Book review: Zumanomics-The road from Mangaug to 2030 Raymond Parsons

Two weeks ago I was scrolling down on Twitter formerly known as X. Someone tweeted that ‘’its 2025 and 2030 is nearing’’. 

What does this mean for South Africa? Then the National Development Plan flashed before my eyes. The National Development Plan is a policy document that honed my passion for politics and policymaking. I was introduced to the National Development Plan in my first year of university by amazing Professor Danie Meyer. He mentioned a very profound statement in relation to the NDP and for years it grew on me. He said the NDP is not just a policy document; lives need to change.

So, what exactly is this National Development Plan? What does it entail and why am I choosing to write about it?

The National Development Plan serves as an action plan for securing the future of South Africans as charted in the Constitution. The National Planning commission also states that the ‘’NDP is founded on six pillars that represent the broad objectives of the plan to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality’’. It aims to achieve the set objectives by 2030. The plan is for South Africa. The plan entails a strategic framework that aims to eliminate poverty and inequality in South Africa by 2030. According to the plan ‘’ South Africa can realise these goals by drawing on the energies of its people, growing an inclusive economy, building capacities, enhancing the capacity of the state and promoting leaderships and partnership throughout the society’’. 

I am writing about the National Development Plan as a South African who still believes in her country and her people. With my analysis of the ten year review, I hope to redefine the landscape of planning in South Africa.  

Before I expand more into depth I read Professor Parsons book to gather context and provide a broader perspective. 

Zumanomics is the name of the book and it was published in 2012. The book is informative and looks at South Africa’s economic growth under the dispensation of former President Zuma. Although the title points out ‘’Zuma’’ Professor Parsons is questioning the performance of South Africa’s economy.

His analysis begins with him revisiting the South African economy in the past and prospective. What he identifies in his analysis is the serious socio-economic challenges that South Africa faces. These are the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Given South Africa’s history of oppression we cannot isolate the role of politics and policy instruments having medium-long term effects. My reference to the National Development Plan is to highlight its role and share the roadmap to South Africa’s progress. 

My overall analysis based on the overview of the ten-year review and interrogating the planning landscape post-Covid 19

The National Planning Commission is an independent think-tank that is responsible for advising the President and the Cabinet on long term planning. In addition, it analyzes the implementation of the NDP priorities and also addresses gaps and blockages. 

With the implementation of the plan, there have been challenges emerging apart from the triple challenges we face in South Africa. Climate change and Covid-19 to mention a few. 

Both Climate change and Covid-19 have impacted South Africa’s economy. When we look at the foundation of the NDP its primary focus is to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality. 

However, over the years South Africa’s roadmap to progress has shifted. We as a country have had to bear the brunt of mass job losses due to Covid-19. Our infrastructure was compromised because of the heavy floods. These factors increased the ratio of dependency. 

Therefore, if we openly have an honest conversation of the remaining years, will the objectives be met by 2030?

Interrogate the landscape of planning post pandemic
South Africa needs to interrogate the planning landscape post Covid-19. To give more context to the planning landscape, I will touch on VUCA.  I have had the privilege of learning about the concept of VUCA in 2020.

The acronym VUCA means Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. These are basically the conditions to respond to or analyse planning. In the case of the NDP, I will look at complexity. 

Complexity in a sense that South Africa is a country constrained due to its history. South Africa’s history informs the direction of our policies. When a young democracy faces challenges this directly impacts the development of the nation.
When we plan to address social ills in South Africa it’s not only important to revisit our history. However, study our evolving environment and keep in mind that some parts of change are not adaptable. This is what brings complexities. 

With the case of the NDP because of the many changes, can we actually confirm that the plan has benefited many?

I think it’s time to open this dialogue as we are nearing 2030!

An insightful and very informative read.

Book 6 in 2025.

Phiwe Mncwabe is storyteller, blogger and voice in Africa.

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