NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

EDUCATION AND HEALTH

4

DETAILED DISCUSSION PAPER TOWARDS THE 2015 NGC:

Assessment of the work of the ANC in
the Basic Education, Higher Education
& Training, Health and Science &
Technology sectors:
2013-2017

INTRODUCTION

GLOSSARY
ABET – Adult Basic Education and Training
ANA – Annual National Assessments
CAPS – Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements
CEM – Council of Education Ministers
DBE – Department of Basic Education
DHET – Department of Higher Education and Training
DoH – Department of Health
DST – Department of Science and Technology
DTI – Department of Trade and Industry
ECD – Early Childhood Development
EPWP – Expanded Public Works Program
FET – Further Education and Training
HEI – Higher Education Institution
IQMS - Integrated Qualifications Management System
LTSM – Learning and Teaching Support Material
NEEDU – National
Development Unit

Education

Evaluation

and

NHI – National Health Insurance
NHIF – National Health Insurance Fund
PSETA – Public Sector Education and Training Authority
QLTC – Quality of Learning and Teaching Campaign
SETA – Sector Education and Training Authority
TVET - Technical and Vocational Education and Training

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The fundamental goal of the African National Congress
is that of uniting all South Africans around its vision
and programmes in order that the masses participate
in the building of a united, non-racial, non-sexist,
democratic and prosperous society in our country.
As the governing party, the ANC relies on the strength
of its branches and their ability to work among
the people, mass participation of communities in
programs of the ANC and those of government, and its
ability to use state power to advance speedily its goal
of realizing the ANC’s historic mission.
Today in 2015, in the Year of the Freedom Charter and
Unity in Action to Advance Economic Freedom!, the
Freedom Charter in its 60th year of existence continues
to be the beacon for the ANC, its Alliance partners
and country. It continues to be our guide as the ANC
implements its policies, plans and programs in the
education, health, science and technology sectors in
communities and in government.
These above-mentioned sectors continue to work
tirelessly to move South Africa closer to ideals of the
Freedom Charter, especially the realization of the
demand of the people that “The doors of learning
and culture shall be open!” ANC programs also carry
in them the spirit of the clause “There shall be houses,
security and comfort!” which, further studied, states
that “A preventive health scheme shall be run by the state
… (and) free medical care and hospitalisation shall be
provided for all, with special care for mothers and young
children”.
The work of the ANC Subcommittee on Education and

 Health is guided by clear directives that are contained
in the Strategy and Tactics of the African National
Congress. High on the agenda of the Subcommittee
is that the sector navigates successfully and efficiently
the second phase of transition of the revolution led
by the ANC in South Africa towards greater political
freedom and genuine economic emancipation, as it
relates to education, health, science and technology.
The Subcommittee also ensures that its programs
contribute to the goal of radical socio-economic
transformation of the country.
The Subcommittee, after considering the implications
of overlapping terms of governance for government
departments’ reporting periods on the report of the
ANC, whose reporting period is not aligned to that of
government, made a deliberate choice of adopting
the approach of structuring its report in such a way
that it expresses the notion of “continuity and change”.
That is, it reflects on all the work that was done in
government during the period January 2013 to May
2014, which is based on resolutions of the 52nd ANC
National Conference, and adds to that an account of
progress made through the work that was performed
during the period of May 2014 to date, that is based on
resolutions of the 53rd ANC National Conference.
This report and account of the work done by the
sector must be read together with the official report
of the ANC NEC on resolutions of the 53rd National
Conference. The Subcommittee has ensured that all
its constituent sectors provide reports against every
resolution of conference without exception, viz.
resolutions under Education and Health plus relevant
resolutions listed under the Social Transformation
Committee (STC) on the official report of the last
national conference. A document with extracts of the
said resolutions is available from the Subcommittee
on request.

BACKGROUND
At the dawn of democracy, the ANC stated its
objectives in its document, Ready to Govern, that the
basic objectives of ANC policy are fourfold:
■  To strive for the achievement of the right of
all South Africans, as a whole, to political and
economic self-determination in a united South
Africa;
■  To overcome the legacy of inequality and injustice
created by colonialism and apartheid, in a swift,
progressive and principled way;
■  To develop a sustainable economy and state
infrastructure that will progressively improve the

NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

quality of life of all South Africans; and,
■  To encourage the flourishing of the feeling
that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, to
promote a common loyalty to and pride in the
country and to create a universal sense of freedom
and security within its borders.
A lot of progress has been made in the last 21 years
by the ANC and the ANC-led government towards
the attainment of these objectives. However, these
objectives continue to inform the conduct of the work
of sectors in the Subcommittee and motivate these
sectors to deliver on the people’s mandate in areas
where they are active and where its operatives have
been deployed.
The ANC has made excellent progress in the
transformation of South Africa from apartheid
to democracy. The implementation of the ANC’s
Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) is
one of the key factors that made it possible for the
ANC to succeed.  The sectors that are integral to the
Subcommittee on Education and Health have been
and remain at the centre of this reconstruction of our
country, and their contribution has been immense
assisted by the involvement of stakeholders inside and
outside of government.
This report is an account to the membership and
leadership of the ANC on progress made in the
implementation of the organisational mandate from
the 53rd National Conference, ANC NEC meetings and
Makgotla, the NDP 2030, the 2009 & 2014 Election
Manifestos and the 2009–2014 and 2014–2019
Medium Term Strategic Frameworks (MTSFs).

THE BALANCE OF FORCES IN THE
EDUCATION, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY SECTORS
The ANC is the leader of society and party of
government. Its primary focus is the work of the
movement in communities. The ANC uses government
as its vehicle for the implementation of its policy and
programs plus the delivery of services to our people.
The ANC has the power and legitimacy to do so as
authorized by the overwhelming mandate that it
receives from the majority of the people at every
national, provincial and local government election
since 1994.
The following critical issues that affect the balance
of forces in our sector are discussed in-depth in a
separate document submitted to the leadership of our
movement:

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

Centrality of ANC branches: Weak branches create
conditions for the opposition to be strong.
Governance: Poor governance and social distance
between governance structures and communities
weaken the ANC and the Alliance. A push for a return
of ANC members to activism and the adoption of an
approach such as the delivery and governance model
adopted by the ANC KwaZulu-Natal of Operation
Sukuma Sakhe and the War Room Implementation
Plan (WRIP) should be considered by all provinces to
bring governance to the level of communities in every
ward.
Competing interests of the Executive and bureaucracy
most of the times end up tipping the balance of power
of decision in favour of the bureaucracy away from
Executive Authorities thereby compromising the
ability of government to deliver on the mandate of the
ANC.
Effects of competition over the imposition of
conditions for co-governance onto Executing
Authorities by various stakeholders such as members
and leaders of non-governmental organisations and
labour unions sometimes tilt the balance of power
away from Executive Authorities.
Instability of management structures caused by
unjustifiable removal of managers such as principals,
senior managers, heads of departments and directors
general and the prolonged non-appointment of
managers into vacant posts plus frequent changes
of political principals such as Members of Executive
Councils (MECs) and Ministers disturb power relations
in government departments and compromise all
efforts to promote continuity.
Other important external factors that affect the sector’s
ability to deliver on its mandate are the negative
influence of the private sector on the public sectors’
policy choices; the influence of donors or development
partners on the design and implementation of ANC
and government policies and programs; implications
of poor security of information on the strength of
government; and lapses in the application of basics of
Minimum Information Security System (MISS), which
compromise the security of the ANC and that of the
state.

EVALUATION OF PROGRESS MADE
AGAINST PLANS AND PROGRAMS BY
VARIOUS SECTORS
In its evaluation of progress made, the Subcommittee
has endeavoured to provide a political assessment

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of performance against targets as opposed to an
assessment that focuses purely on administrative
matters.
The following are sectoral reports of progress made
in the implementation of resolutions of the 53rd ANC
National Conference, the 2014 Election Manifesto and
the government 2009–2014 and 2014–2019 MTSFs. It
also focuses on specific imperatives of each sector that
flow from the above.
The Subcommittee considered in its reporting
implications of the two year time lag between the ANC
taking resolutions at national conference in December
2012 and the act translation of the said resolutions into
the mandate of government in 2014 post-elections.
This report therefore covers the period 01 January
2013 to date.  
This summary presents an account of progress to
reflect the following:
■  Resolutions have been fully implemented.
■  Resolutions are in the process of being
implemented with the likelihood of success.
■  Resolutions have not been implemented and/
or the Subcommittee awaits reports, programs
and funding plans from sectors. These will be
submitted to the NEC prior to the NGC.

ANC SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
AND HEALTH
This is an account of the work and performance by the
ANC NEC Subcommittee on Education and Health and
that of similar Subcommittees at Provincial, Regional,
Zonal and Branch level.
The following programs which were part of the
2007 Conference and subsequent NEC resolutions
were completed:
■  All provinces have successfully implemented
the resolution of the NEC that directed that the
Department of Health and Department of Social
Development should exist as separate entities.
The following programs which are part of the 20142019 mandate have been completed:
■  PECs have appointed Chairpersons of
Subcommittees on Education and Health in
line with the resolution of conference. The
Subcommittee will report on this matter as it
affects RECs, ZECs and BECs.
■  PEC Subcommittees on Education and Health in

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape
hold regular meetings, have Programmes of
Action and have submitted reports on the work
that they are doing in branches and communities,
e.g. education and health campaigns including
work on School Governing Bodies (SGBs), healthy
lifestyle and the National Health Insurance (NHI).
■  The 53rd National Conference Strategy and
Tactics makes reference to critical role of the
National System of Innovation (NSI) in building a
knowledge-based economy.
■  The ANC prioritises science and technology policy
development, implementation and monitoring
capacity.
■  Conference supports the implementation of the
NDP 2030 and endorses its objectives and goals.
■  The Subcommittee provided guidance to and did
oversee the government process of developing
the draft White Paper on the National Health
Insurance (NHI). This was finalised on 17 March
2014 instead of 2013 as directed by the resolution.
The said draft was submitted to the Secretary
General’s Office in March 2014 and has been
approved by the NEC.
■  The principle of mainstreaming Science,
Technology and Innovation in the ANC,government
and the private sector has been adopted by the
Subcommittee and its implementation remains
work in progress.
The following are work in progress from the 53rd
National Conference:
■  Provincial Subcommittees on Education and
Health have been established in the Eastern
Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal
and Limpopo. Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal have
functional Regional Subcommittees. Provincial
Subcommittees are engaged in the process of
establishing similar subcommittees at all levels
of the organisation from province to branch level.
The NGC will receive a comprehensive progress
report on this matter.
■  The ANC commenced with the engagement
of its structures, the Alliance and communities
to mobilize grass roots support for improved
education outcomes. Together with the DBE and
PDEs, the ANC held initial meetings to promote
the Quality of Learning and Teaching Campaign
(QLTC). These meetings are being rolled out.
Training has been offered to 1749 School QLTC
Sub-committees in 45 districts, 214 departmental
officials and 1749 QLTC stakeholders.

■  The ANC and the Gauteng Provincial government
have implemented programs such as a meeting of
stakeholders to mobilise broad social support for
the roll out of the NHI.
■  The ANC and government have embarked on
activities to promote healthy lifestyles through
mobilization of individuals and communities
to engage in physical activities, good dietary
practices and reduction of harmful use of alcohol,
tobacco and to control of substance abuse.
o  The National Strategy and Guidelines for the
Prevention and Management of alcohol and
substance use have been distributed to all
provinces.
o  In order to streamline the implementation
of physical education and school sport in all
provinces, a Multi-Stakeholder meeting was
held on 20–21 February 2015.
■  The ANC and government have mobilized all
necessary resources to achieve the goals and
priorities set out in the National Development
Plan 2030. That was consolidated through the
alignment by sectors of resolutions, the manifesto
and the NDP 2030 with budgets of government
departments towards the finalization of the 2014–
2019 government Mid-Term Strategic Framework
(MTSF).
■  The Subcommittee will report on the on-going
training and development programmes for
government officials that are aimed at building
capacity of government.
■  Disciplinary steps are being taken against officials
who engage in corrupt, unethical or unlawful
practice.
■  Government and trade unions are cooperating to
stamp out ill-discipline in the sector.
■  Steps are being taken to combat many cases of
conflict of interest that relate to procurement
involving public representatives and civil
servants. The DHET has instituted steps such as
putting in place regulations that bar students
and management from participating in specific
business activities linked to the sector.
■  In the face of interventions such as those
implemented in line with Section 100 (1)(b) in
the health sector, viz. Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape,
Limpopo, and in the basic education sector, viz.
Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Eastern
Cape; the sector has linked these with efforts to
develop capacity in areas of interventions.

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

The following are issues that are from the 53rd
National Conference which were not implemented
within the deadline provided by resolutions. They
need intervention if the Subcommittee and its sectors
are to complete them by December 2017:
■  The NEC Subcommittee on Education and Health
has neither conducted comprehensive policy
consolidation and/or reviews of official policy
documents of specific sectors, namely Basic
Education, Higher Education & Training, Health
and Science & Technology nor, where indicated,
consolidated existing ANC policy positions into
identifiable ANC policy documents as director by
the resolution. The deadline was 30 June 2013.
■  The ANC in the sector has not embarked on
programs to actively promote the national anthem
of the country as it currently exists; and did not
engage in a structured campaign or program to
ensure that whenever the ANC sings the original
Nkosi Sikelela iAfrika, it should not be referred to
as the national anthem. However, government
through the DBE has commenced with programs
to promote the National Anthem. The DBE has
made it compulsory for all the 201 schools
participating at the SASCE competitions this year
to sing the African Union anthem. Provinces were
provided with audio as well as written material to
practise the African Union anthem.
■  The Subcommittee has not followed up its sectors
to note any gaps that might have been identified
by the NDP 2030 for purposes of policy and
planning.
■  The Subcommittee has not directed government
sectors to put in place business processes and to
institutionalise these, thus making sure that there
are consequences for every action.
■  The Subcommittee has not received reports
on national skills audits that should have been
urgently carried out at all levels of government in
order to identify the gaps.
■  The Subcommittee has not followed up its sectors
to oversee the enforcement of strict adherence to
the disciplinary standards and norms, including
adherence to formal and proper dress code.
■  The Subcommittee has not initiated steps for the
drafting of legislation that should be passed to
guide Section 100 (1)(b) interventions and other
interventions, especially in the education and
health sectors. This will be followed up.
■  The Subcommittee has not prioritised as directed
by the resolution the drafting of legislation that
will effectively bar all civil servants from taking

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up employment or positions as local government
councillors whilst still employed in government
posts. A report and draft legislation will be
submitted by the Subcommittee.
The Subcommittee will submit reports on the
following resolutions which are directives specific
to all ANC Subcommittees on Education and Health:
■  The ANC must take strong action to deal with
corruption.
■  The ANC must ensure that all collusion that leads
to irregularities is stamped out.
■  The ANC must ensure that its name and all its
structures are not abused in the furtherance of
corrupt activities.
■  The ANC must take responsibility and ensure that
both elected leaders and deployed cadres in the
administration are held accountable.
■  The Subcommittee on Education and Health
must submit to the ANC leadership a plan of
how to ensure accountability of ANC structures,
leaders and deployees responsible for delivery
and education sector outcomes thus enabling
decisive action to be taken where performance
does not achieve expected outcomes.
■  The ANC as a party must act on its members who
fail to perform.

