COVID-19 and the Implementation of South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030: Insights from Vhembe District Municipality

Abstract

This paper sought to evaluate the impact of Corona virus (COVID-19) on the implementation of the National Development Plan 2030 in the Vhembe District Municipality. The National Development Plan (NDP) is a plan for South Africa to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030 through uniting South Africans, unleashing the energies of its citizens, growing an inclusive economy, building capabilities, enhancing the capability of the state and leaders working together to solve complex problems. The approach of the Plan revolves around citizens being active in development, a capable and developmental state able to intervene to correct the historical inequalities, and strong leadership throughout society by working together to solve the problems. The Plan addresses the need to enhance the capabilities of the people so that they can live the lives that they desire; and to develop the capabilities of the state so that it can grow faster, draw more people into work and raise living standards for all, particularly the poor. This paper investigates whether COVID-19 pandemic has done significant harm to an already bruised economy, or if it has enhanced the implementation of the Plan. The paper used a mixed research methodology in which both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. To achieve the objective of the study, non-probability sampling and its subtype, purposive sampling method, were used to get an appropriate sample.