Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to analyse South Africa’s progress on the 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since the adoption of the goals in
2015 and to propose a way forward. The article is based on a desktop study of
authoritative sources to conceptualise and contextualise the progress towards
the implementation of the SDGs. Unobtrusive research techniques are applied
in terms of a documentary and conceptual analysis. The findings suggest that
concerning progress of SDGs, South Africa is largely off track on almost all of
the 17 SGDs. Out of the 17 SDGs, based on the goal trends, only two SDGs
are on track or maintaining SDG achievement, six are stagnating, seven are
moderately improving and two have trend information missing. Moreover, of
the 17 goals, six are still experiencing major challenges, eight have encountered
significant challenges and there are two where challenges remain. The
country has made progress through its commitment to realising the goals
by implementing various policies, financing the goals, aligning the National
Development Plan (NDP) to the SDGs and involving multiple stakeholders.