Special focus: the ANC and Military Health
Services
■  The Subcommittee will put greater focus
on   Military   Health Services,   especially its
infrastructure which includes the state of clinics
and hospitals, health technology, human resources
and quality of care. Follow ups will be done on
long-standing conference resolutions that refer to
the work of the ANC as it relates to military health
services.

ANC STRUCTURES IN MUNICIPALITIES AND
THOSE IN PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL
LEGISLATURES: EDUCATION, HEALTH,
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
This is an account of performance by the ANC
members in relevant study groups in provincial and
national legislatures. This report has a definite flaw as
it does not provide a detailed account of the work of
councillors in local government who are charged with
the task of driving the education, health, science and
technology agenda in local communities.

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
ANC members of Study Groups and Portfolio
Committees in the National Assembly and the
National Council of Provinces and members of their
Technical Support structures, namely researchers and
coordinators, participate regularly in meetings and
activities of the ANC NEC Subcommittee on Education
and Health. These members have Programmes of
Action and have submitted reports on the work that
they are doing in Parliament.
Members of Mayoral Committees conduct their work
of sectors of this subcommittee through their active
participation in PEC and Regional Subcommittees,
especially in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern
Cape. The Subcommittee will submit a comprehensive
report of its work in structures of local government
and those that are in provincial Legislatures and
Parliament to the NEC through the Secretary General’s
Office (SGO).

BASIC EDUCATION
The performance of the basic education sector is
against the 2009-2014 ANC Education Ten Point
Program and the Program that was adopted at the
ANC NEC Lekgotla of June 2014. The Ten Point Program
and the 2014 POA were translated into government
Programs of Action in the first Cabinet Lekgotla that
took place immediately after the 2009 and 2014
national and provincial elections. The POAs were
further refined, at the level of government, into the
Negotiated Service Delivery Agreements that were
signed between the President of the Republic and the
Minister of Basic Education.
The Basic Education sector implemented its plans and
programs throughout the January 2013 to May 2014
period with distinction. This was necessary, as it was
the case for all sectors, to complete the government
2009 election mandate.  The mandate of the sector was
based on the 2009–2014 Education Ten Point Program
and the Negotiated Service Delivery Program.
The following programs which were part of the
2009–2014 mandate were completed:
■  Developed a sector plan, Action Plan to 2014:
Towards Schooling 2025, for coordinating
and implementing a sector-wide strategy with
deliverable targets and indicators in support of
Government’s outcomes-focused approach. The
Action Plan has been updated to Action Plan
2019: Towards Schooling 2030. THE DBE has also
identified six (6) focus areas in the 2014–2019
MTSF as a way of responding to the NDP.

departments in government in support of
Outcome 1:  Quality basic education.
■  Conducting external tests, namely the Annual
National Assessments (ANA), for all grade 3 and
grade 6 learners every year, and providing results
to parents.
■  Improve national–provincial alignment and
efficiency of education expenditure, through
procuring textbooks nationally and allocating
resources to improve district capacity.
■  Develop a social compact for quality education.
■  Implement poverty combating measures that
improve the environment for learning and
teaching.
■  To support inclusive education, the DBE integrated
and infused into Teacher Development activities
three sets of guidelines namely, Guidelines
for Full-service Schools, Guidelines for Special
Schools and The Institutionalisation of Curriculum
Differentiation. Developed a turn-around strategy
and checklist for Special schools for monitoring
curriculum delivery and improvement of the
functionality of Special Schools.
■  Training Manuals on the Prevention and
Management of bullying have been developed to
address concerns of safety at schools. The Centre
for Justice and Crime Prevention (CJCP) and DBE
have conducted nine Provincial Consultative
workshops with stakeholders on the Draft
National School Safety Framework. To address
the increasing incidence of Satanism in schools,
the department hosted an Occults meeting with
Religious formations.
■  Promotion of social cohesion included the Luthuli
Oral History competition, the Moot Courts at
Constitution Hill, the 2014 SASCE National Choral
Championships, Sporting codes and Indigenous
Games.
■  Promotion of reading and access to libraries
through book flood campaigns.
The following are challenges that are still work in
progress from the 2009–2014 government term of
governance:
■  Teachers to be in-class, on time, teaching.
■  Focus efforts on improving the quality of early
childhood education and primary schools.
■  Enhance recruitment of quality teachers and
strengthen teacher development.

■  Signed a Delivery Agreement with relevant

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
■  Strengthen management capacity to ensure
working districts and schools.
■  Increase the use of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) in education.
■  Addressing the challenges experienced when
communities use schools as centres of their
protest action.
The following are issues that were not implemented
and remain from the 2009–2014 government term
of governance:
■  Teachers to also be required to use textbooks in
class.  The Sector has been working towards 100%
Universal Coverage since 2011. To date the DBE
has made significant progress by achieving 93%
universal coverage. The CEM has approved the
principle of one core textbook per subject per
grade.  The sector has also put systems in place to
monitor the utilisation of Learning Teaching and
Support Material.  
■  Ensure effective evaluation of all teachers based
on extent to which learner performances improve.
The following programs which are part of the
2014–2019 mandate have been completed:
■  A Presidential Commission has been established
to review the remuneration and conditions
of employment of education and health
professionals and make recommendations on
salary adjustments and wage increases in a
manner that protects education and health as
national priorities. Clarity will be sought about its
terms of reference as those pertain to education
and health because they are APEX priorities.
■  The DBE and PDEs adhere to existing policies to
avoid problems currently experienced with the
movement of educators to where they are needed.
■  The BE sector accepts the principle that educators
who are to be evaluated must not be the ones
determining whether they should be assessed or
not and also should not have the final word on
how the evaluation should be done.
■  The DBE has distributed to schools guidelines on
the roles, responsibilities and functions of School
Governing Bodies (SGBs). It embarked on a project
of simplifying the said guides for Chairpersons of
SGBs and parents.
■  The DBE has ensured that Grade 3, 6 and 9 learners
are measured every year. The original plan for this
program has been exceeded. All public schools
and state-funded independent schools administer

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ANA according to the standardized time table
every year. This program continues to be improved
and maintained.
■  The DBE has increased the number of Grade 12
and university entrance passes and improved the
quality of National Senior Certificate (NSC) results.
Learners passing NSC examinations or Matric with
university entrance have more than doubled from
about 70 000 in 2000 to over 170 000 in 2013.
The quality of passes continues to improve as
demonstrated by the 2014 NSC results; and this
program is being maintained.
The following are work in progress from the 2014–
2019 government term:
■  The Ministerial Task Team on the National Senior
Certificate (NSC) whose brief was to investigate
issues around the NSC, including the value of Life
Orientation and Environmental Education, and
History as compulsory subjects in the curriculum,
submitted its report to the Minister and DBE
in June 2014. The report was discussed by the
Subcommittee on 03 November 2014. It is still
under discussion in the Subcommittee.
■  The ANA policy is being finalised and item banks
for Grades 7 and 8 have been developed to assist
with further analysis and remediation. The 2014
results showed no improvement in the Grade 9
mathematics, while languages have improved in
the same grade. Results have been analysed and
district reports completed to assist with ongoing
intervention.
■  The DBE has made good progress in dealing with
the media and coverage of issues in the sector.  
A proactive communication strategy is being
implemented to provide information and clarify
misperceptions on a variety of topics.
■  The Department has piloted the profiling of
educators in 10 out of a total of 52 districts in 2014
and has since initiated a project to update the
qualification profile of all teachers. To date, PERSAL
data has been received and analysis completed.
Detailed PED reports were developed and sent
to HoDs via the Acting DG requesting their
intervention in ensuring the closure of PERSAL
exceptions.
■  Based on the outcome of the study conducted
in 2013 on the implementation of the post
provisioning norms, the Post Provisioning Model
software will be revised to take into account all
relevant factors that affect post provisioning
including the socioeconomic context and curricula

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

needs. A different and more stable system of post
provisioning has been established to avoid yearly
movements of teachers between schools and
learners across provinces; and quality outcomes
have been linked to that.
■  The BE sector has adopted a centralized approach
in the procurement of Learning and Teaching
Support Material (LTSM) and most provinces are
employing the central procurement model.
■  The public BE sector has expanded its capacity
to print text books and workbooks and own their
intellectual property. These are being improved
continuously.
■  The DBE has developed the National Catalogues
for Grades 1–12 to ensure that uniform and
standardized textbooks are provided to all learners
across the system. Provinces are procuring from
these catalogues.
■  All public schools and state-funded independent
schools administered ANA according to the
standardized time table as a way of embarking
on a rigorous monitoring and evaluation of
performance in the education sector.
■  The sector has started with implementation of this
resolution that all teachers, principals and deputy
principals as well as education officials must be
assessed and evaluated with the intention of
improving their skills and accountability.The sector
is far from achieving its objectives. Comprehensive
progress reports will be submitted on this matter.
■  In order to address both the content knowledge
and methodology through quality teaching
leadership and management development,
PEDs are planning their programmes in stronger
alignment with the Integrated Strategic
Planning Framework for teacher education
and development (ISPFTED). The DBE has
established a National Institute for Curriculum
and Professional Development to tackle the selfdiagnostic assessments for teachers in Numeracy
and Literacy.
■  Accountability mechanisms have been developed
to ensure that teachers, principals and all officials
in the system are held accountable through an
efficient monitoring system utilizing modern
technology. Performance management has now
become accepted and systems are in place for this
to be implemented, monitored and supported by
the relevant officials in all schools. However, the
Subcommittee will receive a report on progress
being made in the implementation of performance

management and the use of modern technology
to achieve this goal.
■  The BE sector ensures that school principals
that are being appointed are appropriately
qualified and are also be appointed on merit.
The Subcommittee will receive from the DBE the
approved proposal on the Standards for South
African Principalship (SASP) for consideration.
■  As a step towards increasing teacher development
with regard to the use of sign language, a teacher
training manual for Foundation Phase and Grade 9
teachers has been developed. All Braille workbooks
developed are accompanied by Teachers’ Guides.
■  In preparation for the introduction of indigenous
languages in 2014, the DBE department has
finalized training manuals, versioning of lesson
plans and Grade 1 First Additional Language
workbooks. Lesson plans have been developed
and distributed to provinces in July 2014.
■  The DBE is implementing a program to phase out
multi-grade schools by 2020.  The Subcommittee
will receive a comprehensive report on progress
being made on the phasing out of multi-grade
schools, which will include the number of existing
multi-grade schools and a plan with targets for
the phasing out process. The DBE is providing
focused dedicated service and support to multigrade schools with elaboration at all levels in the
system starting from national to provincial, district
and up to schools level.
■  To sharpen efficiency in the sector, the Department
has introduced a number of initiatives and
incentives for children to enrol in schools and
attend schools regularly.These are measures being
taken to strengthen the basic education sector
to provide more opportunities for young people
as well as increasing retention, progression, and
completion rates in the basic education sector.
The Subcommittee will receive a report on the
number of children who enter schools per year,
number of those who drop out of schools and
plans to record and decrease the drop-out rates.
■  The department has focused on psychosocial
support programmes to address drop-out rates
especially at high school level and also embarked
on the Keeping Girls in Schools (KGIS) project.
■  The DBE and the DHET are expanding post school
options through collaboration to strengthen
and improve articulation between basic and
post-school education in order to expand the
effectiveness of credible post-school education

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

and training options. The Subcommittee will
submit a report on this matter. This includes
a report on the White Paper on Post-School
Education and Training.
■  The DBE implements programs that promote
inclusive education. The Subcommittee will
receive a report on the development and advocacy
of learning programmes linked to the National
Senior Certificate and the National Curriculum
Statement for consideration.
■  In implementing policies and programmes that
are geared towards the protection and promotion
of the rights of people with disabilities, including
embarking on a campaign for the protection of the
disabled in society with relevant stakeholders, the
department is strengthening district support to
all schools and mainstreaming of disabled people
in schools by mediating and institutionalizing the
Guidelines for Full Service or Inclusive Schools.
The Subcommittee will receive comprehensive
plans on identified needs and the establishment
of special schools for specific disabilities.
■  Basic Education and Higher Education and Training
sectors will submit a report to the Subcommittee
on the baseline, plans and progress report on the
training, employment and professionalization of
Grade R teachers, include plans to achieve targets
by 2018 and give an account of the conduct of
the Limpopo teacher training program which
produced about 300 university qualified ECD
practitioners who were subsequently lost to the
private sector.
■  The DBE is implementing programs aimed
at accelerating the implementation of a
Comprehensive Early Childhood Development
Programme, e.g. the development of policy,
detailed plans and strategies plus funding in
preparation for the expansion of the second year of
ECD plus collaboration between the Departments
of Social Development, Basic Education and
Health.
■  To promote school safety, the DBE and PDEs are
implementing in all provinces the 2nd phase of
the Partnership Protocol of linking schools with
police stations and the establishment of Safe
School Committees. 15514 schools have been
linked to police stations as at June 2014 and Safe
School Committees have been established.
■  The DBE continues to use school sport as the
bedrock for sport development and excellence.
The Subcommittee will submit a comprehensive
report, which will provide details of participating

92

schools and sporting codes schools and progress
registered to make sport compulsory in schools.
■  The DBE has ensured access to sport facilities
by people with disabilities. Its integrated school
sport programme continues to cater for disabled
children in each sporting code and sport facilities
used are accessible for use by people living with
disabilities.
■  The Council of Ministers and the DBE have
approved the promotion of arts and culture
through social cohesion programmes, such as the
hoisting of the flag, debating teams, music and
poetry as part of nation-building and creative
industry development. A focus on indigenous
knowledge systems and cultural studies will be
integrated to promote social inclusion in school
programmes.  A report will be submitted on these
matters including plans to include the programme
in the curriculum.
■  The DBE is developing a programme for further
promoting the arts in indigenous and historically
marginalised communities. The Subcommittee
has directed the DBE to act on this and to report
to it in 2015.
■  The DBE has commenced with the implementation
of programmes on indigenous languages. A
report on the state of development of policy on
indigenous African languages, which seeks to
ensure that the offering of one African language
is compulsory in schools, will be considered by the
Subcommittee in 2015.
■  The  DBE is  implementing programmes to improve
the performance of South African learners in
maths and science.   The sector will submit a
report of progress on implementation of plans to
improve the performance of learners in maths and
science, which will include collaboration between
South Africa and other countries such as Cuba
with which the DBE has agreements on education.
■  The Subcommittee noted that the DBE created a
new learning Space on the portal for Home Based
Education plus designed and developed a DBE
Cloud solution; and also that the DBE promotes
professional development for teachers in the field
of ICT. The DBE will submit to the Subcommittee
a detailed sectoral plan on ICT, a report on
promoting an e-literate society by making e-skills
a compulsory subject and that the curriculum
that focuses on end-user computing as well as
encourages young people to pursue careers in the
ICT sector.

