– The Presidency and National Treasury, in partnership with the Southern Africa Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) programme, hosted a significant two-day conference on June 26 and June 27, 2024 that focused on Operation Vulindlela (OV). This initiative established in 2020, aims to accelerate economic reforms for South Africa’s growth.
The conference themed “Building Momentum of Reform: Towards the Next Phase of Operation Vulindlela” brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, academics, and civil society representatives. The goal was to review the progress made in implementing structural reforms over recent years and outline strategies for the next five years.
Operation Vulindlela has achieved noticeable milestones since its establishment. These include key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and water management. Rudi Dicks from the Presidency Project Management Office highlighted “President Ramaphosa played an active and interventionist role. He has been at the forefront of supporting the reforms.” He emphasized the importance of staying focused on structural reforms to boost the economy during the 7th administration.
At the conference, case studies highlighted successful reforms and ongoing challenges, particularly in sectors like energy, telecommunications, and water management. Participants also discussed the importance of policy consistency in reassuring investors and rating agencies, stressing that clear communication is essential for economic stability.
National Treasury acting Director-General, Mmakgoshi Lekhethe, stated the need for OV to prioritize key focus areas for its next phase. She emphasized that clear prioritization would enhance the likelihood of achieving successful outcomes in critical sectors.
Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr. Sean Phillips, cautioned against spreading OV’s focus too thinly across multiple areas “The more issues you focus on, the less likely you are to achieve success in any of them. The key challenge for OV for Phase II is to prioritise and identify a key set of areas to address.”
The OV conference concluded with a unified vision for sustained economic growth through focused structural reforms, signalling a determined effort to overcome challenges and achieve long-term success for all South Africans.
