Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened a Cabinet Lekgotla with leaders from all spheres of government to review the government’s progress on priorities, assess challenges, and set the agenda for the seventh administration. Addressing members of the media on the agenda of the two-day meeting, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said the government was finalizing the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024/2029.
According to South African Government News Agency, the plan proposes three strategic priorities: inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental State. Minister Ntshavheni emphasized the focus on practical actions and setting timeframes to realize these priorities. A scene-setting report from National Treasury on economic and global outlooks will inform government planning, particularly in terms of reforms on global institutions like the United Nations and global funding bodies.
The Cabinet Lekgotla, held on 29 and 30 January 2025 at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, will also address funding for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and the ‘missing middle’ of students ineligible for financial aid yet unable to afford higher education. The outcomes will shape policies and programs announced in the President’s State of the Nation Address on 6 February 2025.
The Government of National Unity (GNU), comprising 10 political parties, emphasizes prioritizing national interests over party politics. Minister Ntshavheni highlighted the collaborative nature of the discussions, focusing on the country’s benefit rather than party gains.
South Africa’s G20 Presidency, from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,’ is also on the agenda. This presidency, the first for Africa, follows the admission of the African Union as a permanent member. The G20, representing major global economies, plays a critical role in influencing global policy and fostering economic stability.