MINISTER ADDRESSES NDA, OUTLINES EXPECTATIONS FOR TURNAROUND STRATEGY

 By Lesego Ranchu

• The Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe convened a special meeting with the National Development Agency (NDA) to reinforce her expectations of the agency in strengthening its leadership and delivering on its poverty-eradication mandate.
• The NDA’s board, through its chairperson Nozabelo Ruth Bhengu, thanked the minister for her swift response in assisting to stabilise the NDA by appointing a new acting CEO.
• The NDA’s turnaround strategy aims to elevate the entity to a premium poverty-eradication and development instrument capable of addressing unemployment and promoting skills development across South Africa.

The Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, has taken firm action to help stabilise the National Development Agency (NDA), convening a special meeting with the board, the executive team and staff, and appointing a new acting chief executive.

At the meeting in Parktown, Johannesburg, the minister explained that the NDA had her support and her backing, but that it was conditional based on the realisation of the goals that had been set for the agency’s turnaround.

“I cannot advocate for an entity that does not meet the expectations and doesn’t not respond to the needs of the poor,” Minister Tolashe told the meeting.

The NDA, which falls under the Department of Social Development, is the government agency mandated to help eradicate poverty, and its causes, in South Africa.

The special meeting marks the minister’s maiden visit to the NDA. This follows the undertaking Minister Tolashe made to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development in October 2024 to forge relations with the NDA and address the urgent issues outlined by the board chairperson, Nozabelo Ruth Bhengu.

Among the issues raised was that the NDA had been operating without a permanent Chief Executive Officer since 2021, which had led to poor performance and lack of accountability.

In response to this leadership gap, Minister Tolashe appointed Thabani Buthelezi as acting CEO, following the retirement of Bongani Magongo, who had acted in the position for over a year. Buthelezi has been seconded from the Department of Social Development’s national office.

Bhengu lauded the move, saying: “We appreciate that the minister responded swiftly to our plea to assist in the stabilisation of the NDA.

“The appointment of Mr Buthelezi has yielded significant strides to the advancement of our turnaround strategy, including the process underway to review the amendment of the NDA Act, as well as closing the leadership gap that exists within the NDA.”

Minister Tolashe has availed her office for ongoing support and has articulated specific outcomes expected from the NDA leadership and the entity.

This follows her strategic inputs into the entity’s performance plans, in particular, the approved turnaround strategy. The strategy seeks to elevate the entity to a premium poverty-eradication and development instrument capable of addressing unemployment and promoting skills development through resource mobilisation and the implementation of development programmes across the country.

“The NDA must reposition and reshape its value proposition,” the minister said, adding: “Poverty is growing. The voices of the voters are clear to say government is not responding to their needs.”

The issues of poverty, gender-based violence and child malnutrition must be addressed by the Department of Social Development and its entities, Minister Tolashe noted.

The NDA, in particular, must raise its profile in poor communities, raise funds through partnerships, and begin to demonstrate the impact of its development programmes within the youth and other vulnerable groups, including grant recipients.

Minister Tolashe acknowledged the service of Magongo. “You have served your government, the NDA and the people of South Africa with determination and vigour. I look forward to finding more people of your calibre in future. I wish you well in your retirement.”

The minister has committed to strengthening the relations between the department and its entities.