NPC Website: http://www.npconline.co.za

Background to the National Planning Commission

The National Planning Commission is a new initiative of government. Chaired by the Minister in The Presidency for National Planning, the NPC will be responsible for developing a draft long term vision and strategic plan for South Africa. The process of developing this draft plan will include discussion and engagement across our country and will also provide opportunities for people to come forward with ideas and suggestions. This draft will be considered by Cabinet and accepted, amended or rejected. The Commission will also advise on cross-cutting issues that impact on South Africa’s long term development.

Cabinet approved the release of the Green Paper : National Strategic Planning in August 2009. The Green Paper was publically released in September alongside a discussion paper on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation. Both documents were officially tabled in Parliament.

The National Assembly and NCOP solicited comments and representations as part of a broader public engagement process. A report was presented to the National Assembly and after extensive debate the report was noted. The main recommendation is that Parliament supports the Green Paper and recognizes the primacy of Cabinet as the final arbiter and ultimate collective decision-making body responsible for all major policies and plans. The NCOP report was also supportive of the broad thrust of the Green Paper and the substantive content of the proposals.

In December 2009 Cabinet resolved that the Minister in The Presidency : National Planning will drive the process towards the establishment of the NPC and that the President is tasked with the appointment of the Commissioners and establishment of the Ministerial Committee on Planning.