The Inclusive Society Institute's participation in the National Dialogue
- Daryl Swanepoel
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Concept note 1/2026
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Inclusive Society Institute
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D I S C L A I M E R
Views expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of the Inclusive Society Institute or those of their respective Board or Council members.
JANUARY 2026
The concept outlines the Inclusive Society Institute’s approach to the National Dialogue. The Institute’s contribution will be conducted in two phases: Phase 1 will be a high-level conceptualisation presented at the first summit, followed by phase two, which will entail a comprehensive process fleshing out a detailed policy proposal for submission to the National Dialogue in the run-up to the second dialogue schedules for next year.
Background: The National Dialogue
The National Dialogue is a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at fostering open and constructive engagement among South Africans to address the country’s most pressing socio-political and economic challenges. It has been convened in response to the rising political uncertainty, social fragmentation and economic stagnation. The Dialogue seeks to build consensus around a shared national vision and actionable pathways for reform, by bringing together government, civil society, business, labour and other social actors, who must partner to jointly shape a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future.
The National Dialogue is premised on the belief that South Africa’s long-term stability and prosperity can only be secured through collective deliberation and action and by creating a structured forum for honest conversation and collaboration, iin order to generate innovative solutions that are owned and driven by the people of South Africa themselves.
The role of the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI)
The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI), with its core mission of promoting a socially just, inclusive and equitable South Africa, regards the National Dialogue as a critical opportunity to contribute constructively to the country’s development path. Recognising that economic transformation and social cohesion are inseparable components of national renewal, the ISI will centre its participation on the interplay between economic growth and social justice.
ISI’s approach: Economic growth underpinned by social cohesion
The ISI will advance the argument that placing the economy on a more acceptable and inclusive growth trajectory is essential, but that such growth must be embedded in a broader framework of social cohesion. This dual focus will ensure that the economic gains are not only sustainable, but are distributed in ways that enhance fairness, that reduce inequality and which fosters unity.
Key tenets of this approach include:
A pro-growth economic agenda and therefore, the ISI will support policies and proposals that aim to enhance productivity, attract investment, foster entrepreneurship and improve job creation, particularly for the youth and historically the marginalised communities.
An economy that is rooted in social justice, which suggests that growth alone is insufficient if it leads to deepening inequality or if it marginalises vulnerable groups and therefore the ISI will advocate for economic policies that are also pro-poor, pro-equity and which ensure access to opportunities, and fair outcomes for all.
Social cohesion as an economic imperative, because social stability, trust and a shared identity are not only moral goals, they are economic assets, in that a cohesive society reduces conflict, improves cooperation and enhances resilience and therefore the ISI will champion initiatives that aim to address demographic fairness, cultural inclusion, equitable representation and the elimination of the systemic barriers to participation.
Demographic and cultural fairness, which means the recognition of South Africa’s diverse social fabric within economic and institutional frameworks and in which representation, cultural acceptance and equitable participation are central to social stability and inclusive development.
Institutional reform and governance for sustainable economic and social outcomes, which requires a capable, transparent and accountable institutions and therefore the ISI will support reforms that rebuild public trust and strengthen democratic governance.
The central role of a capable state
While the commitment of the private sector and active citizenry is vital to South Africa’s development, their efforts and ability to contribute meaningfully are dependent on the presence of a capable and effective state, because no amount of goodwill or enterprise can succeed in the absence of the institutional scaffolding that only a competent public sector can provide. Public services, infrastructure, law enforcement, education and healthcare, all of which are essential to economic dynamism and social cohesion and which require a state that is both efficient and trustworthy.
A capable state is not synonymous with a large or omnipresent state, but rather a government that is strategic, focused and disciplined in its use of resources and mandates. The challenge facing South Africa is not necessarily that the state does too little, but rather that it in fact attempts to do too much with the resources at its disposal, thereby stretching its capacity too thin and undermining performance. This is where the principle of "less is more" must guide a rethinking of the public sector’s role and function.