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
■  Through the Quality Learning and Teaching
Campaign (QLTC), a number of stakeholders
contribute to quality improvement in education
after signing pledges indicating their role to be
played in demonstrating their commitment to
the non-negotiables. The stakeholders include
teachers, teacher unions, learners and parents,
Government Departments, Business, Community
Organisations
and
Non-Governmental
Organisations.
■  Education partners e.g. teacher unions are
highly involved in the development of teachers
where the Department allocates funding for
the training programmes through the Teacher
Union Collaboration (TUC), and the unions have
to account on the usage of these funds. Parents
are encouraged to participate in the education of
their children by serving in the School Governing
Bodies. The year 2015 is the year of SGB elections
which will be conducted countrywide in March.
■  The DBE and PDEs are implementing programmes
aimed at improving scholar transport.
The following are issues that are from the 2014–
2019 government term of governance which were
not implemented within the deadline provided
by resolutions of the 53rd National Conference.
They need intervention for them to be completed by
December 2017:
■  The Integrated Qualifications Management
System (IQMS) document has been discussed at
the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC)
towards a refined, improved and enhanced IQMS
as an efficient instrument for teacher assessment
and development. The IQMS has been reviewed.
The new instrument, now called the Quality
Management System (QMS) for School-based
Educators, was adopted by all parties in November
2014 at a special bargaining meeting of the ELRC.

■  Legislation on the appointment of school
principals has not been amended to allow for
a different method of appointment. The draft
amended legislation will be presented to the
Subcommittee.
■  The role of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in
the appointment of school principals has not
been clarified and communicated to all learners,
parents, communities and other stakeholders. A
report on this matter, especially in relation to the
review of the SA Schools Act, will be submitted to
the NEC.
■  The BE sector has not embarked on a program
to hold school Principals accountable for poor
management, poor discipline and poor outcomes.
A report on the implementation of this resolution
by the DBE and PDEs will be submitted.
■  The sector has not fully developed mechanisms
to enable the deployment of principals to areas of
need and for purposes of mentoring and coaching.
A report on the implementation of this resolution
by the DBE and PDEs will be submitted.
■  The DBE has not completed the legislative review
of the powers of School Governing Bodies with
regards to the locus of authority in terms of
language, and capacity of schools and curriculum
choices and appropriate policy and legislative
changes have not been made. The Subcommittee
will receive the said review report for consideration.
■  The DBE has not reported on a focused program
of developing SGBs in rural and township schools
through the funding that has been made available.
■  The DBE has not launched the advocacy campaign
encouraging SGBs to co-opt members with
appropriate technical skills to assist Governing
Bodies.

■  The BE and HET sectors have not been able to
ensure that certain category of teacher training
take place in colleges whilst strictly monitoring
quality at those institutions. The Subcommittee
will analyse the barriers and provide solutions to
the impasse on opening of nursing and teacher
training colleges and submit a report on this
matter.

■  The DBE has put in place programmes to
strengthen the two stream model of provisioning
which must be strengthened to reflect the balance
between the vocational and academic pathways.

■  The Subcommittee has received a report on the
review of the funding model for schools, which
includes the transformation of the Quintile model
to classify schools into fee-paying and non-fee
paying schools.

■  The DBE has not presented a long-term
comprehensive plan to the Subcommittee that
focuses on indigenous and grassroots sport
development in schools over the next 10 years.
The Subcommittee will submit a report on

■  The National Policy for Grade R has been finalized.
The Subcommittee will receive the draft policy,
implementation plan and resourcing plan by the
BE in consultation with the DSD and STC.

93

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

progress being made to develop indigenous and
grassroots sport over the next 10 years.
■  The issue of standardizing the curriculum and
content of history in all schools, public and private,
and of making history as compulsory subjects
have not received the necessary attention from
the basic education sector of the Subcommittee.

HIGHER EDUCATION
The performance of the higher education and
training sector is measured against the resolutions
of conference and the program that was adopted
at the ANC NEC Lekgotla of June 2014. The higher
education and training sector was, during 2013 to
2014 pre-election period, focused mainly on the
task of establishing a new department, namely the
new Department of Higher Education and Training.
ANC policies and programs were translated to the
government Programs of Action for implementation
as the mandate that was obtained from the South
African electorate.
The newly established Higher Education and Training
sector implemented its plans and programs with
distinction, despite the fact that it had a dearth of
skills and resources. This was necessary, as in the case
of all sectors, to complete the government election
mandate.
The following programs which were part of the
2009–2014 mandate were completed:
■  The establishment of a new Department of Higher
Education and Training.
■  The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) and Sol
Plaatje University (SPU) have been established in
August 2013 and construction has started.
■  The DHET has streamlined Sector Education and
Training Authorities (SETAs) and other institutions
to address existing and forecast skills shortages.
The work of the SETAs has been aligned with
the developmental agenda of the country. Their
governance structures have been standardised
and reduced in size, resulting in more resources
being directed towards training as opposed to
administration. The National Skills Development
Strategy (NSDS) III was adopted and implemented
as from 1 April 2011. The Minister will be initiating
a process of consultation with relevant social
partners in the area of skills development on
the draft SETA landscape and NSDS framework,
as the current dispensations is ending on 31

94

March 2016. The new SETA Grant Regulations
were implemented on 1 April 2013 to provide
guidance on how the levies should be spent with
a focused priority to address scarce and critical
skills through public training institutions. A policy
for a single national artisan learner funding and
administration system was implemented from
4 June 2013. This policy incentivised employers
to open up more artisan learner workspaces on
the basis of a guaranteed and sustainable grant
funding policy.
■  The DHET has, through the National Skills Fund
(NSF) ensured the following:  
o  The NSF disbursed in 2014-2015 an amount
of R125 million in addition to the R106
million in 2013-2014 towards the expansion
of the medical and veterinary facilities at
the University of Pretoria to double the
intake of MBChB students and Veterinary
Sciences students from the 2017 academic
year onwards. Work is well on course and is
due for completion in 2015. R114.5 million
remains committed towards completion of
the project. The expansion of the MBChB
programme and Veterinary Sciences at the
University of Pretoria is to address the acute
shortage of doctors, medical personnel and
veterinary scientists in the country.
o  The NSF disbursed in 2014-2015 an amount
of R47.4million in addition to the R8.5million
in 2013-2014 towards developing renewable
energy training facilities at the Cape
Peninsula University of Technology, known as
the South African Renewable Energy Training
Centre. Work is well on course and is due for
completion in the 2016–2017 financial year.
R49.6 million remains committed towards
completion of the project. This initiative is
the first of its kind in the country and seeks
to respond to the country’s adopted strategy
to promote renewable energy production in
order to supplement the current fossil fuel
energy production.
o  The NSF continues to expend on the
R2.5billion commitment towards construction
of the 12 new TVET college campuses and the
refurbishment of 2 existing campuses across
16 sites. Construction has commenced on 3
sites and construction at the remaining 13
sites will commence within the 2015–2016
financial year.
o  The NSF disbursed in 2014–2015 an amount
of R89.3million in addition to the R96million

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

in 2013–2014 towards establishing workintegrated learning facilities for engineering
students at the University of Johannesburg.
Work is well on course and due for
completion in the 2015–2016 financial
year. The work-integrated facilities include
a training workshop,   design centre and
industrialisation centre. R27.3million remains
committed towards completion of the
project. The project aims to provide on-thejob training to engineering students in order
to register as engineers. The facilities are not
limited to only engineering students from the
University of Johannesburg, but are available
to engineering students from across the
country.
o  Approximately R750million was disbursed
towards funding undergraduate and postgraduate bursaries in scarce and critical
skills through National Student Financial
Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and National Research
Foundation (NRF) in 2014-2015. This funding
is directed at over 13 000 undergraduate and
over 1 300 post-graduate students taking
programmes in all the 26 Universities.
o  R2.5billion continues to be expended
towards expanding the TVET college sector
benefitting an additional 25 000 learners in
2014–2015, with R0.960billion remaining
committed towards the expansion of the
TVET college sector.
o  R300million has been allocated towards
the establishment of the South African
International Maritime Institute and the
roll out of an extensive National Cadetship
Programme on maritime.  This is in response to
the recent focus of the country on developing
a vibrant blue or oceans economy.
The following are challenges that are still work in
progress from the 2009–2014 government term of
governance:
■  A Ministerial Task Team was established to
ascertain whether community service for
graduates is feasible within South Africa and to
propose a model for implementing community
service for graduates. A report on this matter
was supposed to have been finalised by the end
of March 2015. The HET sector expects that this
report will be approved by the Minister by the end
of June 2015.
■  The Department is working on plans to realise
closer alignment between the research funding

strategies of the Department of Higher Education
and Training (DHET), Department of Science and
Technology (DST) and the National Research
Foundation (NRF). The Policy and Procedures for
Measurement of Research Output of Public Higher
Education Institutions was finalized. The revised
Research Outputs Policy has been published in
the Government Gazette for implementation.
■ 

The Department developed a document 2014
Survey of Former College of Education Sites which
provides a description of the current usage of the
former Colleges of Education across the country.
This is work in progress. Most of the colleges are
being utilised as TVET colleges, district offices
for provincial education departments or for
other purposes by provincial governments.
The Department has identified some sites for
development as TVET college campuses and
others as potential sites for teacher education
campuses. These are being explored together
with the provincial departments of education. The
most important limiting factor to the re-opening
of former Colleges of Education is the absence
of enabling policy and legislative framework.
Another factor that hampers progress towards
the re-opening of these colleges is lack of funding
to develop these campuses into effective delivery
sites for PSET education and training.

■  The Department is engaging with the Department
of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF),
National Treasury and legal services around
the function shift of Agricultural colleges and
expansion of veterinary sciences programmes.
It is expected that the Task Team appointed to
advise the Ministers on this matter will present its
recommendations by 31 March 2016.
■  The Subcommittee has noted the work that
is being done by the DHET towards student
accommodation.
■  The DHET is implementing programs towards
investing in priority skills and education, including
through improving performance in mathematics,
science and technology. Foundation Provisioning
Programmes were supported by the Department
for at risk first-time entering university students
and by 2013, these catered for 17 960 students.
Teaching Development Grants were provided
to universities for tutors and mentors to support
students as well as to develop the teaching
expertise of lecturers. It is anticipated that the
number of first year students in foundation
programmes will increase from 17 960 in 2013 to
approximately 30 000 in 2015.

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

■  Student selection and placement tests have been
instituted at Technical and Vocational Education
andTraining (TVET) colleges at the commencement
of the academic year to, among other things,
identify student numeracy and literacy gaps, and
advice on the most suitable programmes of study
depending on the students’ career interests and
academic competency levels. Several colleges
are now offering academic support programmes
in Mathematics and First Additional Language
towards improving the overall performance and
certification of all students.
■  The DHET is implementing programs to place
TVET colleges at the centre of a popular drive
to develop skills development for the economy.
The full function shift occurred on 1 April 2015
when all TVET colleges became a national
competency. TVET college student headcount
enrolments increased by 105% from 345 566 in
2010 to 708 885 in 2014. R1.5 billion has been
allocated from the National Skills Fund (NSF)
and an additional R1 billion from the Sector
Education and Training Authorities (SETAS)  
for the construction of 12 new TVET college
campuses and refurbishment of 2 TVET college
campuses across the country. An additional R2.8
billion from the NSF was committed to all 50 TVET
colleges, aimed at increasing the student intake
towards occupational directed programmes and
other programmes such as skills programmes,
apprenticeships and learnerships. A turn-around
strategy for TVET colleges was launched in 2012
with Human Resource generalists and Chartered
Accountants (CAs) deployed to TVET colleges.
College Councils have been appointed and are
functioning in TVET Colleges. Legislation was
enacted in 2010, 2012 and 2013 to move Further
Education and Training, and Adult Education and
Training functions from a provincial to a national
competency. Principals and Deputy Principals
have been transferred and been in the employ
of the Department since 1 April 2013. Provincial
staff formerly attached to Provincial TVET college
support units, have been transferred into the
DHET. The Apply Now Campaign was launched
to ensure that learners think about and apply to
their preferred institutions of further or higher
education and training timeously. This campaign
is also aimed at altering the largely negative
perception about TVET colleges.
■  The Department has developed a high-level TVET
college infrastructure budget expansion plan
and currently analysing the university campuses

96

infrastructure master and maintenance plans, as
well as disability audits.
■  The Department has published a Gazette late in
2014 listing the 12 TVET colleges who will now
deliver Higher Certificate (National Qualifications
Framework Level 5) qualifications in collaboration
with universities.
■  Annual teaching and learning plans are being
developed, and will be monitored annually
to ensure consistent work towards academic
excellence.
■  The DHET has conceptualised a foundational
learning programme (NQF level 1) and are in the
process to discuss this with QCTO for development
and implementation.
■  Recommendations of the Ministerial Task Team
appointed to review the National Certificate
(Vocational) [NC(V)] have been sent to Umalusi
for further consideration. Umalusi will start with
the NC(V) policy review towards implementation
in 2016.
■  In its quest to expand the resources devoted to
knowledge production, innovation and research,
Research Development Grants were provided
to universities to assist with the development of
research capacity, focusing mainly on providing
support to academic staff towards their Masters
and PhDs. The National Skills Fund (NSF)
committed R301million towards the funding of
bursaries via the National Research Foundation
(NRF) to increase the levels of postgraduate
studies and PhD’s in South Africa in response to
the New Growth Path,  Industrial Policy Action Plan
and National Development Plan, targeting over
1500 beneficiaries in postgraduate programmes.
To ensure the development of a new generation
of academics, the DHET set aside R50 million in
2012 and R70million for postgraduate students, as
loans through the National Student Financial Aid
Scheme (NSFAS).  In 2014, an amount of R74 million
was allocated to NSFAS to support postgraduate
studies, mostly Honours and MTech studies which
are under-represented in the funding provided
by the NRF with 2 020 students being funded.
For the 2015 academic year, R77million has been
allocated to NSFAS and it is expected that a similar
number of students will be supported.
■  In addition the Staffing South African Universities
Framework has been approved by the Minister and
the first phase of implementation commenced in
the 2015–2016 financial year, with the projected

