Reconstruction and Development Programme

Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is a South African socio-economic policy framework implemented by the African National Congress (ANC) government of Nelson Mandela in 1994 after months of discussions, consultations and negotiations between the ANC, its Alliance partners the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party, and "mass organisations in the wider civil society".

The ANC's chief aim in developing and implementing the RDP was to address the immense socioeconomic problems brought about by its predecessors under the Apartheid regime. Specifically, it set its sights on alleviating poverty and addressing the massive shortfalls in social services across the country -- something that the document acknowledged would rely upon a stronger macroeconomic environment. Achieving poverty alleviation and a stronger economy were thus seen as deeply interrelated and mutually supporting objectives -- development without growth would be financially unsustainable, while growth without development would fail to bring about the necessary structural transformation within South Africa's deeply inequitable and largely impovrished population.

Background

By the end of Apartheid, South Africa's economy was facing a variety of serious structural problems. The final two decades of the National Party's regime had been particuarly damaging to the economic climate, with stagnant economic growth (the average over the entire period was just 1.7 percent), declining per capita income (averging -0.7 percent annually), increasing unemployment (using the broad definition, up from around 20 percent at the start of the 1970's to around 30 percent by 1994) and a spiraling debt problem (under the De Klerk government (1989-1994) alone, debt had increased from less than 3 percent of GDP to more than 9 percent, and total government debt almost trebled).

Facing "deep-seated structural crisis",". South Africa's economy fundamental reconstruction

The RDP makes note of South Africa's bitter past, racially distorted income, gross inequalities and

"Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government." A programme is required that is achievable, sustainable, and meets the objectives of freedom and an improved standard of living and quality of life for all South Africans within a peaceful and stable society.

As ANC about to enter government needed to draw up a real policy framework from which

"The RDP was not drawn up by experts - although many, many experts have participated in that process - but by the very people that will be part of its implementation. It is a product of consultation, debate and reflection on what we need and what is possible"

Six drafts

Wide consultation -- in the tradition of the Freedom Charter (Preface)