Instead of spreading limited capacity and resources across an overwhelming range of responsibilities, the state should concentrate on a core set of essential functions, where its role is irreplaceable and its impact most significant. These include, among others, maintaining the rule of law, ensuring macroeconomic stability, delivering quality basic education and healthcare, delivering social services, enabling infrastructure and providing a predictable policy environment. By focusing on doing fewer things, but doing them well, the state can rebuild credibility, restore functionality and support the conditions necessary for private initiative and social partnership to flourish.
Moreover, a capable state must be underpinned by a professional public administration, clear lines of accountability, merit-based appointments and an uncompromising stance on corruption. These institutional attributes are not technical niceties, they are preconditions for development. In their absence, even the most innovative private sector or most committed civil society will struggle to gain traction.
A state that is both strategic and capable becomes a partner in, rather than a barrier to, national renewal. It provides the platform upon which shared prosperity can be built, and without which no social compact can be sustained.
Crucially, the ISI believes that it cannot be business as usual, because South Africa cannot continue to do the same things and expect different results and therefore a new trajectory must anticipate necessary sacrifices and a redefined social compact. This includes:
Community service and active citizenship must be encouraged.
Cultivating a culture of giving, charity and social responsibility must be cultivated.
The tax system should be reformed in order to ensure that the super-rich and multinational corporations pay their fair share.
Temporary financial sacrifices by those who can afford them, as part of a broader national effort to build a more stable and cohesive society, must be considered.
These measures must be understood not as punitive actions or idealistic appeals, but as strategic, forward-looking interventions and a deliberate effort to cushion the nation against the inevitable instability that arises when an economy persistently serves only the privileged few. Without such shared sacrifices, the country risks deepening social fractures that could eventually destabilise the very economy these elites depend on and therefore these sacrifices represent an investment in shared prosperity and national preservation.
Expected outcomes
Through its participation the ISI aims to contribute to:
Building a national consensus on inclusive economic growth as a foundational pillar for societal well-being.
Developing policy recommendations that promote both economic performance and social justice.
The promotion of stronger collaboration between social partners to implement inclusive development strategies.
Enhancing the public discourse on the importance of equity, cohesion and collective responsibility.
Building a national commitment to structural change, accountability and long-term shared sacrifice.
Conclusion
The National Dialogue presents a unique and timely opportunity to reimagine South Africa’s future and therefore the Inclusive Society Institute stands ready to offer thought leadership and convening power to shape a path that reflects the values of social justice, inclusivity and fairness.
To turn this vision into a lived reality for all-of-society will require a new paradigm and new thinking that embraces growth, but not without reform and that encourages investment, but not without fairness; and that promotes unity, but not without accountability. Temporary financial sacrifices, community service, and cultural shifts toward greater empathy and inclusion are not burdens, they are safeguards against collapse. They are necessary instruments to avoid the societal rupture that will surely follow if the current economic path continues to favour the few at the expense of the many.
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This report has been published by the Inclusive Society Institute
The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) is an autonomous and independent institution that functions independently from any other entity. It is founded for the purpose of supporting and further deepening multi-party democracy. The ISI’s work is motivated by its desire to achieve non-racialism, non-sexism, social justice and cohesion, economic development and equality in South Africa, through a value system that embodies the social and national democratic principles associated with a developmental state. It recognises that a well-functioning democracy requires well-functioning political formations that are suitably equipped and capacitated. It further acknowledges that South Africa is inextricably linked to the ever transforming and interdependent global world, which necessitates international and multilateral cooperation. As such, the ISI also seeks to achieve its ideals at a global level through cooperation with like-minded parties and organs of civil society who share its basic values. In South Africa, ISI’s ideological positioning is aligned with that of the current ruling party and others in broader society with similar ideals.
Email: info@inclusivesociety.org.za
Phone: +27 (0) 21 201 1589
Web: www.inclusivesociety.org.za
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