By National Development Agency
“The NDA has my full support and backing, however, it is conditional support that the goals we have set are met, I cannot advocate for an entity that does not meet the expectations and doesn’t not respond to the needs of the poor.” - Minister Tolashe, Department of Social Development.
Minister of Social Development, Sisi Tolashe, convened a Special Meeting with the National Development Agency (NDA) Board, Executive and staff at the entity’s national office in Parktown.
This marks the Minister’s maiden visit, following an undertaking made to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Social Development in October 2024 to forge relations and address immediate issues outlined by the Board Chairperson, Ms Nozabelo Ruth Bhengu, including that the NDA has been operating without a permanent Chief Executive Officer since 2021, which has led to poor performance and accountability.
In response to this leadership gap, Minister Tolashe has since appointed Mr Thabani Buthelezi, seconded from the Department of Social Development’s national office, to act in the position of Chief Executive Officer. This follows the retirement of Mr Bongani Magongo who also acted in the position over a year.
The NDA Board Chairperson lauded the move to say, “We appreciate that the Minister responded swiftly to our plea to assist in the stabilisation of the NDA, the appointment of Mr Buthelezi has yielded significant strides to the advancement of our turnaround strategy, including the process underway to review the Amendment of the NDA Act, as well as further closing the leadership gap culture that exists within the NDA.”
She clearly has availed her office for ongoing support towards the entity, and further articulated specific outcomes that are expected from the NDA leadership and the entity.
This follows her strategic inputs to the entity’s performance plans, in particular the approved turnaround strategy that seeks to elevate the entity to a premium poverty eradication and development instrument to address unemployment and promote skills development through resource mobilisation and implementation of development programmes throughout the country.
“The NDA must reposition and reshape its value proposition. Poverty is growing, the voices of voters are clear to say government is not responding to their needs. The issues of poverty, gender-based violence and child malnutrition are issues that must be addressed within the body of Social Development and its entities. "
"For NDA in particular, I expect that they raise their profile in poor communities, raise the funds through partnerships needed to respond and begin to demonstrate the impact of the development programmes within the youth and other vulnerable groups in communities, including grant recipients. The NDA has my full support and backing, however it is conditional that the goals we have set are met, I cannot advocate for an entity that does not meet the expectation and responds to the needs of the poor.”
Minister Tolashe acknowledged the service of Mr Magongo, “You have served your government, the NDA and people of South Africa with determination and vigour. I look forward to finding more people of your calibre in future. I wish you well in your retirement.” Minister has committed to strengthening the relations between the Department and its
entities.
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