The South African SDG Hub, hosted by the Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership (ALCRL) at the University of Pretoria (UP), recently launched an SDG publication, aimed at strengthening partnerships between state and non-state actors that are interested in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

It is believed that this publication, which is the first of its kind in the country, will stimulate national dialogue on the topic. In 2015, South Africa adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. The realisation of the ambitious goals is seen as key to ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth. Based on current country reports, building partnerships between state and non-state actors is viewed as an important requirement for the realisation of the SDGs.

According to Prof Willem Fourie, founding co-ordinator of the South African SDG Hub, the publication is conceptualised as a “conversation starter”. Titled, Implementing the SDGs in South Africa: Challenges and opportunities, it brings together contributions from the Department of Science and Technology; the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; the European Union; the United Nations and academia. Contributors were encouraged to use the shared “vocabulary” of the SDGs to voice their particular views on challenges and opportunities related to the implementation of the SDGs in South Africa.

The book launch brought together partners from government, the private sector, civil society and multilateral organisations to participate in panel discussions.

It included an expert panel discussion on Implementing the SDGs in South Africa, made up of panellists, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Chief Director, Department of Science and Technology;  Percy Moleke, Deputy Director-General, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; Dr Chris Nshimbi, Director, Centre for Governance Innovation, UP; and Joanne Yawitch, CEO, National Business Initiative. The panel was chaired by Prof  Fourie.

Director of the ALCRL, Prof Derick de Jongh, said that the  launch of the SDG publication was a proud moment, bringing together stakeholders from business, government, civil society and academia. He explained that their attendance was “proof of significant support for the work the South African SGD Hub does and that… that this was indicative of the good work that UP was doing in bringing together key SDG role-players”.

“The publication is making an important contribution towards articulating not only research agendas but also emphasising the value of partnerships and coordination in achieving the goals. The publication also provides a solid foundation for starting a much-needed conversation around leadership and development –  something the ALCRL places a high premium on,” said Prof de Jongh.

It is available online at http://sasdghub.org/new-publication-implementing-the-sdgs-in-south-africa/

Panel discussion at the book launch.