Adoption of analogous key roles for stakeholders to improve South Africa’s progress towards the implementation of the sustainable development goals

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.