DA's Plan for Growth and Jobs - Democratic Alliance

READING THE REMAINDER OF THE DOCUMENTScope and scaleThe two unifying objectives of this policy document are to break down the barriers thatexclude people from the economy, and lay the foundations for a dynamic, integrated andforward-looking society by putting South Africa on a high-growth path. It does not set out toaddress all areas of policy.The core focus is the economy, and consequently, the proposals seek to make bold reformsin areas such as the labour market, the tax code, competition policy, fiscal policy andinternational trade. Social policies like education and social security are addressed wherethey have a substantial impact on economic growth and poverty reduction.Many of the policy proposals outlined here are designed to be implemented where the DAgoverns, while others are intended to provide the basis for the party’s promise to voters at anational level. Those that fall within a provincial or local government competency cantherefore begin to be implemented where the DA governs in the Western Cape, the City ofCape Town, Midvaal and other local governments around the country.These places provide beachheads where the DA will champion the high-growth,stakeholder-led model of economic development, thereby providing an example of what canbe achieved at a national level.Policy processThis is the second of two documents. The first was a diagnostic assessment that analysedthe fundamental challenges facing our economy today.The assessment process revealed a national economy that is stagnating under thecombined weight of policy indecision by the current national administration, an overbearingand increasingly exploitative state machine that quashes entrepreneurship and innovation,and high barriers that exclude millions of South Africans, particularly the young, the poor andlow-skilled, from becoming active participants in the mainstream economy.This document sets out to address the problems identified in the assessment.The policy development process has put a premium on research excellence and stakeholderconsultation and participation. A core policy group of DA public representatives, includingprovincial Cabinet Ministers, national MPs as well as Mayors, who all work on the economy,and who represent the party in all three spheres of government: national, provincial andlocal.This group has played an important role in discussing and revising these proposals followinga comprehensive consultation process involving party structures across the country.Evidence-based policy makingPolicy development is about taking our vision of breaking down barriers and building a highgrowth,stakeholder-led economy, and translating it into practical ideas that can beimplemented by the government and its partners.It is not a simple process. Each proposal has to fit within a legislative framework, budgetshave to be revised, and research conducted to ascertain whether the proposed policy will32 | P a g e