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

appointment of 150 or more new academic staff
members. , the New Generation of Academics
programme (nGAP) has been approved and being
implemented. R272 million has been reprioritised
to support the first intake of 125 nGAP scholars by
July 2015. It is expected that there will be further
funding reprioritised to support a second intake
before the end of the 2015/16 financial year. If this
is achieved it is expected that the total number of
nGAP scholars will exceed the above-mentioned
target of 150 new academic staff members during
this financial year. The target includes that 80% of
the appointees will be black and/or women.
The following are issues that were not implemented
and remain from the 2009–2014 government term
of governance:
■  A report on transformation in public universities
has not been submitted.   The Subcommittee
noted that the DHET established in January 2013
an Oversight Committee on Transformation in
South African Universities.
■  The Subcommittee has not received a report
on the review and improvement of the National
Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) aimed at
encouraging students from working class and
poor communities to go to tertiary institutions.
The Subcommittee has noted that the DHET has
increased the NSFAS funding at Universities from
R2.2 billion in 2010 benefitting 148387 students to
R3.693 billion in 2013 assisting  194923 students.
This has been increased to R4.095billion in 2015,
which means that the fund has been doubled
in five years. NSFAS student bursary funding at
TVET colleges increased from R318million in
2010, benefitting 61706 students to R1.953billion
in 2013 assisting 220978 students.   It also noted
that NSFAS students in their final year were
provided with full cover of costs to study in 2011
with 57667 students benefiting in the 2011 and
2012 academic years totalling R1.9billion with
final year students, who successfully completed
their studies, had their loans converted to a 100%
bursary, as an incentive. The number of students
covered by NSFAS at universities will not be able to
grow without the injection of additional funding.
Currently only 205000 university students can
be supported per annum. The 26804 final year
students who were funded and graduated as
part of the final year programme amounted to
R1.1billion.
■  The Subcommittee has noted that the program
of the re-opening of teacher training colleges is

being implemented albeit without urgency. The
work done by the DHET has mainly concentrated
on expanding teacher training in or through
university campuses and not on the actual reopening of teacher training colleges. This work
by the DHET is in line with strategies contained
in the Integrated Planning Framework for Teacher
Education and Development in South Africa,
2011–2025.  The expansion and strengthening of
teacher education for all education sub-sectors,
including pre-schooling, schooling and postschooling has resulted in an increase from just
under 6000 new teacher graduates in 2008 to
16555 in 2013. The expansion initiatives that are
now in place will ensure that the country is soon
able to produce sufficient numbers of teachers.  An
enrolment planning process recently concluded
with universities indicated that the system will
produce in excess of 23000 new teachers annually
by 2019, thus largely addressing the teacher
supply-demand gap.
■  The first intake of 50 medical students for the
new medical school located at the University
of Limpopo (UL) which was scheduled for
January 2015 has been postponed to January
2016 as a result of the university having not
met requirements demanded by the Council
on Higher Education (CHE), as required in terms
of quality assurance procedures. However, the
university has received professional accreditation
by the Health Professional Council of South
Africa (HPCSA). This project of establishing a new
medical school is linked to the  Presidential Project
of building an academic hospital in Limpopo. In
terms of the academic hospital supporting the
training of medical students, the DHET has been
engaging with the Department of Health as there
is a comprehensive plan to develop/upgrade
academic hospitals.
The following programs which are part of the 20142019 mandates have been completed:
■  The unbundling of MEDUNSA from the University
of Limpopo has been completed. The MEDUNSA
campus has been incorporated into the Sefako
Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) on   
01 January 2015.
The following are work in progress from the 2014–
2019 government term of governance:
■  The DHET has established a Ministerial Task
Team to ascertain whether community service
for graduates is feasible within South Africa and

97

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
appointed an experienced researcher and expert
to conduct research that will inform the Task Team.
The Subcommittee will receive a report on impact
studies that will inform a policy on Community
Service for Higher Education Graduates, initially
targeting professional fields linked to national
human resource development priorities and
progressing to a community service scheme for
all higher education graduates.
■  The DHET has introduced a newly structured
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
to enable fee–free education from 2014 onwards.
NSFAS has implemented a new student centric
model on 7 October 2013 which makes it possible
for eligible students at higher education and
training institutions including TVET colleges to
apply directly to NSFAS for funding. First time
NSFAS applicants registered at 6 universities and
5 TVET colleges are able to apply directly in this
implementation phase.   The NSFAS new model
aims at repositioning NSFAS to provide more
efficient and effective financial aid to students
■  The Subcommittee received a preliminary report
on the support for the training of veterinary
science graduates. The HET sector will submit
a comprehensive report with policy, plans and
financial implications of the planned support
for the training of veterinary science graduates,
which will include progress being made in the
acquisition of funds or setting up of a bursary
fund to send South African students to colleges
and universities in SADC to counter-balance the
inflow of students from other countries in Africa.
The Department has made available for the 20152016 financial year an earmarked allocation of
R141.764million in terms of providing support
to the four universities involved in veterinary
education and training in South Africa. These
students, access funding through the special
NSFAS category for scarce skills. The DHET and
DAFF have established a task team to investigate
the feasibility of establishing a second faculty for
Veterinary Sciences in South Africa.
■  The DHET is working on the revitalization of the
academic profession. Its first phase is currently
being implemented following the Minister
approval of the Staffing South Africa’s Universities
Framework (SSAUF).
■  The DHET has not submitted to the Subcommittee
a comprehensive report on alleged irregularities
in the awarding of professorships by some HEIs,
which would include a list of corrective measures
taken to stop the practice. A briefing paper on the

98

Appointment of Professors was submitted.
■  The DHET is implementing programs to evaluate
against transformation targets of Councils and
governance structures of Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs). The Subcommittee will
receive a report of the Oversight Committee on
Transformation in South African Universities.
■  The Subcommittee has noted that the DHET is
working towards the finalization of a policy on
student accommodation; that it has allocated
R1.652billion towards student housing over the
period 2012–2015; and that it works with various
partners to address the provision of student
accommodation in the post-school system.
R1.413billion has been ring-fenced for historically
disadvantaged institutions and campuses.  Existing
infrastructure funds for the period 2012–2013 to
2014–2015 have been allocated largely to those
universities with the greatest needs and backlog.
The draft Policy on Student Housing at Public
Universities and Minimum Norms and Standards
was published for public comment on 11 April
2013.  Comments were received and analysed; and
this draft policy was updated. A joint Treasury and
Departmental team is working on the funding
policy which was scheduled for publication by    31
March 2015.   However, challenges related to the
funding of this program have not been resolved.
The Department has planned a student-housing
symposium to explore other means of financing
student housing, which will be held on 22 June
2015.  It is expected that the final updated student
housing policy will be ready for gazetting by the
end of July 2015.
■  The Subcommittee has noted the report of the HET
sector on lecturer capacity development focusing
on content training for lecturers on learning
areas as well as programmes where academic
performance was below par in the previous
years. The DHET will submit a report on Quality
Assurance in colleges to the Subcommittee.
■  The DHET has not succeeded in getting all
government departments to pay their Skills
Development Levies. The Subcommittee has
noted with concern allegations that the Premier
of the Western Cape is spearheading a campaign
to undermine the decision of Cabinet on the
payment of Skills Development Levies by all
government departments. The DHET is examining
the appropriateness and adequacy of the legal
framework for the enforcement of compliance
by all government departments of provisions
of the Skills Development Act (SDA) and Skills

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
Development Levy Act. The amendment of the
Act, to enforce the contribution of levy to SETAs by
public service employers, forms part of the broader
discussion of the White Paper implementation
and new SETA landscape processes. With the
Public   Service Sector   Education   and Training  
Authority   (PSETA) revenue,   in line with the
guidance   provided   in the National   Treasury’s  
circular   of 10 July 2014,   national departments   
have applied   or are applying   for the creation  
of transfers   for the Public   Service Sector  
Education   and Training   Authority   (PSETA)   in
2014–2015.  The PSETA finally for the year ended
31 March 2015, received R47,806030.38, from
government departments. The  National Treasury
has further issued a Circular, on the 15 January
2015, which states that “…The 2014 MediumTerm Expenditure Committee and the Ministers’
Committee on the Budget have recommended
and Cabinet has approved additional funding
for PSETA for the 2015 Medium Term Expenditure
Framework (MTEF) period in support of its training
projects. In this regard, the 2015 Appropriation Bill
includes a single transfer for PSETA through Vote 10:
Public Service and Administration. This creation
of, and increase in transfers for PSETA in a single
vote means that other national and provincial
departments no longer need to create transfers
for PSETA from 2015–2016 onwards, unless such
transfers are meant for a different purpose. As
undertaken in the National Treasury’s circular,
a sustainable mechanism for funding PSETA
over the 2015 MTEF period and onwards has
been determined…”
■  The DHET has not submitted a proposal to
the Subcommittee on central coordination of
internships that must be monitored or controlled
in all departments throughout all levels of
government.  The Subcommittee was informed by
the HET sector that the coordination of internships
in the public service is the responsibility of the
Department of Public Service and Administration,
as directed by the Human Resource Development
Council of South Africa (HRDSA).
■  DHET has developed a draft concept document on
the single point of access for public to gain access
to learning programmes, which is still subject to
internal discussions together with the process
towards the implementation of the White Paper
for Post-School Education and Training and SETA
landscape processes, a Draft concept Document:
Single Point of access to learning programmes was
submitted.  The DHET is implementing a Central
Application Service (CAS), which is being piloted

in phases towards a single point of access into the
whole of the post-school education and training
system.
■  The DHET has intensified its Campaign against
Corruption. An amendment to the Higher
Education Act was done in 2012 to ensure that
university Council members and management
declare their business interests to prevent them
benefiting from contracts with institutions.Student
governance rules to stop students from being part
of tender committees have been instituted. There
is no university currently under administration.
There is no TVET college that is currently under
administration. Forensic investigations have
been initiated at 11 TVET colleges. Currently
there are 3 Principals and 7 Deputy Principals on
precautionary suspension. Thus far, 2 principals
have tendered their resignation and 2 principals
were dismissed after undergoing disciplinary
processes. The Governance Charter for all the
SETAs is being developed which will address
some of the weakness identified in governance.
The first draft Governance Charter is in place
and is in the process of consultation. There are
currently three (3) Sector Education and Training
Authorities (SETAs) under administration, i.e.
Local Government SETA (LGSETA), Culture, Arts,
Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Education and
Training Authority (CATHSSETA) and Safety and
Security Sector Education and Training Authority
(SASSETA). The report that will be submitted to
the Subcommittee will include progress on the
work of the DHET in dealing with bogus colleges
plus proposals of steps, such as the amendment of
existing laws, to be taken to deal with the scourge.
The following are issues that are from the 2014–
2019 government term of governance which were
not implemented within the deadline provided
by resolutions of the 53rd National Conference.
They need intervention for them to be completed by
December 2017:
■  The HET sector did not finalize the policy on
free higher education to all undergraduate level
students for adoption before the end of 2013. The
Subcommittee noted that the Ministerial Working
Group on Fee-Free Higher Education completed
its report in mid-2013 and that the Minister
elected not to publish the report, but rather to
work with its recommendations to develop a draft
policy statement. The DHET, NSFAS, HESA, SAUS,
National Treasury, Council of Higher Education
and Department of Performance Monitoring and

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Evaluation, held a joint workshop at the end of
July 2014 to discuss and explore the challenges
around these issues. It was agreed that a policy
dialogue process, as recommended in the
Ministerial Report on Fee-Free Higher Education
for the Poor, should be entered into, in order
to develop a set of regulations that could be
utilised to regulate the awarding of loans across
the system in a fair manner, while the short fall in
funding exists. This process is underway and the
first policy dialogue took place in mid-October
2014.  The Second policy dialogue has taken place
and data is being collected from all institutions to
inform the process going forward. Three further
policy dialogues have been scheduled for the
2015–2016 financial year, which will inform the
policy on fee-free education. The target date for
amendments to NSFAS Act and draft regulations
to be published for public comment is March
2017.  The sector will submit to the Subcommittee
the final draft policy on free higher education to
all undergraduate level students.
■  The Subcommittee has noted that the DHET has
developed a draft Framework for Staffing South
Africa’s Universities Framework (SSAUF), which it
intends to begin implementing in the 2015–2016
financial year. The Subcommittee will receive a
report on this matter and the draft framework.
■  The DHET has not introduced a newly structured
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
to enable fee-free education from 2014 onwards.
However, NSFAS has implemented a new student
centric model on 7 October 2013 which makes it
possible for eligible students at higher education
institutions and TVET colleges to apply directly
to NSFAS for funding. First time NSFAS applicants
registered at 6 universities and 5 TVET colleges
are able to apply directly in this implementation
phase.  The NSFAS new model aims at repositioning
NSFAS to provide more efficient and effective
financial aid to students.
■  The HET sector has not used the current NSFAS
as a basis for introducing the newly structured
scheme.The Subcommittee will receive a report on
progress being made on using the current NSFAS
as a basis for introducing the newly structured
scheme.
■  The DHET has not utilized a policy dialogue model
to develop a fully-fledged costing model.
■  The HET sector has not submitted proposals for
consideration to be given to a “Graduate tax” for
all graduates from higher education institution.

100

■  The DHET has not implemented Community
Service for all students who are funded from
the fiscus, government bursaries and/or loan
schemes as yet. The Subcommittee will receive a
comprehensive proposal that reflects on policy
and legal issues pertaining to the immediate
implementation of Community Service for
all students who are funded from the fiscus,
government bursaries and/or loan schemes.
■  The DHET has not submitted to the Subcommittee
a consolidated plan with estimated costs of
infrastructure requirements to expand the postschool education and training system, which will
be linked and coordinated by the Presidential
Infrastructure Coordination Council (PICC).
■  The DHET has not moved as directed by conference
all public colleges, specifically Agricultural and
Nursing colleges currently under provincial
authority, to a national competence in line with
the constitution.
o  The DHET did not immediately after the
conference transfer all Agricultural Colleges
to the Department of Higher Education and
incorporated them fully into the post school
system, as directed by the resolution.
o  The DHET did not immediately after
conference transfer all nursing colleges to the
National Department of Health and ensured
that these operate under the requirements
of the Higher Education Act of 1997 as
amended, and are  fully incorporated into the
post-school system in terms of articulation,
governance, information systems and skills
planning. The Subcommittee will receive a
combined report from the DHET and the DoH
on this matter.
■  The DHET has not submitted the full audit of
all former College of Education infrastructure
undertaken to identify those colleges which are
not being utilised for educational purposes or
are underutilised and could be productively used
to expand post school education and training
opportunities. The Subcommittee has received a
report entitled 2014 Survey of Former College of
Education Sites, which is work in progress.
■  The DHET has not recapitalised all former colleges
not utilised for educational purposes,   e.g. as
university campuses, TVET college campuses,
teacher development institutes or centres, for
foundation and intermediate phase teacher
education or as TVET college campuses, or for
other post school education purposes.

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

■  The HET and Science & Technology (S&T) have
not submitted to the Subcommittee before the
end of 2013 the final document on the Policy and
Procedures for Measurement of Research Output
of Public Higher Education Institutions, which
aims to promote research and development.
■  The first intake of 50 medical students for the
new medical school located at the University of
Limpopo (UL) which was scheduled for January
2015 and is linked to the Presidential Project of
building an academic hospital in Limpopo has not
been done.

Further reports from Higher Education
and Training sector on other matters,
work and mandate
The following are reports that the Subcommittee on
Education and Health will receive from the Higher
Education and Training sector for consideration and
forward-submission to the NEC before the NGC:
■  A report of the Special Committee on the
Transformation of Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs).

departments and the private sector.
■  The centralization of applications for Higher
Education Institutions.

HEALTH
The health sector’s mandate is reflected in its 2009–
2014 ANC Ten Point Plan, the 2011 Negotiated
Service Delivery Platforms plus the POA that was
adopted at the ANC NEC Lekgotla of June 2014.  
The Ten Point Plan and the 2014 POA were translated
to the government Programs of Action in the first
Cabinet Lekgotla that took place immediately after the
2009 and 2014 national and provincial elections. The
POAs were further refined, at the level of government,
into the  Negotiated Service Delivery Agreements that
were signed between the President of the Republic
and the Minister of Basic Education.
The Health sector implemented its plans and programs
throughout the 2013–2014 May period with distinction.
This was necessary, as in the case of all sectors, to
complete the government election mandate that was
based on the 2009–2014 Health Ten Point Plan and the
Negotiated Service Delivery Program.

■  The Higher Education and Training funding model
that is informed by the report of the Ramaphosa
Commission and a model that is biased in favour
of the Historically Disadvantaged Institutions of
Higher Learning.

