Thabo Mbeki drops a truth bomb about the NDP
Former President Thabo Mbeki has questioned the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP), saying it has long been misunderstood. Speaking at the launch of the Eastern Cape Higher Education Sector National Dialogue hosted by Nelson Mandela University, Mbeki said the NDP is not a detailed plan but rather a broad vision for the country’s development.
“The National Development Plan is not a plan — it is a vision,” Mbeki told delegates, emphasizing that South Africa needs a concrete, actionable strategy to translate that vision into measurable progress. He said while the NDP outlines the aspirations of a prosperous and equitable nation, it lacks the operational framework necessary to drive real change.
The former president’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the slow pace of economic growth, high unemployment, and poor implementation of national policies. Mbeki said South Africa’s biggest challenge is not the absence of good ideas, but rather the failure to execute them effectively.
“The problem is implementation. We keep adopting visions and policies, but we don’t build the necessary machinery to achieve them,” he said, urging policymakers and educational institutions to play a more active role in crafting practical solutions.
Mbeki further highlighted the importance of higher education in driving development and innovation. “Universities must not only produce graduates but also thinkers and problem solvers who can help the country move from vision to action,” he added.His comments have reignited debate over whether South Africa needs to revise or replace the NDP with a more focused and time-bound national strategy.
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