Strategic Plan 2020-2025 ACCOUNTING AUTHORITY STATEMENT The National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI) NRWDI has embarked on bold effective mitigation is an independent entity established by the National measures which have resulted in delivery within the Radioactive Waste Disposal Act (Act 53 of 2008) and expected timeframes. Some of these measures included is listed as a Schedule 3A national public entity. It has collaborating closely with stakeholders, filling critical continued to play a pivotal role as the entity is responsible positions and ICT enablement. NRWDI continues to re- for the long-term management and disposal of radioactive invigorate their approach to their mandate delivery by waste on a national basis. This strategic plan 2020-2025 is leveraging on the benefits of state-of-the-art technologies. a bold plan which is closely aligned to address the nation’s critical needs as identified and articulated in the National The actual extent and complexity of the core tasks and the Development Plan’s Vision 2030. challenges that lie ahead for NRWDI and the country will gradually unfold as it dedicatedly works its way forward. Whilst NRWDI has been established for only a few years, It is important to visualize and understand the depth it is being challenged to consolidate gains made thus and complexity of the tasks in the context of what has far and to plan diligently in order to actively address been experienced and achieved by the world’s advanced the challenges that lie ahead. With South Africa opting nations such as France, Finland, Sweden, and others in for the expansion of its Nuclear Power Programme in an radioactive waste research, management and disposal attempt to diversify the energy mix in the country and to over a prolonged period of time. South Africa must now achieve security of supply, the emphasis on an entity like commence its journey towards the prudent management NRWDI to manage South Africa’s radioactive waste on a and disposal of all its radioactive wastes, including national basis cannot be underestimated. This entity has Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) and High-Level Waste the potential of being on the cutting edge of radioactive (HLW), while continuing its operations with Low Level waste disposal technologies. This means that NRWDI has Waste (LLW) at the Vaalputs site in the Northern Cape. to engage in international benchmarking and pivotal research and development in order to be well positioned A key priority in operationalising NRWDI is the Vaalputs to confront the challenges. functional shift which entails the transfer of staff and assets of the Vaalputs Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility from The long-term sustainability of NRWDI, however, remains Necsa to NRWDI in terms of section 30 of the NRWDI Act. a risk for NRWDI. With the competing priorities faced by It is envisaged that the functional shift will be completed NRWDI as well as the need for delivery of their mandate, in late 2020. the funding over the MTEF cycle is inadequate to cover both the operational and project related costs. Under NRWDI, although cognizant of the complex challenges the circumstances, a large portion of the allocation will as outlined above, is however confident that it is ready to be devoted to operational costs until the situation is begin the journey to lay a solid foundation for the delivery normalised. A draft Bill to establish the Radioactive Waste of suitable strategies and solutions for the management Management Fund (RWMF) for the collection of levies and and disposal of all of our radioactive waste in a manner that imposition of penalties on waste generators is currently will continue to ensure the protection of the public and being drafted. Once the Bill has passed the approval the environment, thus making its contribution towards the process, NRWDI will be able to source funds from the safe utilization of nuclear energy in our country. RWMF, thus providing long term sustainability for NRWDI. With the aim of continuous improvement and aligned The legislation will further provide a platform for a better with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and structured NRWDI, which would continue to respond to Evaluation’s Revised Framework for Strategic Plans and radioactive waste disposal in a credible and expeditious Annual Performance Plans as well as the Guidelines for the manner. Implementation of the Revised Framework for Strategic NRWDI will establish various disposal and related storage and Annual Performance Plans, this strategic plan serves facilities for all classes of radioactive waste that currently as a blueprint for achieving the NRWDI vision and mission. have no such facilities. This will encourage NRWDI to It further focuses on the impact statement, outcomes review its work processes and interrogate its efficiencies in and the indicators which are all necessary to direct the order to continue to deliver within the planned timeframes achievement of the mandate of NRWDI. in line with their mandate. National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute | Strategic Plan for 2020 to 2025 1 