Nominations/Applications: Fourth National Planning Commission (NPC)

South Africa has a body called the National Planning Commission (NPC), which was set up to give the President independent, long-term strategic advice on how the country should develop. The NPC is not a government department — it is an advisory body made up of appointed experts from different walks of life, including academia, business, labour, and civil society.

The NPC's biggest achievement so far has been developing the National Development Plan (NDP): Vision 2030, which is South Africa's main long-term blueprint for reducing poverty, inequality, and unemployment. That plan has guided government policy for years. However, as the country gets closer to 2030, that plan will soon reach its end date, and a new long-term vision will be needed to carry the country forward. The Fourth NPC will be the commission responsible for leading that next chapter.

This call for nominations affects anyone in South Africa who has the expertise, experience, and commitment to contribute to long-term national planning. The government is specifically looking for people from academia, business, labour unions, civil society organisations, and government — so a wide range of sectors is being invited to put forward suitable candidates.

Ordinary citizens are also affected in a broader sense, because the work the new Commission does will shape the national development plan that guides government priorities and spending for years to come. Communities, workers, entrepreneurs, students, and families across the country will all be touched by the policies and plans that the Fourth NPC helps to develop.

Organisations and institutions that want their sector's voice heard in the country's long-term planning process have a direct stake in putting forward strong nominees. The call emphasises that the Commission should reflect the diversity of South African society, so previously marginalised groups, women, youth, and people from different regions and backgrounds are implicitly encouraged to be considered.

The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) is calling on members of the public, organisations, and institutions to nominate suitable individuals to serve on the Fourth National Planning Commission. This new Commission will serve a five-year term running from 2027 to 2032, and its members will be formally appointed by the President of South Africa.

The Commission's main tasks during this term will be two-fold. First, it will lead a broad national conversation about what South Africa's future should look like beyond 2030, and it will draft a brand new long-term national development plan to replace the current NDP: Vision 2030. This process will involve extensive consultation with citizens and stakeholders, careful analysis of trends and challenges both locally and globally, and the development of a shared national vision. Second, the Commission will continue to provide ongoing strategic advice to the President and government on development priorities, obstacles to implementation, and new opportunities — taking into account changes happening in South Africa, the African continent, and the wider world.

The government is looking for commissioners who bring demonstrated leadership, expertise, integrity, and a genuine commitment to South Africa's development. Nominees should be people who can contribute to serious analysis, forward-thinking policy ideas, and constructive national dialogue. The composition of the Commission must reflect the diversity of South African society in terms of background, sector, and expertise.

Anyone wishing to nominate a candidate must submit their nomination using the official NPC nomination form before the deadline of Thursday, 26 November 2026. Nominations can be emailed to NPCNominations@dpme.gov.za. People with questions can contact Dr Nontuthuzelo Mokhele, Dr Lusanda Batala, or Dr Sandisiwe Mapine at the contact details provided.

The work of the National Planning Commission directly shapes the long-term direction of South Africa as a country. The current National Development Plan: Vision 2030 has been the foundation for major government decisions on education, health, infrastructure, jobs, and the economy for years. When that plan runs out, the country will need a new one — and the Fourth NPC is the body that will write it. Getting the right people onto this Commission is therefore critically important for every South African.

If strong, credible, and diverse commissioners are appointed, the new long-term plan is more likely to reflect the real needs of ordinary South Africans — including those in rural areas, townships, and informal settlements — and to be grounded in evidence rather than politics. If the Commission is not representative or lacks the right expertise, the plan that guides the country for the next decade or more could miss the mark.

This is also one of the rare moments when ordinary people and organisations have a direct say in who gets to sit at the table of national planning. By submitting a nomination, any South African can influence who shapes the country's future. Missing this window means missing the chance to ensure that your community, sector, or perspective is represented in the highest levels of long-term national thinking.

The deadline is firm — 26 November 2026 — so anyone who wants to participate needs to act quickly.