Minister Nkoana-Mashabane was briefing media following the Special Joint Sitting of Parliament debating Agenda 2063 in Cape Town on Friday.

She said Agenda 2063 is a shared strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development for Africa’s transformation.

National Development Plan

She said the National Development Plan (NDP) already includes the key proposals in Agenda 2063, including a strengthened focus on regional cooperation and integration.

The realisation of Agenda 2063 will be influenced by where the world will be in 30 to 50 years.

“A transformed international order is what we want as Africa. Indeed, one of the seven aspirations of Agenda 2063 is about ‘Africa as a strong and influential global player and partner.

“Africa will prosper better in a transformed world that is governed democratically.  A better world will enable Africa to leverage its demographic dividend to claim its place in the 21st century. The Africa we see rising today must be in full flight in 2063,” the Minister said.

She said Agenda 2063 is not a wish-list but a carefully thought plan with identified drivers and an implementation strategy.

“Agenda 2063 is about the Africa we want to build in the future. It connects the Africa of yesterday to the Africa of today and the Africa of tomorrow,” the Minister said.

Consultation with stakeholders

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has convened consultations with government departments as well as representatives of the youth, academics and think-tanks, women, civil society, and the business sector consultation process continues.

“In the consultations convened by DIRCO, the stakeholders welcomed the African Union’s decision to develop Agenda 2063. The consultations confirmed the urgency with which the stakeholders want the African Union and its Member States to strengthen the implementation of policies aimed at bettering the lives of ordinary Africans,” she said.

The Minister said AU Member States and the Regional Economic Communities will be required to include the elements of Agenda 2063 Plan in their national and regional programmes, respectively. 

The South African Parliament will be expected to be an active part of the implementation of this plan through its oversight role.

The seven aspirational pillars of Agenda 2063 are:

·        A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development;

·        An Integrated Continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism;

·        An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law;

·        A peaceful and secure Africa;

·        An Africa with strong cultural values and ethics;

·        An Africa where development is people-driven, relying particularly on the potential of women and youth; and

·        Africa as a strong and influential global player and partner.