The National Strategic Hub aims to harness data as a crucial infrastructure and strategic asset to enhance governance, operational efficiency, and service delivery in local government.
Our Mission
Empowering decision-makers with unparalleled insights by transforming data into a national asset. We are committed to fostering a culture of informed, evidence-based governance, where every decision enhances operational excellence and service delivery for a better tomorrow.
Our Mandate
Building a "single source of truth.”
Integrating and analyzing country-level data creates a "single source of truth" to provide evidence-based insights for informed decision-making in planning and resource management.
Comprehensive 360-Degree Data Insights for District Spaces
Delivering a dynamic, data-driven 360-degree view of all district spaces.
Enhancing Municipal Efficiency
Empowering municipalities with data-driven decision support tools for efficient planning and resource allocation.
Cultivating Collaboration
Building a robust public value data ecosystem that drives collaboration.
Creating Adaptive, Data-Informed Plans for Responsive Local Governance
Developing data-informed, living plans for responsive local governance.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency for CoGTA Through Strategic Support
Supporting the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in improving internal operational efficiency.
Breaking Silos: Promoting Collective Progress through Data-Driven Collaboration
Fostering collaboration across government, private sector, and communities using data and insights to break down silos and promote collective progress in line with the DDM objectives.
Adopting a Data-Driven Lifecycle Planning Model for Anticipatory Governance
Implementing a data-driven lifecycle planning approach that utilizes a cradle-to-grave to planning model that enables government to shift from reactive to anticipatory governance.
Data: The Backbone of Better Governance
Our Timeline
01.
July, 2023
The journey of the National Strategic Hub began at the BRICS Urbanisation Forum on 27 July 2023, hosted in Durban ICC.
02.
July, 2023
Former Minister Thembi Nkadimeng, Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs invited Dr. Sandile Mbatha to present eThekwini’s Strategic Hub.
03.
July, 2023
Following this, the Minister requested Dr. Mbatha and his team to develop a proof of concept (POC) for a National Strategic Hub to aid the implementation of the DDM.
04.
July, 2023
1st Iteration This initiated a process of requesting data from various national departments, supported by the Director-General of DCOG Mr. Tshangana and SALGA CEO Mr. Sithole Mbanga. It took the team three months to develop the first iteration of the National Strat Hub POC.
05.
September, 2023
National Level Buy-in From then on Minister Nkadimeng provided political championship and support to ensure that the POC was presented at various platforms for national level buy-in. These platforms included the President’s Coordinating Committee (PCC) (1st September 2023); Forum of South African DGs (FOSAD)(2nd October 2023); Cabinet Committees.
06.
September, 2023
Feedback & Refining The POC received overwhelming support from all stakeholders and suggestions for improvements were made.
07.
October, 2023
Approved by Cabinet The POC was finally presented at the Cabinet sitting on 23 October 2023. A decision was taken for this initiative to be implemented as programme of government.
08.
October, 2023
During the Cabinet presentation, President Ramaphosa described the initiative as “a new powerstation that lights up the whole country”.
The president insisted that this initiative be developed within government and not through consultants as the latter would expose the country to national security risks.
09.
October, 2023
Project Mandate Dr. Mbatha accepted the mandate to build the National Strategic Hub, which would serve as the country’s “single source of truth”.
Vision Position data as critical infrastructure and an asset for improved governance, operational efficiences and service delivery.
10.
October, 2023
National Strategic Hub is institutionalised The National Strategic Hub was institutionalised under the Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs with a mandate to utilize data to support the implementation of the District Development Model.
11.
October, 2023
Redefining the DDM The first task was to redefine the DDM and develop digital tools to aid the implementation strategy.
12.
January, 2024
Upstaffing & Grafting Recruiting human capital for the National Strategic Hub began. The first intake was appointed in January 2024. And so the work began.
13.
April, 2024
Accountability & Progress A progress report was presented to the Executive Management Committee (EXCO) on 22 April 2024, it was very well received.
14.
September, 2024
Endorsement The National Strategic Hub was presented to Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs for endorsement on 29 July 2024.
15.
September, 2024
Public Value Data Ecosystem The Public Value Data Ecosystem is formally established
16.
October, 2024
Lift Off The National Strategic Hub was officially launched on 22 October 2024.