opportunity for change management should be Performance Plans, this Annual Performance Plan embraced as it will provide NRWDI the prospect serves as a blueprint for achieving the NRWDI to save costs, increase efficiency and enhance vision and mission.As the Accounting It further Authority for focuses the NRWDI, onI take thepleasure impact employee morale. statement, outcomes,in presenting this highoutputs level plan forand the nextthe 5 yearsindicators to the people of South Africa detailing the outcomes and the which are alloutputs necessary as well as toproviding direct the necessarythe achievement assurance of of The 2020/21 financial year will also see the RWMF the mandateour of commitment NRWDI. to these deliverables. Bill making its way through the legislative processes. This will assist in contributing to the sustainability of the NRWDI, thereby making a positive contribution to the successful delivery of its legislative and Signature: ___________________________ functional mandate, thus reinforcing the fact that Mr Tshepo Mofokeng Accounting Authority of NRWDI financial sustainability is critical for the survival of Mr Tshepo Mofokeng any organisation Accounting Authority of NRWDI The nuclear environment is a highly regulated environment which the public is aware of. In the new financial year, I envisage that there would be greater interaction with one of the main stakeholders which is the public to ensure that their perceptions, concerns and expectations are adequately addressed and that there is constant flow of information to the public using digital media. Public education, participation and education will play a significant role in dispelling myths associated with radioactive waste management and disposal. In the new year, I see more relationships being forged on a formal level with tertiary institutions as means to enhance research and development in the country regarding disposal technologies and to build new capacity with regards to the skills that are required for disposal purposes. NRWDI, although cognizant of the complex challenges as outlined above, is however confident that it is ready to begin the journey to lay a solid foundation for the delivery of suitable strategies and solutions for the management and disposal of 2 National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute | Strategic Plan for 2020 to 2025 all South Africa’s radioactive waste in a manner that will continue to ensure the protection of the public and the environment, thus making its contribution towards the safe utilization of nuclear energy in our country. With the aim of continuous improvement and aligned with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation’s Revised Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans as well as the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Revised Framework for Strategic and Annual 2020/21 3 Annual Performance Plan ACCOUNTING OFFICER STATEMENT It gives me immense pleasure to present the Strategic • The provision of information on all aspects of Plan for the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute radioactive waste management to the public living (NRWDI) for the period 2020 - 2025. This Strategic Plan is around the disposal facilities and the public at large is aligned with the Department of Mineral Resources and a responsibility of NRWDI that cannot be underrated. Energy (DMRE) strategic outcomes and it contributes Over the previous cycle, NRWDI was able to have towards the delivery of the objectives of the National public safety information forums with the Vaalputs Development Plan (NDP) as well as the Medium-Term Community on a quarterly basis. Strategic Framework. It establishes the key areas of focus The long-term nature of our business means that our that will enable the NRWDI to deliver on its legislative and excellent performance during the previous cycle is a policy mandate. stepping stone for successful future years. NRWDI remains Since its inception, NRWDI has steadily developed into a totally committed to fulfilling the vast expectations hub of organisational excellence. It has strengthened its of South Africans that radioactive waste can be safely core competencies of management of radioactive waste managed in a manner that meets or exceeds all applicable disposal to deliver exceptionally well on its mandate. regulatory standards and requirements for protecting the health, safety and security of our people and the Key highlights for the previous reporting cycle included environment, both now and in the future. the following: The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan is an ambitious programme of • NRWDI have obtained for two consecutive years a work for NRWDI. The commitments made are cognisant of clean audit which will bear testimony to the fact the challenging times we face and borne out of a collective that an institutionalised culture of accountability, understanding of the responsibilities and obligations trust, honesty and responsibility prevails in NRWDI, placed on all of us in public service by the Constitution and thus demonstrating a resilient commitment towards the aspirations of the people of South Africa.