The following programs which were part of the
2009–2014 mandate were completed:
■  Adopt annual integrated plans to ensure unified
action across the health sector in pursuit of goals.

■  The criminalization of non-registered bogus
colleges.

■  Under the Implementation of the National Health
Insurance (NHI), finalize policy proposals on the
NHI.

■  A review of the curriculum content of the National
Senior Certificate – Vocational (NSC-V).
■  A policy document on the alignment of FET
Academic schools, Technical schools and TVET
colleges.
■  The initiative that has been embarked upon to
attract better qualified TVET lecturers and staff.
■  Discussions between Higher Education & Training
and Higher Education South Africa (HESA) on the
standardization of points or scores for purposes
of admission to universities or universities of
technology.
■  The provision of opportunities for graduates to
undergo practical training as agreed between
the Minister of Higher Education and Training,
in his capacity as a convener of the Human
Resource Development Inter-Ministerial Task
Team, and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), sister

■  Set up the Office of Health Standards and
Compliance (OHSC), as a National Quality
Management and Accreditation Body.
■  Perform an audit of Health ICT at all levels of the
National Health System public sector only.
■  Draft the National ICT Strategy for Health.
■  Implement quality improvement plans for the 18
identified health districts.
■  Evaluate all CEOs of hospitals to ensure that
they meet minimum requirements for effective
management of the said facilities, and institute
corrective measures where indicated, including
re-training and/or redeployment.
■  Do a feasibility study for the establishment of a
leadership academy for health managers.
■  Improved
Human
Resources
Planning,
Development and Management; and the review

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

and refinement of the Human Resources Plan for
Health.
■  Develop norms and standards for Human
Resources for all levels of the health system.
■  Develop a National Health Infrastructure Plan
that incorporates the use of PPPs and that is also
modelled on the 2010 infrastructure delivery
programs.
■  Finalize the Health Technology Plan and Strategy.

health outcomes.
■  Refine and scale up the detailed plan on the
improvement of quality of services and direct its
immediate implementation.
■  Strengthen health-specific management capacity
for programs and facilities, especially hospitals.
■  Evaluate and strengthen the District Health
System and Primary Health Care.

■  Finalize the Health Technology policy and
regulations.

■  Review all policies, legislation, regulations and
directives that led to the closure of nursing schools
and colleges.

■  Implementation of the PMTCT and Paediatrics
Treatment and Adult Treatment guidelines

■  Expand the scope and numbers of Community
Health Workers.

■  Collaborate with United Nations agencies and
other multi-lateral bodies for technical support

■  Strengthen programs against MDR-TB and XDRTB.

■  Mobilize financial and other resources from the
Global Fund and other major donors.

■  Improve drug supply and management.

■  Mass mobilization for better health for the
population , Intensify health promotion programs.
■  Strengthen programs focusing on disabled
persons.
■  Intensify the implementation of programs to
attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
■  Strengthen programs focusing on Maternal, Child
and Women’s Health.
■  Focus on non-communicable diseases, injuries,
patient’s rights and quality plus provide
accountability.
■  Finalize and implement the Health Promotion
Strategy targeting the Youth.
■  Strengthen community participation mechanisms,
governance structures and consumer bodies to
improve the health of the population.
■  Develop a proposal and strategy for policy review.
■  Review of drug policy.
■  Strengthen all work and efforts to ensure
affordability of drugs.
■  Research to accurately quantify Infant Mortality
Rate.
■  Research into the impact of social determinants of
health and nutrition.
The following are challenges that are still work in
progress from the 2009–2014 government term of
governance:
■  Development of a Social Compact for better

102

■  Draft plans for the establishment of a state-owned
drug manufacturing entity.
The following are issues that were not implemented
and remain from the 2009–2014 government term
of governance:
■  Pursue a program that ensures that South Africa
contributes meaningfully to and continues to gain
from work with and in the SADC, Africa and the
global community
■  Development of legislation to support the
creation of the NHI
■  Under Overhauling the health care system and
improve its management, draft proposals for legal
reforms to unify the public health service.
■  Develop a decentralized operational model
including new governance arrangements.
■  Finalize delegations for all managers at all
levels of the public health system, with special
attention on hospital managers or CEOs to ensure
decentralization of management.
■  Develop an accountability framework for the
public and private sector.
■  Draft plans and allocate resources for the reopening of nursing schools and colleges in the
2010 academic year.
■  Finalize plans for the creation of auxiliary
personnel, including a frame-work for task shifting,
for all categories of health professionals.
■  Increase access by and output of targeted groups,
namely Historically Disadvantaged Individuals

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

(HDIs), Women, persons with disabilities and
Youths from academic health complexes.
■  Improve the research output, especially
from formerly disadvantaged health training
institutions.
■  Review the accessibility, output and research
capacity of academic health complexes.
■  Urgent implementation of refurbishment and
preventative maintenance of all health facilities.
■  Strengthen provincial departments of health
capacity to deliver and maintain health
infrastructure for primary and secondary health
facilities
■  Review the funding of the revitalization
programme and submit proposals to get
participation of the private sector to speed up this
programme.
■  Strengthen programs against TB at a primary care
level.
■  Complete the South African Demographic and
Health Survey 2008.
■  Support research studies to promote indigenous
knowledge systems and the use of appropriate
traditional medicines.
■  To support health research that promotes
partnerships that promotes the protection of
health from climate change.
The following programmes which are part of the
2014–2019 mandate have been completed:
■  Conference welcomed the report that the DoH has
a National Human Resource Strategy for Health.
■  Non-negotiables for health, e.g. pharmaceuticals,
security, vaccines, food, dry dispensary, have been
adopted as a policy and good practice for hospitals
and clinics and a strategy of monitoring availability
of essential goods and services. The sector will
report on the monitoring of implementation of
this resolution and incidents of shortage plus
plans to prevent the said shortages.
■  The DoH, in partnership with Departments of
Social Development and Economic Development,
civil society, and international development
agencies, launched the National Family Planning
Campaign in Tembisa in February 2014.
■  Regulations on diet and salt content in foodstuffs
to enforce salt reduction in the food industry were
signed on 18 March 2013.

The following are work in progress from the 2014–
2019 government term of governance:
■  The NHI fund has not been set up as yet using
state revenue.  The resolution directs that the fund
be set up urgently by 2014. However, discussions
have been initiated between the Department of
Health and the National Treasury through the
facilitation of the Presidency.
■  ANC and government are working to mobilize of
broad social support for the roll out of the NHI. The
Gauteng ANC and government have undertaken
roadshows to popularise NHI in the NHI Pilot
districts in 2013.
■  The Ministry and National Department of Health
have not yet assumed responsibility and overall
management of Central Hospitals.
■  The National Department of Health has not as
yet implemented programs to ensure improved
management and related capacity of central
hospitals to deliver services efficiently and
effectively, as the NDoH has not yet assumed
full responsibility and management of Central
Hospitals. However, full delegations for all
managers in Tertiary and Central Hospitals have
been developed; and relevant areas of policy and
legislation related to this resolution are being
considered.
■  Critical services such as cleaning services, security
services, food services and laundry services and
linen supply are not as yet being provided inhouse.
■  The department has commenced with direct
delivery of pharmaceuticals, dry dispensary
and related supplies to facilities by suppliers to
ensure improved turnaround times and prompt
payment of suppliers. It has also started with the
implementation of the Direct Delivery Strategy
(DDS), Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing
and Distribution Programme (CCMDD), the
operationalization of the Control Tower and
Provincial Medicine Procurement Units (PMPU);
end-to-end visibility in the supply chain
and electronic data interchanges and Direct
Purchasing. The sector will report on these
programs and the extent of their roll out.
■  The DoH has introduced central procurement
mechanism for Antiretrovirals (ARVs), Small
Volume Parenterals and Insulin Devices. A report
will be submitted to indicate the extent of roll
out of the said procurement mechanisms to all
pharmaceuticals, dry dispensary and medical
equipment and devices.

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

■  The Health and Science and Technology sectors
will submit to the Subcommittee a combined
report on ensuring that the State is a majority
shareholder in, Ketlaphela, the state-owned
pharmaceutical company and indicate progress
being made in this venture.
■  Government is working on strengthening the
capacity of rehabilitation services in the public
sector with a focus on mental health, physical
disability, gender based violence, childhood
trauma and substance abuse. The Subcommittee
will receive the approved Rehabilitation Model for
implementation and a report that incorporates
plans of the DBE under “Youth” for consideration.
■  In order to accelerate the training of health
professionals in collaboration with the Ministry
of Higher Education and local Universities and
where necessary to extend training to outside the
borders of our country; the DoH has expanded
the Mandela-Castro Health Collaboration by
increasing  intake of students from about 90 per
annum to close to 1000 per annum in 2012. Most
local universities have expanded their training
platform for medical students thereby increasing
their total intake per annum. The Subcommittee
will receive a report with plans, figures or numbers
on the implementation of this resolution.
■  The ANC and government have embarked on
activities to promote healthy lifestyles through
mobilization of individuals and communities
to engage in physical activities, good dietary
practices and reduction of harmful use of alcohol,
tobacco and to control of substance abuse. The
Subcommittee will receive a report based on
district plans to indicate numbers of people
participating in these activities and those that are
being screened for various chronic diseases.
■  An Ombudsperson responsible for Quality of
Health Care has not yet been appointed. The
deadline for this appointment was 2013.
■  Facility improvement teams have been introduced
in all facilities in the 10 NHI pilot districts. The
Subcommittee will receive a report and plans on
the acceleration of the establishment of facility
improvement teams in the all of the 52 health
districts as per resolution.
■  The DoH gazetted in 2012 draft regulations to
ban smoking in public places and certain areas
outdoors. The Subcommittee will receive a report
on the finalization of this matter.
■  The DoH has embarked on programs aimed
at accelerating the contracting of General

104

practitioners to work in government clinics. This
program has not met its targets year-on-year. The
Subcommittee will receive a report in this regard.
The following are issues that are from the 2014–
2019 government term of governance which were
not implemented within the deadline provided by
resolutions of the 53rd National Conference. They
need intervention for them to be completed by December
2017:
■  The National Pricing Commission to regulate
the health care costs in the private sector
was not established in 2013 as per resolution.
The DoH is waiting for the finalisation of and
recommendations from the Market Enquiry
into the Private Health Sector Costs to inform
appropriate interventions.
■  The DoH and DHET have not moved the primary
training platform for nurses to locate it at
nursing colleges inside the hospitals. Instead, the
Department embarked on the process of assisting
public Nursing Colleges to be ready to offer NQF
aligned nursing qualifications. The DOH will
provide the Subcommittee a report on progress
plus a plan to accelerate the refurbishment of
nursing colleges, the number of nursing colleges
that have already been refurbished and targets of
refurbishment per province up to 2017.
■  The National Health Commission was not launched
in 2013 as directed. Draft legislation on the
establishment of the National Health Commission
has been developed and fast-tracked but still has
to be finalised by Cabinet for publication. The
Subcommittee will receive the draft legislation
and a report with a time-table that indicates its
projected processing through Parliament.
■  The DoH established the OHSC nationally by the
inauguration of the national Board of OHSC in
January 2014. The deadline for this launch was
2013. The Interim CEO for the National OHSC was
appointed on 01 April 2014 and the OHSC has not
been established in all nine provinces.
■  The DoH and DBE have not concluded consultation
of parents on school health programme, in relation
to reproductive health rights, HIV Counselling and
Testing and prevention of Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STIs). However, the first round of
the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination
campaign for 2015 took place during 23 February
– 20 March 2015.  All 9 year old learners or older
Grade 4 girls received the vaccination. The
Subcommittee will receive their combined report.

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

■  Laws to abolish marketing of alcohol products
were not passed by 2013 as directed by the
resolution.

■  The absorption of Sun Space (Pty) Ltd into Denel
Dynamics as per Cabinet resolution was a key
milestone meant to complement the National
Space Strategy and strengthen the development
of the satellite and space industry in South Africa

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The following are challenges that are still work in
progress from the 2009–2014 government term of
governance:
■  The Minister has mandated the recently appointed
NACI to develop a decadal science, technology
and innovation (STI) plan.

The mandate of the Science and Technology sector
is reflected in the ANC programmes and plans for
the 2009–2014 period of governance.  Those were
translated into the government POA for the same
period. The sector POA that was adopted at the ANC
NEC Lekgotla of June 2014; and its translation into
government policies and plans is reflected in the
2014–2019 MTSF.
The Science, Technology and Innovation sector
implemented its plans and programs throughout
the 2013-2014 May periods with distinction. This was
necessary, as in the case of all sectors, to complete the
government election mandate that was based on the
2009 Election Manifesto and the 2009-2014 Medium
Term Strategic Framework.

■  The Minister of Science and Technology has
met with the Minister of Finance to discuss the
proposal for the establishment of the research
and innovation vote. Both Ministers agreed to
set up task team which will look into the sources
of funding including national and provincial
government, corporate social investment, private
sector investment in research and development
and international funding,  especially philanthropic.
■  Identified new emerging industries led by R&D
through Emerging Industrial Action Plan (EIAP).

The following programmes which were part of the
2009–2014 mandate were completed:
■  The announcement on 25 May 2012 that South
Africa has won the bid to host the Square
Kilometre Array (SKA)radio telescope project
marked the completion of a mandate for the DST
to lead in the effort of getting a project of massive
scientific significance to South Africa, Africa and
the Southern hemisphere. This is significant as it
includes the recognition of the MeerKat telescope,
a South African product, as a critical component of
the SKA project.

■  Initiated technology localisation programme
aimed at supporting industries in order to
strengthen their technology capabilities, to find
contracts from competitive supply demand
programme (CSDP) and SOCs as well as export
new products.

■  Science, technology and innovation (STI) have
been included and identified as one of important
contributors to socioeconomic development
by the National Development Plan (NDP), New
Growth Path (NGP) and Industrial Policy Action
Plan (IPAP).

■  The DST is implementing programs to transform
and strengthen South Africa’s research capacity. At
the end of 2014–2015 financial year, South African
Research Chairs Initiatives (SARChI) had a total of
153 awarded chairs.  Of these, 73% were recruited
in South Africa, 23% were women and 30% were
black.

■  The launch of a pilot plant for the development
of Titanium metal powder in June 2013 at the
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), progress made in the Flourochemicals
Expansion Initiative and strides made in the
implementation of the Aeroswift Program, which
is an example of the next generation of additive
manufacturing technologies, are some of the
projects embarked upon by the DST towards new
industry development on the basis of novel or
promising technologies.

■  Initiated sector innovation fund for R&D support
to existing industries.
■  Supported over 2000 small, medium and micro
enterprises (SMMEs) through the Technology
Stations Programme.

