nominated Ramaphosa, who has a long association with trade unions and held leadership positions in the Council of Unions of South Africa and the NUM, as well as in the African National Congress (ANC).

He was also the chairperson for the Constitutional Assembly that was responsible for drafting South Africa's constitution.

The other members, chosen from 1 280 candidates are:

• ANC NEC member and former head of policy coordination in the Presidency Joel Netshitenzhe;
• Wits University water expert and former Water Affairs director general Mike Muller;
• Sanlam policy analysis head Elias Masilela;
• Akhona Properties CEO Noluthando Gosa;
• Digby Wells & Associates hydrology and water scientist unit manager Jennifer Molwantwa;
• Wits University school of public development management senior lecturer Mariam Altman;
• Wits University economics expert Chris Malikane;
• University of Cape Town social and economic development head Vivienne Taylor;
• Walter Sisulu vice-chancellor and principal Marcus Balintulo;
• Social policy and planning expert Vuyokazi Mahlati;
• University of KwaZulu-Natal vice-chancellor and principal Malekgapuru Makgoba;
• University of Cape Town graduate school of business director Anton Eberhard;
• Elilox Trading founder and first-ever female president of the Chartered Institute of Building Bridgette Gasa;
• Engineer and entrepreneur Thandabantu Goba;
• Wits University built environment vice-dean Phillip Harrison;
• University of Johannesburg vice-chancellor and principal Ihron Rensburg;
• University of Natal Doris Duke Medical Research scientific director Jerry Coovadia;
• Social cohesion and social fragmentation expert Karl von Holdt;
• University of Stellenbosch agriscience dean Mohammed Karaan;
• World Wide Fund international climate policy advocate Tasneem Essop;
• Resolve Group MD Pascal Moloi and;
• National Responsible Gambling Programme chairperson Vincent Maphai.