Cape town: The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) has been allocated a budget of R509 million for the 2025/26 financial year, which will support efforts to strengthen government capacity and deliver on South Africa’s key development priorities. Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, supported by Deputy Minister Seiso Mohai, presented the 2025 Budget Vote of the department in Parliament on Tuesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Ramokgopa highlighted the DPME’s key mandate to coordinate and integrate government planning, monitor implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 and the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, and evaluate government programmes to improve performance and accountability across the state. The Minister elaborated on efforts to strengthen the DPME’s mandate through the Planning Bill and the consideration of a White Paper process to address questions raised by various stakeholders.
The Minister reported significant progress, including Cabinet approval of the MTDP 2024-2029 in February 2025, with implementation already underway. The MTDP’s strategic priorities include driving inclusive economic growth and job creation, reducing poverty and addressing the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. Ramokgopa emphasized the necessity of achieving the MTDP’s targets and improving citizens’ living conditions, stressing accountability for the results.
Efforts are underway to align national, provincial, and local government planning processes, with a focus on integrating the MTDP with Provincial Growth and Development Strategies, starting with the Northern Cape. The Minister also emphasized the department’s role in reforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) through the National State Enterprises Bill (B1-2024), which proposes a centralised shareholder model to enhance SOE governance, performance, and economic impact.
Furthermore, the DPME is spearheading the implementation of an Evidence Plan to enhance research, evaluation, and data systems, thereby facilitating evidence-based decision-making and improving transparency and accountability. The Minister highlighted the importance of credible evidence leading to measurable impact and reiterated the commitment to building a responsive and effective state.
The Minister also noted the importance of strengthening collaboration with Parliament, oversight institutions, and other stakeholders, citing recent capacity-building workshops and ongoing bilateral engagements as pivotal to achieving the department’s objectives.