South Africa's fifth democratic Parliament wants to ensure that all government departments' plans and budgets are aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP, which was adopted by the fourth Parliament, is a master plan to end hunger and poverty in South Africa, with a deadline of the year 2030.
The Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Ms Baleka Mbete, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Ms Thandi Modise, announced on Tuesday, during their tabling of Parliament's Budget Votes in the two houses that Parliament would continue to fight for a better life for ordinary citizens. "As members of this House, we have a lot to do to change the lives of those who have yet to enjoy the fruits of the struggle for liberation. We are bound by the constitution. Recent events shows that we can't relax - low and slow economic recovery; accelerating global warming and the increasing world disaster have not enabled South Africa and the rest of the world the space to address the increasing levels of joblessness and the accompanying poverty and desolation, resource and skills scarcity and the escalating levels of conflict across the world," said Ms Modise.
She said Parliament must make sure that the executive and all the different spheres of government show in their strategic plans, annual performance plan (APP) the activities and resources that will breathe life into the NDP.
Parliament's budget allocation for the 2015/16 financial year is R2 070.1bn compared to R1 989.2bn in 2014/15 allocation. "No democracy can endure and flourish if the mass of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life," Ms Modise said.
NA Speaker Ms Mbete said according to the NDP "South Africa must translate political emancipation into economic well-being for all in order to accelerate progress, deepen democracy and build a more inclusive society." She said the plan encapsulates the country's aspirations to eradicate poverty, increase employment and reduce inequality.
"It has elevated the task of building a capable and developmental state to a higher priority. It is our role as Parliament to ensure that the ideals in the Constitution and the vision of the NDP are translated into accelerated action," the Speaker said.
Sakhile Mokoena
2 June 2015
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