■  The DST established numerous human capital
development (HCD) initiatives and programmes
in support of a wide range of strategic imperatives
that include financial support to the postgraduate
students.   A total of 11335 postgraduates were
funded through the DST funding programmes
for their postgraduate studies in 2014–2015
financial year.  The DST supported a total of 4 064
researchers during the 2014–2015 financial year.
■  The sector implements the Youth into Science

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

Strategy to enhance youth’s access to science,
engineering and technology (SET),  as contribution
to endeavours to develop high end SET scarce
skills.
■  The DST has contributed to about 2000 graduates
and students placed in the DST funded work
preparation programmes in Strategic Energy
Technologies Information Systems (SETIs)
including its science councils, national facilities
and museums for the past two to three years.
The following are issues that were not implemented
and remain from the 2009–2014 government term
of governance:
■  Improvement of uptake of Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI) outputs within government
or public sector.
■  Local procurement of STI outputs.
■  Changing the current preference by South Africans
of foreign technologies over locally developed
technologies or products.
■  Expansion
capacity.

and

transformation

of

research

■  Significantly increasing funding for black and
female students and emerging researchers.
■  Setting funding aside to send masters and PhD
students abroad, i.e. growing the DST contribution
towards the establishment of South Africa’s
External Skills Incubator.  
The following programmes which are part of the
2014–2019 mandate have been completed:
■  The principle of mainstreaming Science,
Technology and Innovation in the ANC,
government and the private sector has been
adopted. In an effort to mainstream SIT inside
and outside government, the DST plays different
roles and undertakes different activities. Those
include as being the Co-Chairs of the Economic
Sectors, Employment Creation and Infrastructure
Development (ESE&ID) Cluster and championing
activities such as Improving Research and
Development (R&D) partnerships with industry,
building institutional and interdepartmental
instruments to help ensure that promising R&D
matures into new industries, and increasing the
level of R&D activities in the country as a percentage
of GDP. The DST also leads the development of
the Emerging Industries Action Plan (EIAP), which
contributes to a coordinated and well-managed

106

R&D-led industrial development programme.  The
EIAP has the added benefit of serving as a platform
for potential collaboration or co-funding between
local and foreign partners, as areas for potential
collaboration or co-funding.
The following are work in progress from the 2014–
2019 government term of governance:
■  The first dish of the MeerKat, which will form 25%
of the first phase of the SKA, was launched in March
2014. This project is on course and continues to
contribute to assist South Africa to attract other
radio-astronomy initiatives such as the C-Band All
Sky Survey (C-BASS) and the Precision Array for
Probing the Epoch of Re-ionisation (PAPER).
■  A highlight of the 2012/13 financial year was the
expansion of the broadband connectivity to all the
major campuses of tertiary educational institutions
through the continued implementation of the
SANReN programme. A total of 139 research and
educational sites have been connected with highspeed networks ranging from a minimum of one
to a maximum of 10 gigabits per second.
■  The DST with the DBE, the ECDE, the DRDLR and
with officials, teachers, SGBs, local government
and community leadership in the Nciba circuit in
the Cofimvaba District have embarked on a pilot
project, which is being monitored by HSRC. This
project is used to assess the extent to which quality
outcomes can be achieved by the introduction of
a range of innovative technologies such as ICT
in schools, alternative energy supply, sustainable
sanitation options, e-Health in clinics and hospitals,
nutrition through local supply of ingredients
by small scale agricultural developments and a
combined Science Centre and Teacher Resource
Centre in Cofimvaba.
■  The Department and the CSIR’s Wireless
Mesh Network technology project connected
200 schools in Nkangala (Mpumalanga) and
Sekhukhune (Limpopo) districts. The project
has since been expanded its rural connectivity
project by launching the Northern Cape phase
of the wireless mesh network (WMN) technology
initiative. This project aims to reduce poverty
through job creation, economic growth and
better quality of life. Approximately 27 410
learners and 772 teachers are benefiting from
the project. Discussions are at an advanced stage
with a private sector mining company in Northern
Cape to provide further funding for the expansion
of the network to other areas in the province with
small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) that

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

has taken over the maintenance of the project.
■  The DST and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
(BMGF) have entered into an innovative agreement,
namely the Sanitation Technologies Agreement,
whose purpose is to provide access to sanitation
services in rural areas. Through this agreement
a variety of innovative sanitation technologies
have been selected and are being piloted in rural
schools in the Eastern Cape (Phase I). In addition,
arrangements have been finalized with some of
the technology demonstrators and a selection
process within the 27 district municipalities has
been initiated. The demonstration in some Nciba
Circuit schools is in progress.
■  The Ministry of Science and Technology
provides strategic leadership and coordination
of the National System of Innovation (NSI). The
Minister has mandated the recently appointed
NACI to develop decadal science, technology
and innovation (STI) decadal plan. The Minister
approved the expanded role and functions of
the NACI as part of strengthening the capacity
of the NSI to meet socioeconomic development
challenges facing South Africa.  That includes the
promotion of bilateral relations to enhance the
implementation of STI policies.  The Subcommittee
will receive a detailed report that will include the
alignment of DST plans with priorities of sectors
such as agriculture that contribute to economic
development.
■  The Minister of Science and Technology is in the
process of submitting to Cabinet a memorandum
on the research and innovation vote to ensure that
government adequately finances and capacitates
the National System of Innovation (NSI) and target
achieving 1,5% expenditure of GDP by 2017. The
DST has modelled the 1.5% Growth Expenditure on
Research and Development (GERD) target in terms
of this means in Rand terms.  The DST has identified
potential sources of funding, including national,
provincial and local government, corporate social
investment, private sector investment in R&D and
international funding - especially philanthropic.  
It shared the results of the analyses with a task
team made up of representatives of the DST and
National Treasury (NT).
■  Various initiatives and programmes continued
to be supported during the year under review in
the Bio-economy arena. These have resulted in
South Africa being ranked number 36 amongst 54
countries in the World Review of Biotechnology
(2014). One of the key achievements was the
signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU)

between Pfizer Inc and the North West University
(NWU) in June 2014 towards the potential use
of Pfizer’s genetically modified animal models,
for evaluations in oncology, inflammation,
immunology, central nervous system and cardio
vascular system disorders. This is expected to
contribute towards the development of the
pharmaceutical sector in South Africa in terms of
the Bio-economy Strategy and of the Industrial
Policy Action Plan (IPAP) of South Africa.  Preclinical
testing is a crucial step in the establishment of this
sector as it forms part of the development and
registration of any therapeutic product.  A national
Preclinical Drug Development Programme for
South Africa was instituted by the Department
and includes the establishment of a national
Preclinical Drug Development Platform (PCDDP)
for small animals at the North West University.  
This platform is meant to serve all researchers
and companies involved in drug development in
South Africa and beyond.  
■  Other initiatives implemented by the Department
continued to generate significant research
interest as evidenced by the publication in the
Nature Journal of an article on the Eucalyptus
Genome Platform collaboration between the
University of Pretoria, the Forestry and Agricultural
Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the Department.
As part of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems
(IKS) Bioprospecting and Product Development
Platform’s cosmeceuticals flagship project, an
access and benefit-sharing agreement was signed,
for a skin-tone candidate product, between a
cosmeceuticals consortium and the community
of Kundabakazi in the Eastern Cape in September
2014. This agreement underpins the commitment
for the bioprospecting platform programme for
compliance with the national legislation that
regulates bioprospecting work for a pipeline
of innovative products.   This watershed signing
event symbolises the efforts to reduce biopiracy
while strengthening indigenous knowledge
associated with national biodiversity. These Bioeconomy RDI initiatives have also resulted in the
generation of four publications in journals and
one copyright (Copyright on Moringa Vitamin
Water). In addition a total of 154 postgraduate
students were supported in the Bio-economy
related RDI initiatives.
■  In the Energy domain key partnership agreements
were signed between the Department and the
South African Post Office (SAPO) and Transnet.
These agreements are expected to see these
organisations deploying fuel cell technologies

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

that are developed by the three Hydrogen South
Africa (HySA) centres of competence (CoCs)
towards reducing their higher energy bills and
carbon foot-print by virtue of their vast and
geographically dispersed infrastructure, including
buildings and a large mostly diesel and petroloperated engine and vehicle fleets. The year also
saw the launch of an innovative 2,5 kW hydrogen
fuel cell power generator prototype unit at the
University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Nature
Reserve which was also expected to lower its
energy bills and carbon foot-print. These HySA
CoCs have also resulted in the generation of 32
publications in peer reviewed journals and two
patent applications being filed – one on hydrogen
storage and supply system integrated with fuel
cell power pack that comprises liquid and one
on Metal Hydride Storage Container. In addition
a total of 142 postgraduate students were
supported in the energy related RDI initiatives.  The
TIA also approved R9,987,114 for the nine month
HySA Telco Project being undertaken by HySA
Catalysis together with local and international
partners.   The project involves providing a
methanol based fuel cell for providing power to
a telecommunications base station. Some funding
to the value of £101,000.00 over three years,
i.e. £37,000.00 per annum, has been secured by
HySA Catalysis to support fuel cell development
activities over a three year period from SuperGEN
and Newton Fellowship through the University of
Southampton.  The Royal Academy of Engineering,
in partnership with the TIA, awarded the “Leaders in
Innovation” Fellowship to Dr Steven Chiuta of HySA
Infrastructure to visit the United Kingdom for a
training course on technology commercialisation
from 16 March to 25 March 2015.  The Fellowship
brings the leading technology entrepreneurs from
the Newton Fund partner countries to the UK for
an intensive training course on innovation whilst
also building Business-to-Business networks with
similar enterprises in the UK.
■  The Department’s Commercialisation Framework
was approved during the reporting period.
Advanced plans are underway to implement the
framework in terms of proposals received from
the CSIR. Part of this work will include plans on
implementing the Emerging Industries Action
Plan (EIAP) concept note as developed by the
DST. In addition, a total of sixty-five interns were
assigned to work for host companies as part of
the DST-Technology Top 100 (TT100) Workplace
Internship Programme.  

108

■  The Nanotechnology Vision 2015 for South Africa,
a roadmap for nanotechnology innovation,
in South Africa was also approved during
the reporting period. Agreements were also
concluded for the Nanotechnology Health,
Safety and Environment (HSE) Platform and
Code of Conduct, as well as support provided to
the MINTEK Nanotechnology Innovation Centre
(NIC) for the Implementation of the South AfricaRussia Cooperation in nanotechnology research.
Additional infrastructure funding was provided
to the CSIR’s NIC for their nanotechnology pilot
facility. The photonics and robotics initiatives
managed by the CSIR were both resuscitated. A call
for proposals in the photonics Emerging Research
Area (ERA) was issued, resulting in numerous
projects identified for funding, whilst plans for a
call for proposals supporting robotics RDI were
progressed to an advanced stage. These ERA RDI
initiatives have also resulted in the generation of
40 publications in peer reviewed journals and one
patent applications being filed (one PCT patent
granted in the Nano TB project patent number).
In addition a total of 111 postgraduate students
were supported in the ERA related RDI initiatives
with a total of 18 graduating during the year.
■  A significant achievement for the period under
review, was the completion of the first NIPMO
Incentive Scheme Guideline for Intellectual
Property Creators (IP Creators) seeing over 360 IP
Creators being awarded a Certificate of Recognition
for their role in the creation of an invention for
which a South African Patent was granted.   Key
guidelines, practice notes and interpretation
notes developed included the Guidelines for
the operation of the NIPMO Incentive Scheme,
Guidelines or the IP Fund as well as the long
awaited Guideline on IP Ownership. NIPMO also
launched its Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)
Framework and Technology Transfer Manual in line
with the legislative mandate for NIPMO to provide
best practices to the Department’s stakeholders.
■  Toward the end of the financial year, Cabinet
approved publication of the draft Bill for the
Protection, Promotion, Development and
Management of Indigenous Knowledge Systems
(IKS) Bill for a comment period of 60 days.   The
draft Bill would formally establish and define the
functions and role of the National Indigenous
Knowledge Systems Office.   Another important
regulatory intervention will come to bear when the
Accreditation and Certification Policy Framework
is approved by Cabinet.

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

The following are issues that are from the 2014–
2019 government term of governance which were
not implemented within the deadline provided by
resolutions of the 53rd National Conference.
They need intervention for them to be completed by
December 2017:
■  The DST and DHET have not submitted to the
Subcommittee before the end of 2013 the final
policy document on the Policy and Procedures for
Measurement of Research Output of Public Higher
Education.

SPECIAL REPORTS:
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF
PROGRESS OF COMMON PROGRAMMES
Infrastructure
■  The DBE and PDEs are implementing plans that
are focusing on the delivery and maintenance
of school Infrastructure urgently and in an
integrated manner. However, this remains a great
challenge, as there are still backlog in delivery and
maintenance of infrastructure and persistence of
under-spending.
■  The DBE has developed a comprehensive
school building program which is coordinated
by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating
Committee (PICC). Infrastructure developments in
the education sector have been integrated with
the broader socio-economic developments of
government and provincial programmes funded
through the EIG and ES and the Accelerated
Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI)
have been submitted to the PICC.
■  DHET has secured 16 sites for the construction
of 12 new TVET Colleges and the refurbishment
of existing campuses. The tender evaluation
and adjudication process is underway for the
remaining 13 sites.
■  The DoH under the auspices of the PICC, conducted
a comprehensive audit of all health infrastructure
to ensure that the revitalization and refurbishment
of all substandard infrastructure will be executed
by 2025 using the public fiscus and public-private
partnerships where appropriate. The health sector
will submit a report on this resolution to the
Subcommittee.
■  The DoH has establishes teams of engineers
and other professionals in built industry from,
e.g., the CSIR, DBSA, Transnet, Eskom, to provide
health infrastructure on a massive scale in the

pilot districts in order to shorten the pilot period.
The IUSS has been introduced to assist improve
delivery of infrastructure and expenditure.
The restructuring of the Infrastructure Unit of
the NDoH and establishment of Infrastructure
Program Office is currently underway. The DoH still
experience the challenge of under expenditure.
The health sector will submit a report to the
Subcommittee indicating the number of team
established and the target for the sector plus
timelines.
■  Provincial health departments have established
effective project management teams led by
Technical professionals such as engineers.
The health sector will submit a report to the
Subcommittee indicating the number of team
established and the target for the sector per
province plus timelines.
■  The DoH has established workshops in health
facilities for maintenance of infrastructure and
medical equipment. The Subcommittee will
receive a report on this matter with plans, targets
and estimated costs.
■  The DST is implementing the Square Kilometre
Array (SKA) and MeerKAT project coordinated
through
the
Presidential
Infrastructure
Coordinating Committee (PICC).   The Board of
the international SKA Organisation in March
2015 agreed on the design of the first Phase of
the SKA, called SKA1, which will fit into the € 650
million budgeted for its construction. The detailed
design is now proceeding and construction
of SKA1 is expected to start in 2018. The first
dish of the MeerKat, which will form 25% of the
first phase of the SKA, was launched in March
2014. This project is on course and continues to
contribute to assist South Africa to attract other
radio-astronomy initiatives such as the C-Band All
Sky Survey (C-BASS) and the Precision Array for
Probing the Epoch of Re-ionisation (PAPER). The
outstanding reputation of the SKA SA team and
of the MeerKAT has led the Max Planck Society
(MPG) of Germany to invest 11million Euros to
build S-Band receivers and fund all the necessary
ancillary equipment for the MeerKAT.   The SKA
SA human capital development programme
has been very successful in bringing young
people into astronomy and engineering and
strengthening university teaching and research. In
total 699 grants and bursaries have been provided.
We have extended this to our African partner
countries and now have additional support from
the UK government’s Newton programme for

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

the development of radio astronomy capacity in
Africa.   Big Data is the obvious spin-off from the
SKA, which will produce much more data at a rate
much faster than the entire worldwide web. The
challenges being faced in dealing with this deluge
of data in the SKA project is similar in extent to that
expected in the commercial environment within
the next five years. The fact that IBM has opened
a new laboratory in Johannesburg and CISCO
donating $5m worth of equipment to NMMU is
proof of the global ICT industry’s high regard for
Big Data.
■  Ketlaphela, a government project for state
pharmaceutical manufacturing, is on course.
■  The DST has, through the South African National
Research Network (SANReN) and broadband
access initiative, connected 139 research and
educational sites using high-speed ICT networks.
The ICT Research, Development and Innovation
(RDI) Roadmap has allowed the DST investment
into ICT RDI to grow significantly and be aligned to
national priorities, creating an ICT RDI ecosystem
that is attractive to foreign direct investment. As
such during the 2014–2015 period, ICT multinational companies invested over a R373million
over 10 years into ICT R&D investment. The DST
established a three year partnership worth R66.6
million in investments. The strength of the South
African ICT RDI ecosystem led the private sector
to substantially increase their investment into
R&D in this country, with their research agendas
directed by and aligned to the ICT RDI Roadmap.
Apart from the direct DST investment benefits,
the ICT RDI Roadmap has also influenced other
developments within the ecosystem. The NRF has
approved 3 related research chairs: Innovative
Small Satellite Technology and Applications
for Africa at the Cape Peninsula University of
Technology; Enabled Environments for Assisted
Living at Tshwane University of Technology
and Advanced Sensor Networks at University
of Pretoria. Universities such as the University of
Witwatersrand and Sol Plaatjies University has
both setup Data Science programmes, with the
latter the first institute on the continent to offer an
undergraduate degree in Data Science. Initiatives
such as the Health Patient Registration System
with the Department of Health (DoH) has been
implemented at 38 facilities across 8 provinces
allowing 328639 registered patients to benefit
from improved healthcare information systems.

