Govt must be challenged - Zuma

2010-05-11 10:44

Pretoria - The National Planning Commission should not pander to government or be afraid to challenge it, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

"At times you may want to face Cabinet and tell them off," Zuma said during the official appointment of the 26 commissioners at the Union Buildings.

"You must not love government."

He said the objective of the commission, drawn from a wide diversity of expertise, was expected to put forward solid research, sound evidence and clear recommendations.

"When we came to office last year we stated that this is a government that would do things differently.

"The establishment of the NPC is our promise to the people of South Africa that we are building a state that will grow the economy, reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of our system," said Zuma.

Among the commissioners appointed are ANC stalwart and business tycoon Cyril Ramaphosa, former Eskom chairperson Bobby Godsell and Minister in the Presidency and president of the commission, Trevor Manuel.

- SAPA