National Planning Commission selects UFH to host prestigious 10-year anniversary lecture

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The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has been selected by the National Planning Commission (NPC) to host an upcoming lecture marking the 10-year anniversary of the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), which was adopted in 2012.

The NPC undertakes various public engagements aimed at convening stakeholders, creating dialogue and fostering active citizenry and strong leadership around South Africa focused on the National Development Plan.

Key amongst these planned engagements is the forthcoming NDP lecture that will take place at the University of Fort Hare Alice campus on 23 September 2022.

The University will be required to nominate a speaker to engage attendees on the theme: “10 years of the NDP - How do we invoke and implement the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 to ensure a new socio-economic heritage for South Africa?”

The aim of the lecture will be to report on progress made, reflect on challenges related to implementation and chart the way forward through sub-themes including social compacting, action-oriented governance, persistent inequality, climate change, gender inequality, youth and disability matters.

“The University is honoured to be selected as the host university for the 10-year anniversary event following the adoption of the NDP,” said Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, Vice-Chancellor of UFH.  

“The University continues to play an important and meaningful role in contributing to the goals of the NDP through our institutional strategic plan and renewal programme. We want to ensure that our academic project and research contribute to empowering role-players to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality, to harness the energies and potential of people, and to unlock capabilities and capacities. In our local context, we hope to contribute to laying the foundation for catalytic new industries in the Eastern Cape built around the oceans economy, 4IR and agriculture,” he said.

“As the NPC, we look forward to working with the University of Fort Hare to make this lecture a resounding success,” said Mr Mondli Gungubele, Minister in the Presidency, in correspondence to UFH’s Vice-Chancellor.

 The National Planning Commission was established in May 2010 to develo​p a long term vision and strategic plan for South Africa.

 The main objective of the Commission is to rally the nation around a common set of objectives and priorities to drive development over the longer term. The Commission advises government on cross-cutting issues that influence the long-term development of South Africa.​

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