Operation Vulindlela conference: charting the next phase of structural reforms

The Presidency and National Treasury, in partnership with the Southern Africa Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) programme, recently hosted a two-day Operation Vulindlela (OV) Conference from 25 to 26 June 2024. The event, 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 to assess progress in structural reforms and outline priorities for the next five years.

Assessing progress in key sectors

Since its establishment in 2020, OV has played an important role in accelerating structural reforms aimed at driving economic growth. The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the initiative’s achievements, including energy sector reforms that opened the industry to private investment and restructured Eskom, telecommunications expansion through spectrum auctions to lower data costs, and visa regime improvements to make it easier for skilled workers and tourists to enter South Africa. Delegates also discussed progress in streamlining water use licensing, which has seen approval timelines reduced from 300 days to 90 days, and opening the logistics sector to more participants.Speakers from across industries commended the initiative’s work, with Presidency Project Management Office Head, Rudi Dicks, emphasizing the importance of political leadership. “President Ramaphosa has played an active role in supporting the reforms,” he noted.

Looking ahead: prioritization and policy consistency

As OV moves into its next phase, National Treasury Acting Director-General, Mmakgoshi Lekhethe, highlighted the need for policy consistency to reassure investors and international stakeholders. “Investors vote with their money, so policy consistency must be ensured,” she stated. Water and Sanitation Director-General, Dr. Sean Phillips, echoed this sentiment, cautioning that “the more issues you focus on, the less likely you are to achieve success in any of them.” He stressed that OV’s success in its second phase will depend on identifying a focused set of priorities.The conference concluded with a shared commitment to deepening reforms that create jobs and drive inclusive economic growth, aligning with the goals of South Africa’s 2030 National Development Plan. As OV enters its next phase, collaboration between government, industry, and civil society remains essential in ensuring the continued success of South Africa’s reform agenda.

Watch the video below to see SA-TIED’s contributions to Operation Vulindlela.