/ 13 January 2012

Cabinet’s planning lekgotla to start next week

Cabinet's Planning Lekgotla To Start Next Week

Cabinet will set the national agenda at its annual January lekgotla — the most important strategic planning session of the national executive — at Bela Bela in Limpopo from Tuesday January 17 to Friday January 20 2012, government communications said on Friday.

The meeting, which would provide the basis for President Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address on February 9, would give direction to government’s programme for 2012, government said in a statement.

“Cabinet is expected to do a mid-term assessment of government’s performance on the five national priorities — job creation, health, education, crime eradication, rural development and land reform — with a view to enhancing performance in 2012.

“It will also review progress made since the decision to establish the infrastructure coordination commission chaired by the president and the short term job creation commission chaired by the deputy president, at the July 2011 lekgotla,” the statement added.

The lekgotla was also expected to assess the global and domestic economic outlook with a view of identifying new opportunities and risks for South Africa and the continent as a whole.

Government said the global security context and an international relations programme for South Africa would also form part of Cabinet’s agenda.

“The lekgotla will entail deliberations among ministers and deputy ministers on the first three days of the meeting and on the last day, premiers and representatives of the South African Local Government Association will participate, with directors general joining as observers.”

President Zuma was expected to officially close the event on Friday January 20 2012. — I-Net Bridge

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