‘No one will be left behind’ (United Nations, 2015), this is the slogan of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) presented in 2015. These goals were written as a development guide for states....Show more‘No one will be left behind’ (United Nations, 2015), this is the slogan of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) presented in 2015. These goals were written as a development guide for states. However, questioned could be is there such a thing as a development guide that is applicable to any national context? This thesis will focus on the SDGs and their use in a national context. This question will be explored through a case study of the South African National Development Plan. First, an overview of the academic debate will be given. Secondly, the method for the analysis will be presented. Thirdly, a close reading of the policy document of the South African National Development plan will be done. The South African government has stated that it will implement the SDGs in its National Development Plan. This paper will examine the extent to which this has been done, and if so, whether the SDGs needed to be adjusted. This paper will attempt to contribute to the academic debate on development policyShow less
