NDA HOSTS THINK TANK TO REFINE AMENDMENT BILL FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

By Precious Mupenzi

• The National Development Agency (NDA) and key stakeholders held an intensive discussion on 28 January 2025 looking at how best to refine the National Development Agency Amendment Bill.
• The aim of the session was to address legislative gaps to strengthen the agency’s role in tackling poverty.
• The roundtable marks an important step in ensuring the NDA is better equipped to support civil society organisations in their critical work of uplifting impoverished communities, according to the NDA’s acting CEO Thabani Buthelezi.

The National Development Agency hosted a roundtable with key stakeholders from the government, civil society, the private sector, and academia in Johannesburg on 28 January 2025 to find ways to strengthen the agency’s role in eradicating poverty.

The one-day hybrid session focussed on how to refine the National Development Agency (NDA) Amendment Bill – an amendment to the NDA Act No. 6 of 2003 – and address legislative gaps to strengthen the agency’s role in helping communities tackle the triple threat of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

The proposed amendments aim to address legislative and operational gaps identified through an extensive diagnostic review.

These gaps have been a significant barrier to the agency’s ability to fulfil its mandate effectively, including supporting the National Development Plan, the Medium-Term Strategic Framework, and broader efforts to alleviate poverty, create jobs, and enhance skills development.

The NDA is an agency of the Department of Social Development.

Setting the tone, the agency’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Thabani Buthelezi emphasised the significance of the engagement in reshaping the NDA’s legislative framework.

“This roundtable marks a pivotal step in ensuring that the NDA is better equipped to support civil society organisations (CSOs) in their critical work of uplifting impoverished communities,” said Buthelezi during his welcome address.

The agency’s board chair, Ruth Bhengu, emphasised the agency’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships with CSOs. Speaking at the roundtable, she highlighted the NDA’s role in building strong collaborative networks.

“Our goal is to create a streamlined and effective institution that not only funds but also empowers CSOs to be agents of sustainable development,” Bhengu stated. 

NDA reaffirms close relationships with civil society

“I’m pleased that we are meeting for the second time here at the Nelson Mandela Foundation – something that hasn’t always been the case in the past,” she added. “By doing this, the NDA reaffirms its close relationship with CSOs and the organisations that were instrumental in its establishment.”

Bhengu stressed that partnerships should go beyond providing financial grants. “These partnerships must enable us to collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from one another. This way, we can open new opportunities for CSOs while enhancing our collective impact,” she explained. 

 “The NDA has the potential to be a model agency for development in South Africa. These discussions are a critical step toward creating a framework that supports sustainable poverty alleviation efforts,” said a representative from one of the academic institutions.

Civil society representatives emphasised the importance of greater inclusion and resource allocation. “As CSOs, we need a partner in the NDA that understands our challenges and provides more than just financial support—it’s about building capacity and long-term solutions,” said a representative from the South African CSO Coalition.

Whole-of-government approach

The National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) representative Thulani Tshefuta emphasised the need for the NDA to adopt a whole-of-government approach to effectively address poverty eradication.

Tshefuta highlighted the importance of aligning the NDA’s mandate with broader socio-economic development goals and ensuring its efforts are inclusive and transformative.

“The NDA must not be viewed as merely an entity of the Department of Social Development; its mandate cuts across multiple departments and sectors. It must serve as a coordinating body for poverty eradication efforts on a national scale,” he said.

“The agency needs to leverage partnerships and resources from across government and civil society to ensure sustainable development outcomes.”

Tshefuta stressed the importance of refining the NDA’s focus areas to align with four critical pillars for poverty eradication: education and skills development; social protection; employment; and enterprise development.

“The NDA has a unique opportunity to carve its niche by focusing on capacity building and social entrepreneurship, especially for cooperatives, which can foster economic and social transformation at the community level,” he added.

Addressing operational challenges, he called for stability within the NDA’s leadership. “Stabilising operations, particularly at senior levels, will help build the confidence of stakeholders and ensure the agency is fit for purpose,” he remarked.

He also underscored the need for targeted approaches to development funding, stating:  “Processes that rely solely on applications are flawed. They fail to address the greatest areas of need. The NDA must balance this with targeted interventions to ensure resources reach the most vulnerable communities.”

Social and economic goals

In conclusion, Tshefuta advocated for a socio-economic development approach that combines social and economic goals, emphasising that “the NDA’s success will rely on its ability to coordinate national efforts through a whole-of-society approach. By doing so, it can truly fulfil its role in eradicating poverty and driving sustainable development”.

Another participant from the academic sector remarked: “The NDA has the potential to be a model agency for development in South Africa. These discussions are a critical step toward creating a framework that supports sustainable poverty alleviation efforts.”

Civil society representatives emphasised the importance of greater inclusion and resource allocation.

“As civil society organisations, we need a partner in the NDA that understands our challenges and provides more than just financial support – it’s about building capacity and long-term solutions,” said a representative from the South African CSO Coalition.

More meetings

The roundtable is the first of two key engagements planned by the NDA. A larger national engagement scheduled for March 2025 will expand the conversation, bringing together 300 participants for broader inputs.

The refined NDA Act will follow a series of consultations before it is presented to Parliament.

Acting Deputy Director-General: Community Development, Mpho Mngxitama, provided a roadmap for the way forward, emphasising that the public comments received during the session will be carefully considered and translated into legal language by the legal unit, forming the foundation of a draft bill.

“These inputs will be refined and structured into a bill, which will undergo further consultation as part of the legislative process,” she explained.

The bill will then be gazetted for public comment over a 30-day period, allowing for additional feedback and necessary amendments. However, Mngxitama noted, while some contributions will shape the bill, not all suggestions will be incorporated. 

The process will also undergo a socio-economic impact assessment by the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation to ensure its alignment with national priorities.

Further consultations with NEDLAC will take place before the bill advances to Parliament.

“By the time it reaches Parliament, we should have ensured that every stakeholder with a vested interest has had the opportunity to contribute. When it finally becomes law, it will no longer be an NDA Act but a DSD Act, implemented by the NDA – ensuring shared ownership and accountability,” she concluded.

Once enacted, the amendments are expected to strengthen the NDA’s capacity to support CSOs and address poverty more effectively. This reform underscores the agency’s commitment to aligning its operations with national development priorities, fostering sustainable development, and uplifting communities across South Africa.