The NDA’s presentation forms part of the broader resubmission of strategic plans and budgets by the Department of Social Development (DSD) and its entities, following the re-tabling of the national budget by the Minister of Finance and its subsequent approval by Parliament.

In her opening remarks, the Honourable Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, reaffirmed government’s commitment to the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) and its three strategic priorities: 

(1) Driving inclusive growth and job creation, 

(2) Reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and 

(3) Building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

 The Minister emphasized that Strategic Priority 2 – reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living – remains central to the DSD portfolio.

The NDA, led by Acting CEO Mr Thabani Buthelezi, outlined its strategic priorities aligned with the MTDP and National Development Plan Vision 2030. Key commitments of the NDA over the next five years include:

- Strengthening governance and achieving clean audit status

- Improving the NDA brand and stakeholder engagement

- Mobilising R900 million in financial and non-financial resources for civil society organisations (CSOs) funding

- Creating 5,000 work opportunities through community-owned enterprises

- Increasing the use of research and monitoring & evaluation insights in shaping development policy and programming.

The NDA reaffirmed its role in tackling poverty through community-centred approaches, strategic partnerships, and improved organisational capacity. Despite ongoing fiscal constraints, the NDA is committed to delivering on its mandate by optimising internal systems and mobilising additional resources.

During the session, the Portfolio Committee raised critical inputs, particularly around the NDA’s funding model and its potential to play a catalytic role in augmenting public funding through acting as a conduit locally for foreign funding directed to the civil society sector. Members emphasised the importance of the NDA leveraging its turnaround strategy to gain a stronger institutional position. This, they suggested, should be achieved through fostering strategic partnerships with other government departments and agencies – notably the Department of Small Business Development and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA).

The Portfolio Committee acknowledged the NDAââ