110

Job creation, economic growth and youth
empowerment
The departments of Basic Education and Health
rank among government departments, at a national
and provincial level, as some of those with the
highest number of employees. Their contribution to
government job creation and job placement is material.
All sectors in the Subcommittee collaborate with other
government departments and the private sector to
implement programs, such as the Expanded Public
Works Programs, School Health and Early Childhood
Development, which contribute to activities under
discussion.
■  The DBE contributes immensely towards job
creation initiatives through the ASIDI programme,
Kha Ri Gude, Internships and the National School
National Programme. Details of this contribution
are contained in the main body of the report. The
DBE has not reported on its investment in priority
skills related to education. A report outlining key
priority skills for radical economic transformation
will be presented to the Subcommittee for
consideration and forwarded to the NEC and NGC.
■  The DHET has, through its contracting strategy
of the Sol Plaatje and Mpumalanga Universities,
created at least 564 jobs through work associated
with infrastructure development.   The TVET
college infrastructure program has resulted in
about 825 employment opportunities in three
(3) out of sixteen (16) identified sites mentioned
above.
■  The DoH has through its 3535 Data Capturer
Project employed 2855 data capturers. KwaZulu
Natal absorbed the majority of its data capturers
into full-time employment.   The DoH has more
than 30 000 Community Health Workers (CHW).
These CHWs are employed by the DoH and NGOs.
Job creation and youth employment that accrues
from the DoH infrastructure program, which
includes facility maintenance, is massive and will
be quantified.
■  The DST is funding the Aeroswift program, which
is integral to the next generation of additive
manufacturing technologies. This program is
expected to have substantial impact on existing
manufacturing processes and technologies. The
DST invested, under the National Biotechnology
Strategy (2001), an amount of R2 billion to develop
the South African biotechnology-related system
of innovation. The top seven biotechnology
companies invested in at that time are now
generating just under R1 billion per annum.  The
DST supported South African participation in

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

a project sequencing the Eucalyptus genome,
and the resultant technology advancement is
maintaining the competitiveness of the forestry
sector and also drives increased profits. The DST
also funds a project that employs the “sterile
insect technology” to dramatically reduce the
pest population. This has made it possible for
farmers to realise additional harvest benefits of
up to R512 million.  The DST is involved in projects
to improve technology-based competitiveness
of the established primary economic sectors
through, e.g. ICT, automation, miniaturisation and
the ability to mine, manufacture or beneficiate
products on a smaller scale. Initial progress
has been made in this regard through the
establishment of partnership programmes such
as the sector innovation fund initiative.  The PostHarvest Innovation programme and a similar
partnership on mining and minerals beneficiation
are examples of programs supported by the DST
to extend the partnership model to priority sectors
of the economy. These programs are well aligned
with IPAP, and include forestry, sugar, aquaculture,
and boat-building. Over the last decade, the DST
focused its Research and Development (R&D)
investment on promising mineral beneficiation
opportunities, particularly where South Africa
enjoyed technology development advantages
and where studies have confirmed long-term
increases in demand; e.g. the direct production
of titanium metal powder and growing the fuel
cell development capabilities. The DST provides
support to approximately 2 000 SMMEs annually
by promoting access to technological services
via the Technology Stations Program (TSP), which
is hosted by the Technology Innovation Agency
(TIA).   This enables SMMEs to access specialised
equipment, knowledge and innovation support.

Youth
■  Sectors in the Subcommittee are implementing
plans to strengthen and implement policies
and programs to eradicate drug abuse and
alcohol-related risks as key component of
youth development work. The Subcommittee
will present an integrated implementation and
funding plan plus progress report which will
include drug-testing guidelines, the involvement
of school-based support teams, oversight by
national and provincial Portfolio Committees
plus the development by the health sector of
community-based programs for detoxification
and rehabilitation.This will be done in consultation
with the STC.

■  The DBE and the DoH implemented a rightsbased comprehensive sexuality education in
schools. The two sectors have not made sufficient
progress towards improving access to Sexual and
Reproductive Health Services and family planning
for the youth, despite the implementation of a
schools health programme.  Educators have been
trained on sexual and reproductive health and
SGB Guidelines plus Tool Kit developed by the
DBE. 4 364 Life Orientation educators were trained
on the implementation of sexual and reproductive
health programmes for learners during quarter
4. The Department of Basic Education has, on 5
May 2015, released the Draft National Policy on
HIV, STIs and TB for public comment. The DBE and
DoH will submit to the Subcommittee a combined
report on the implementation of rights-based
comprehensive sexuality education in schools.
■  In view of the DBE indicating that it is no longer
responsible for the provision of sanitary wear for
the Indigent Girl Child since the Department of
Social Development is responsible for the said
project.  The Subcommittee will work towards the
establishment of a community-based program
that consolidates all initiatives that provide
sanitary wear for the indigent girl-child with the
involvement of communities, the private sector
and the support of the Department of SMMEs.
■  In 2014 the DHET reached learners in 6812
schools through the Apply Now Campaign. This
complemented the Career Development Services
Helpline (0860 356 635), Khetha radio program,
social media platforms, the National Career
Advice Portal (NCAP) and other career awareness
events and activities. The DHET highlighted
approximately 425 095 opportunities that are
available to 2014 Matriculants within the PSET
system at universities, public TVET colleges, and
in various industries that collaborate with Sector
Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). The
sector develops and strengthens the capacity of
its institutions to respond comprehensively to the
challenges posed by the HIV and AIDS through
the Higher Education and Training HIV & AIDS
Programme (HEAIDS).
■  The DST assigned 108 Interns to host companies as
part of its internship program. The DST supported,
by 30 June 2014, over 6655 postgraduate and
post-doctoral fellows through bursaries managed
through the National Research Fund (NRF).The DST
funds about eighty (80) sites across all provinces
to prepare, through activities of the National
Science Week, the youth for science careers and
to promote the building of research capacity. The

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

DST supports Dr Math, a mobile tutoring service
which allows users to receive maths tutoring by
accessing tutors on their cell phones via MXit
network, Dr Math has over 25000 registered users
to date.

Learner Pregnancy 
■  The DBE and PDEs are implementing a
comprehensive programme focusing on Sexual
Reproductive Health (SRH) and education
outcomes to keep girls in schools. The
Subcommittee will receive a progress report on
the implementation of recommendations of the
2009 DBE report entitled Teenage pregnancy in
South Africa – with a specific focus on schoolgoing learners.  The DBE has come up with a draft
policy for the Prevention and Management of
Learner Pregnancy. This policy is an alternative
to the previous policy that punished learners
for falling pregnant. The proposed new policy
considered the rights of the learner to education,
dignity and the right of privacy. The draft policy
would be circulated to Provincial Education
Departments.

A summary of progress made towards the
achievement of the MDGs
South Africa has done relatively well and is therefore
in a position to achieve most of its targets towards
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the
following areas: promotion of universal primary
education;  promotion of gender equality and empower
women; reduction of child mortality; improvement of
maternal health; combatting of HIV & AIDS, malaria and
other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability;
and the development of a global partnership for
development.  The country is not likely to achieve the
goal of eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by
target date.

ORGANISATIONAL FACTORS, IN THE
ANC AND GOVERNMENT, INFLUENCING
THE ABILITY OF SECTORS TO DELIVER
Leadership
The Subcommittee on Education and Health has
provided the necessary leadership and oversight over
this sector. Regular meetings and support of various
sectors by the Subcommittee and the SGO has ensured

112

that these sectors are able to surmount challenges
that arise from time to time. Poor leadership and
management, especially at lower levels of government
institutions, have a negative effect on the ability of
government to deliver.
Technical support systems for the Subcommittee
to research, compile documents, train members of
leadership structures in the sector is necessary for
strengthening of the Subcommittee at national and
provincial level in order for the Subcommittee to
perform to its maximum.
Policy inconsistencies by political leaders and
executive managers pose political and administrative
risks.
ANC Executive Authority in government, namely
Ministers and Deputy Ministers, should be utilised
maximally for the best effectiveness of implementation.
The activation of policy pronouncement made by the
President in 2009 that Deputy Ministers should have
formal delegations and be given specific areas of
responsibility could be realised through amendments
to relevant legislation such as the Constitution, the
Public Service Act and the Public Finance Management
Act. This could provide the necessary legal framework
for the Deputy Ministers to be more gainfully
employed, especially ANC Deputy Ministers
Maximum of use of ANC capacity in Offices of
Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MECs and Mayors:
The ANC would perform better and service delivery
would improve if the appointment and movement
of strategic human resources, e.g. Chiefs of Staff and
Special Advisers, were consciously used to their
maximum political benefit.
Ministers and MECs must be held to account by the
ANC and society for the resolution of perennial human
resource challenges in departments. Executing
Authorities must perform regular assessments of
institutional organisation structures and staff job
descriptions as directed by the Public Service Act and
the PFMA.
Sectors and departments must manage the
engagement and use of consultants to improve
service delivery.  Qualified staffs employed by various
government departments must deliver according to
their job descriptions.  The ANC must lead in ensuring
that government derives maximum benefit from
appropriate use of consultants and that there is political
leadership provided by Executing Authorities for their
appointment and deployment by the administration.

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

Better management of financial resources
and donor funds

■  Poor planning, delivery and maintenance of
infrastructure, especially maintenance thereof.

Poor management of funds available from the fiscus,
as demonstrated by audit reports compiled by the
Auditor General and poor management of donor funds
compromise the ability by various sectors to deliver
on their mandate. The Subcommittee will take greater
interest in the management of financial resources and
donor funds of sectors, especially Basic Education and
Health, and report accordingly to the NEC.

INTEGRATING ISSUES OF GENDER
AND DISABILITY IN THE WORK OF
THE ANC AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF
SECTORS TO EMPOWERMENT AMONG
DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

Better distribution of financial resources
between various levels of government
National departments are by their nature focused on
policy formulation plus monitoring and evaluation;
whilst provincial departments, districts and institutions
are responsible for delivery of services. Most funds,
including donor funds, should be therefore allocated
to facilities, districts and provinces, as service delivery
takes place in facilities. Basics of decentralisation of
management of services must be implemented, as
there are instances where funds from donors, e.g.
billions of Rands for education and health programs,
are alleged to have been either returned to the
European Union or dumped on service providers and
consultants because of the lack of capacity of national
departments to spend. This happened despite many
provinces having a dire need for these funds for their
operational activities.

Instability caused by the high turnover of
senior managers
The high turnover of sector deployees and senior
management including DGs is a hindrance. The
Subcommittee will analyse the turnover, especially of
political heads, heads of departments and Directors
General, in sector departments at district, provincial
and national levels and determine the effects of the
said turnover on the ability of government to deliver
on its mandate. Findings and recommendations will
be communicated to the NEC for consideration.
The following cross-cutting issues are stumbling blocks
to delivery by government departments, especially for
the health sector:
■  Poor human resources planning, development
and management.

The Subcommittee on Education and Health has
consistently and deliberately sought to integrate
issues of gender, disability and youth into its plans and
programs.

ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF
THE WORK OF SECTORS TO FRATERNAL
RELATIONS AND COOPERATION IN
SADC, AFRICA AND THE WORLD
The ANC Subcommittee on Education and Health
has no formal program of collaboration with former
liberation movements in SADC countries and beyond.
However, the Mandela-Castro Health Collaboration is a
program of medical training whose success depends
on the good relations that exist between the ANC and
the Communist Party of Cuba.
All sectors of the Subcommittee participate in various
fora which promote bi-lateral and multi-lateral relations
at the level of government, e.g. UNESCO and the World
Health Organisation. This has not been translated into
activity that benefits the ANC directly. The same is true
for work that is being done with other governments in
Africa, in BRIC countries and in other parts of the world.
The Subcommittee will submit a report on its
contribution to the work of the ANC in promoting
cooperation, especially with former liberation
movements and those who supported the ANC
struggle and programs against apartheid. It will also
report on plans and progress made in ensuring that
ANC political work is done and Party-to-Party relations
are promoted during visits to other countries through
structured interactions with political leaders of parties
allied to the ANC.

■  Poor
financial
management,
including
inappropriately appointed Chief Financial Officers
and lack of financial management skills.

IDENTIFYING CRITICAL PRIORITY AREAS
AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OF
PLANS AND PROGRAMS FOR QUICK
WINS TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF
TARGETS BY DECEMBER 2017

■  Failure of systems in procurement or supply chain
management.

The Subcommittee regards as critical the commitment
of the ANC to radical social and economic

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
transformation. The following priority areas and
intervention measures have been identified per sector
to give effect to that call and for quick wins to ensure
that the mandate of the ANC is implemented with
greater urgency from now on and after the NGC:

■   ANC structures in provincial and national
legislatures

■   ANC Subcommittees on Education
  and Health

■  ANC Members of Portfolio Committees will be
required to report in line with the mandate of
the Subcommittee. Their reports include their
performance of oversight over the Executive,
their contribution to law-making, e.g. drafting
legislation on making schooling compulsory, and
their work in Provinces and local communities.

