PUB3704
Assignment 4
(Detailed Response)
Semester 1 2025
, PUB3704 Assignment 4 (Detailed Response)
Semester 1 2025
1.1 Essay: Linkage Between South Africa’s National Development Planning and the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Introduction
South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), launched in 2012 with a vision for
2030, serves as a comprehensive blueprint aimed at addressing deep-seated socio-
economic inequalities, eradicating poverty, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Parallel to this, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
in 2015—a universal framework emphasizing environmental sustainability, social justice,
and economic development. The NDP’s core principles are fundamentally aligned with
the SDGs, reflecting a shared commitment to building a just, equitable, and sustainable
society.
Shared Objectives and Strategic Policy Alignment
The synergy between South Africa’s NDP and the SDGs is evident in their mutual
aspiration to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. The NDP explicitly targets SDG 1
(No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced
Inequality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). For example, the Child Support Grant
exemplifies this alignment—providing essential social assistance to vulnerable families,
directly contributing to SDG 1 (eliminating poverty) and SDG 2 (food security). Thandi, a
single mother in Soweto, benefits from this program, illustrating how national policies
concretely advance global goals.
The NDP’s six pillars—such as social cohesion, economic transformation, and
environmental sustainability—are designed to integrate multiple SDG targets. The
framework's comprehensive approach ensures that social, economic, and
environmental objectives are pursued concurrently, fostering a holistic development
process.
Assignment 4
(Detailed Response)
Semester 1 2025
, PUB3704 Assignment 4 (Detailed Response)
Semester 1 2025
1.1 Essay: Linkage Between South Africa’s National Development Planning and the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Introduction
South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), launched in 2012 with a vision for
2030, serves as a comprehensive blueprint aimed at addressing deep-seated socio-
economic inequalities, eradicating poverty, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Parallel to this, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
in 2015—a universal framework emphasizing environmental sustainability, social justice,
and economic development. The NDP’s core principles are fundamentally aligned with
the SDGs, reflecting a shared commitment to building a just, equitable, and sustainable
society.
Shared Objectives and Strategic Policy Alignment
The synergy between South Africa’s NDP and the SDGs is evident in their mutual
aspiration to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. The NDP explicitly targets SDG 1
(No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced
Inequality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). For example, the Child Support Grant
exemplifies this alignment—providing essential social assistance to vulnerable families,
directly contributing to SDG 1 (eliminating poverty) and SDG 2 (food security). Thandi, a
single mother in Soweto, benefits from this program, illustrating how national policies
concretely advance global goals.
The NDP’s six pillars—such as social cohesion, economic transformation, and
environmental sustainability—are designed to integrate multiple SDG targets. The
framework's comprehensive approach ensures that social, economic, and
environmental objectives are pursued concurrently, fostering a holistic development
process.