The Subcommittee will identify human and financial
resources that are at its disposal and use those to its
maximum benefit. These resources include activists
that are working in the public and private institutions,
policy units, research bodies and those deployed
abroad. The Subcommittee aims to do the best with
what is available to execute its mandate.
The following will be attended to with a renewed
sense of urgency:
■  Implement a plan to ensure that all sectors
account for all the commitments made to deliver
on each of the resolutions reflected in this report
and submit reports to the NEC where indicated.
■  Ensure that all provinces are assisted to have
functional Provincial and Regional Subcommittees
on Education and Health, and that these report
regularly on the work of the subcommittee
including the work being done in ANC branches
and with the Alliance.
■  Implement a plan to ensure that the Subcommittee
responds to directives contained in resolutions,
especially those whose deadlines were missed.
■  Implement campaigns such as the Quality of
Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) with a
renewed sense of urgency.
■  Energise ANC branches to embark on campaigns
to ensure that SGBs, Clinic Committees and
hospital boards are truly representative of and
account to communities.
■  The ANC must communicate its achievements in
these sectors to the masses of our people on an
ongoing basis.
■  Local Government must play a critical role in
supporting Education, Health and Science &
Technology.
■  The structures of the movement are encouraged
to actively participate in the activities of the
Subcommittee. This entails attending meetings of
the subcommittee.

114

■  These structures have started to submit reports
on their execution of tasks that emanate from
meetings of the NEC Subcommittee. This will be
institutionalised and maintained.

■   Cross-cutting priorities for all
government sectors
■  Encourage plus assist sectors to establish or
strengthen systems in departments for good
governance and delivery to last beyond 2017.
■  Reintroduce practical or on-the-job training for
all college and some university students, viz.
compulsory rotations, bed-side training and
work during vacations for technical and medical
students.
■  Consolidate all Reproductive Health issues and
re-formulate the plan to integrate the work of
education, health and social development.
■  Identify and resolve factors that are responsible
for the inability or failure of government to
implement ANC resolutions on the re-opening of
colleges, especially nursing and teacher training
colleges. These factors include the absence of
appropriate policy and the necessary enabling
legal framework for the re-establishment of
the college sector, which includes TVET and
community colleges.
■  Consolidate strategies, plans and efforts of all
sectors in the subcommittee for effective delivery
and maintenance of infrastructure, appropriate
technology and equipment for schools, clinics,
hospitals, colleges, universities and relevant
science and technology sites; and conclude
the macro infrastructure plan for the university
education sector by March 2015.
■  Encourage all sectors to identify and support
innovation in addressing both social and
technological challenges.
■  Promote and support the local, provincial, and
national commitment to increase investment in
research and development to achieve the 1,5% of
GDP in Manifesto.

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS

■   Basic Education
■  Engage trade unions for members to accept redeployment and re-skilling.
■  Working towards strengthening programs in
Maths, Science and Technology, the sector will
introduce Technical Mathematics and Technical
Science in 2016. It will also provide support to
the Intermediate and Senior Phases laying solid
foundation required to succeed in studying the
MST subjects at the FET level.
■  In order to realise the objective of making Learner
Teacher Support Material (LTSM) available and
to provide a textbook for every learner, in every
subject, in every grade, the sector will build the
capacity of the State to develop, print and deliver
LTSM.
■  In order to promote Inclusive Education, the sector
has initiated a process of developing the South
African Sign Language (SASL) curriculum for
grades R to12, whose implementation will follow a
phased-in approach starting at Foundation Phase
and grade 9 from 2015 to end with implementation
at grade 12 in 2018. Training focused on more
than 250 teachers and Deaf Teaching Assistants
from the implementing grades in 45 schools will
be implemented from 2015 onwards.
■  Information Communication Technology will be
prioritized for implementation at schools to act
as an anchor for the radical transformation of the
basic education.
■  Teacher Development will be prioritised to
enhance teacher performance and quality of
learning and teaching support through increasing
the depth of content knowledge of our teachers.
■  Reading Promotion and Library and Information
Services will be prioritised to enhance learners’
knowledge and skills, help them to succeed
academically and prepare them to be active
members of their communities.  
■  The National Education Collaboration Trust will be
used more to galvanise members of communities,
teacher unions, traditional leadership and
businesses into district steering committees
to work with the district offices, schools and
communities in order to drive improvement
activities in the target schools.
■  Provide psycho-social support to schools.
■  Ensure that education is regarded as a continuum.
■  Allow for a discussion with stakeholders to reflect
on the frequency and scope of the ANA test,

notwithstanding its positive reception.
■  Ensure that we sustain the momentum of the
infrastructure programme, with particular
reference to the provision of water and electricity.
■  Ensure that the Ministry of Telecommunications
and Postal Services works closely and
collaboratively with the Departments of Science
and Technology and Basic Education to provide
rapid universal connectivity for ICT as an enabler
for quality education.
■  Explore ways in which schools with amenities share
their resources with historically disadvantaged
schools, given the disparities in resources because
of the legacy of apartheid
■  That we swiftly move to a quality management
system to enable the DBE to assess the
competencies of educators for development
purposes and to encourage self-assessment by
educators.
■  To discourage frequent curriculum changes in
order to avoid change fatigue.
■  Fast track the implementation of the LURITS
system to enable the education sector to track
learners from basic to higher education.
■  Intervene in the intermediate and senior phase of
school especially in the area of mathematics.
■  Provide support to Learner Representative
Councils (LRCs) to better understand their roles in
the governance of school.
■  Mobilise communities to oppose tendencies to
target schools as part of civil disobedience.
■  Improve the efficiency of scholar transport
provision.
■  To embed our constitutional values and principles
as well as those of the Freedom Charter in the
Curriculum.
■  Improve efficiency in the roll out of the National
School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
■  Commitment by all parties to maintain labour
peace during the period of salary negotiations.

■   Higher Education and Training
■  Prioritise the finalisation of policy for free higher
education to all undergraduate level as a matter
of urgency, with the aim of implementation by
2018 provided funds are available to support such
a decision.
■  Finalise the policy on Community Service for

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
all students by July 2016 and commence with
implementation by December 2017.
■  Fast track the conclusion of the work of the
various committees and structures to ensure
that progress is made by December 2017 on the
project of shifting of Nursing and Agricultural
Colleges currently under a provincial authority to a
national competency in line with the constitution.
■  Engage all relevant structures of the ANC and
government to avail resources to ensure that
good progress has been made by December 2017
on the recapitalisation of all former colleges not
utilised for educational purposes.  
■  Publish in the Government Gazette by January
2015 the statement on Policy and Procedures for
Measurement of Research Output of Public Higher
Education Institutions and finalise Policy and
Procedures for Measurement of Research Output
of public HEIs by March 2015.
■  Finalise the Higher Education and Training
funding model and framework by March 2015 and
implement the approved framework by the end of
March 2016.
■  Urgently put in place sustainable mechanisms
which include law enforcement agents to enforce
the criminalization of non-registered bogus
colleges.
■  Prioritise the conclusion of the development of
the Central Applications Service architecture and
operationalize the system of centralization of
applications for Higher Education Institutions by
March 2018.
■  Back to school campaign must be extended to
include Higher Education Institutions.
■  Disagreements at HEIs must be dealt with in
a disciplined manner without resorting to
vandalism and destruction of property or acts of
intimidation.
■  Conclude work of the various committees and
structures on shifting Nursing and Agricultural
Colleges to a national competency by March 2017.
■  Finalise Higher Education and Training funding
model and framework by March 2015 and
implement approved framework by March 2016
■  Fast track Central Application Service (CAS) for
implementation by March 2018.
■  Engage all relevant structures of the ANC and
government to avail resources.

116

■  Implementation of forensic audit of NSFAS at
institutions by March 2015 linking this up with the
Gap funding.
■  Implementation of first phase of Staffing South
African Universities Framework by 1 July 2015.
■  Education Alliance must have a programme to
support the Post-School Education and Training
(PSET) system.
■  Monitor HEIs to ensure they are not are using the
national benchmark test as a hindrance to the
transformation agenda.
■  Ensure that the Departments of Higher Education
and Training and Science and Technology work
collaboratively, cohesively and in an integrated
manner in the promotion of Science, Maths and
Technology to support the Department of Basic
Education’s newly established Maths, Science and
Technology unit.

■   Health
■  On the implementation of the National Health
Insurance (NHI)
o  Actively engage all relevant structures of
the ANC and Alliance in the movement and
in Parliament to fast-track the finalization of
the White Paper on the NHI and the necessary
legislative framework to ensure that the NHI
Fund and legislation are in place by the date
of the next national conference.
o  Implementation of the NHI starts at PHC level,
as that would be affordable.
o  The
matter
should
be
discussed
comprehensively at a broad meeting of the
Subcommittee on Education and Health.
■  On the establishment of the NHI fund, this matter
must be finalised by health and Treasury.
■  On the Expansion of free Primary Health Care
o  Prioritise and intensify the roll out the
program of the Ideal Clinic Model using the
Operation Phakisa Delivery Model.
o  Adopt the model of Operation Sukuma
Sakhe and the War Room Implementation
Program (WRIP) in all provinces to be the
method of delivery of community programs
and creative use of auxiliary workers, such as
Community Health Workers, Lay Counsellors,
AIDS Councillors, Community Liaison Officers
and Community Development workers.
o  Reactivate programs to ensure that the

 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
District Health System (DHS) is functional in all
provinces, as a practical step of strengthening
Primary Health Care (PHC).
o  Community Health Workers (CHW) must be
absorbed into formal government employ.
■  On HIV and Maternal and Child Health
o  Innovative programs, e.g. bringing mothers
and fathers of board on issues such as
exclusive breastfeeding, must be embarked
upon to keep the momentum of the campaign
against HIV and AIDS.
o  Our communities must work together with
others on campaigns against advertisements
such as those that promote illegal abortions
and other unethical practices that endanger
lives of our people.
n  On Tuberculosis (TB)
o  Having identified Tuberculosis (TB) as a
national priority, the sector will intensify
the fight against TB at Primary Care level,
starting with intensive screening of highrisk communities and correct management
of identified cases. Great focus will be on
150 000 inmates in correctional facilities;
500 000 mineworkers; and the population
of at least six (6) worst affected districts of
intense mining communities. Those include
the West Rand (Carletonville), Lejweleputsoa
(Welkom); Rustenburg (Marikana) plus the
Merafong (Klerksdorp-Potchefstroom area);
plus Waterberg and Tubatse (Burgersfort)
o  Foster greater collaboration with relevant
government departments and research
institutions to pursue programs of research
and development of new drugs against
priority illnesses and diseases.
o  ANC Branches must have health portfolio to
deal with TB and other health issues
n  On Healthy Life Style
o  ANC Branches must have health portfolios to
implement programs that promote at no cost
healthy lifestyle of members, their families
and communities in wards where the ANC
operates.
o  A day, e.g. Wednesday afternoon, be adopted
in communities and schools as a common
day for health promotion, including health
education and healthy lifestyle.
o  There should be strict regulation of the
establishment and operations of alcohol

outlets, bottle stores and shebeens.
o  The health sector must work closely with the
security cluster to deal with the issue of illicit
drug importation and abuse.
o  The NDoH must resolve urgently the
challenge of a dysfunctional National Forensic
Chemistry Laboratory that compromise the
state’s ability to provide the Justice System
with blood alcohol results needed as evidence
of drunken driving.
o  The Subcommittee needs to advice the ANC
about socially-acceptable use of alcohol.
o  The ANC Youth League must play a leadership
role in the fight against drug and alcohol
abuse and gangsterism by organising youth
camps involving affected youth.
n  On improving the Quality of Public Health Care
services
o  There must be consequences if managers are
not doing their work.
o  Improve conditions of work and support staff
and systems.
o  Government departments must do lifestyle
audits of staff in procurement. Staff in
procurement at all levels of government must
be rotated regularly to minimise corruption.
o  Attention must be given to boilers in health
facilities, as the company that delivers services
such as maintenance of boilers is a monopoly.
o  The health sector must design its own
program of “Back-to-Basics”. The ANC must
discuss programs which allow the movement
and government to return to basics of
management and leadership.
n  On the cost of private health care
o  The Subcommittee must further discuss this
matter and submissions made.
o  The Alliance must publicly support the
proposal on the reduction of the cost of the
private health care.
n  Resolve policy and legislative issues and establish
National Pricing Commission.
n  Engage MECs and Premiers to ensure speedy
establishment of Offices of Health Standards
Compliance in each province.
n  Urgently resolve policy and legislative
impediments and fast-track the assumption of
responsibility of overall management by the

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 NGC 2015 DISCUSSION DOCUMENTS
National Department of Health of central hospitals.
n  Actively engage relevant persons and structures to
fast-track legislation so that the sector establishes
the National Health Commission before December
2017.
n  Intensify dialogue with all stakeholders including
the alcohol industry, the entire social sector and
the economic sector in government and fast-track
the passage of legislation aimed at abolishing the
marketing of alcohol products.
n  Deal decisively with the main and important
causes of failure, mainly human resources
planning, development and management; finance,
procurement and infrastructure.
n  Urgently convene a meeting of the Subcommittee
on Education and Health to deal with a number of
issues, especially the NHI and programs to address
challenges facing the health sector.
n  Urgently convene through the Office of the
SG a summit of all role players at the level
of political leadership, especially the ANC
Provincial Chairpersons/Premiers, ANC Provincial
Secretaries, Minister, Deputy Minister, PEC
Chairpersons of Education and Health, MECs of
Health, Chairpersons of the Portfolio and Select
Committees on Health to attend to these issues.
The focus must be mainly on the four issues that
need political intervention identified above.

n  Strengthen partnerships for technology transfer,
product development and research to develop
new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines through
collaboration with the private sector.
n  Finalize and publicize the Human Capital
Development Strategy.
n  Continue to ensure that funding for Science and
Technology reaches 1.5% GDP and at least reaches
the investment equivalent to African Peers. This
must also be linked with the commitment to
improve the funding of Higher Education and
Training.
n  Ensure that, because of because of their cross
cutting nature, strategic goals of Science
Technology and Innovation are incorporated
into the plans and priorities of the Economic
Transformation Committee (ETC) to support efforts
aimed at the diversification and transformation of
the South African economy.
n  Fast-track the finalization of a Research and
Innovation Vote to ensure that Science councils
across government are properly and consistently
funded whilst exploring a coordinated and
harmonized reporting mechanism.
n  Ensure that there is research on education issues
to inform policy.
n  Accelerate the process of evaluating the
remuneration of academics to attract younger
people into academia.

■ Science and Technology
n  Ensure the finalisation of the MeerKat radio
telescope as forerunner to the SKA phase 1.
n  Draw on the work and experiences of the
Departments of Science and Technology and
Basic Education in providing connectivity to
schools across the country and capture lessons
from the Cofimvaba pilot on use of technologies
to improve the quality of learning and teaching in
rural schools, in support of key departments such
as Basic Education, Health, Rural Development and
Higher Education & Training in key technologies
such as ICT, e-Health, sanitation and STEM.
n  Promote and support the realisation of first stages
of an indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturing
capacity.
n  Prioritise Ketlaphela, a project designed to
ensure that South Africa builds capabilities for
manufacturing of essential drugs and vaccines.

118

CONCLUSION
The Subcommittee is satisfied that all sectors have
made good progress in implementing resolutions of
the 53rd ANC National Conference. It has noted the
lag in the start of formal translation of resolutions of
conference into government policy and programs; and
suggests that the ANC Policy Subcommittee should,
after each conference and NEC meeting, consciously
lead the process of integration of resolutions of the
ANC into government policy and programs, without
altering the mandate obtained from the masses in the
preceding national election. The ANC is on track to
achieve most of its goals of implementing its plans by
December 2017.