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The Inclusive Society Institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Swanepoel, participated in the 1st National Convention of the National Dialogue, held from 15–16 August 2025 at the University of South Africa’s Muckleneuk Campus, Pretoria.   This historic convention, initiated following the President of the Republic’s call for all South Africans to engage in shaping the nation’s future, marked the formal kick-off of the National Dialogue, a 12-month, citizen-led process aimed at developing a shared 30-year vision for South Africa.   Purpose of the Convention   The convention served as an agenda-setting platform for the National Dialogue. It brought together representatives from 30 sectors of society, including civil society, labour, business, government and political parties, ensuring broad inclusivity.   Key objectives included:   Launching the National Dialogue process and setting its guiding spirit. Introducing the citizen-led dialogue framework. Showcasing community-based and citizen-initiated model dialogues. Agreeing on organising principles and processes for ward-based and sectoral dialogues. Presenting the Eminent Persons Group and Steering Committee who will oversee the process.   Looking ahead   The National Dialogue Convention laid the groundwork for an extensive year-long process of public and sectoral dialogues across the country. Through these, South Africans from all walks of life will have the opportunity to reflect on the nation’s journey, confront difficult conversations and collaboratively imagine the path forward.   The Inclusive Society Institute remains deeply engaged in this process and will continue contributing to efforts aimed at strengthening democracy, inclusivity, and long-term nation-building.

Copyright © 2025   Inclusive Society Institute PO Box 12609 Mill Street Cape Town, 8010 South Africa   235-515 NPO   All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the permission in writing from the Inclusive Society Institute DISCLAIMER   Views expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of the Inclusive Society Institute or its Board or Council members.   This report has been drafted with the assistance of ChatGpt. Original transcripts of the presentations made during a meeting held on 31 July 2025 which have been summarised with the use of the AI tool and then edited and amended where necessary by the rapporteur for correctness and context.   August 2025   Rapporteur: Odile Bulten Editor: Daryl Swanepoel CONTENTS 1 SETTING THE SCENE: Rethinking development financing in Africa’s age of uncertainty 2 FINANCING AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT IN A COMPLEX GLOBAL ORDER: Insights from Amb Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule 2.1 Global dynamics and emerging complexities 2.2 Historical legacy and the African development agenda 2.3 The political economy of bilateral aid and its limitations 2.4 The African Union’s strategic financial reforms 2.5 Sector-specific challenges and the imperative for differentiated financing approaches 2.6 Conclusions and strategic recommendations 3 DELEGATE PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT FINANCING: Ground-level realities and strategic reflections 3.1 Enduring Aid Dependency and Its Institutional Impacts 3.2 The gap between fiscal discourse and budgetary commitment 3.3 Domestic resource mobilisation: An ambition yet to be realised 3.4 Mindset shift: Beyond material constraints 3.5 National case studies: Illustrations from the ground 3.6 Conclusion: Redefining responsibility in African development finance 4 INSIGHTS FROM THE DISCUSSION 5 RECOMMENDATIONS AND ROADMAP 6 ROADMAP Cover photo (Africa): istock.com - Stock illustration ID:2090866893 Cover photo (Money): istock.com - Stock photo ID:484780166 1 SETTING THE SCENE Rethinking development financing in Africa’s age of uncertainty   Africa’s development trajectory remains intricately tied to how the continent mobilises, manages and governs its financial resources. Despite decades of reformist declarations and regional development strategies, much of Africa’s growth potential continues to be constrained by structural dependencies on external funding, narrow domestic revenue bases and fragmented financial governance. The imperative to reimagine how Africa finances its development is no longer a matter of long-term planning, it is a strategic necessity in the face of global shifts and declining aid flows.   Recent reductions in Official Development Assistance (ODA), most notably from the United States, have exposed the vulnerabilities of a model built on external goodwill and short-term commitments. Many African states remain heavily reliant on aid to fund critical sectors such as health, education and infrastructure. With donor priorities shifting inward and multilateral budgets tightening, the continent faces a growing risk of underinvestment in public services, institutional capacity and long-term development goals.   Private capital, heralded as the next frontier of development finance, has not delivered on its promise. Mechanisms such as blended finance and impact investing, though widely promoted in global frameworks like the Compromiso de Sevilla, have yet to gain meaningful traction in Africa. In practice, these models often prioritise risk minimisation for investors over developmental outcomes. Moreover, the absence of enforceable accountability structures, time-bound targets and alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) priorities renders such instruments inadequate substitutes for traditional financing, especially in countries with weak credit ratings or limited financial markets.   This financial fragility is compounded by enduring issues such as capital flight, illicit financial flows, inefficient tax systems and limited institutional capacity to collect and manage public revenue. The consequences are far-reaching: reduced fiscal space for social spending, stagnating infrastructure development and constrained investments in education, innovation and job creation. These factors collectively undermine the continent’s ability to chart an independent and sustainable development path.   Amid these pressures, the conversation is shifting. There is growing consensus that Africa must adopt a more self-reliant, diversified and resilient financing strategy. Central to this is the need to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, from expanding tax bases to improving public financial management. Equally important is the pursuit of regional mechanisms for pooled financing, as seen in efforts by the African Union to operationalise frameworks like the Kigali Financing Decision. Such initiatives aim to fund continental priorities through internally generated revenues, signalling a shift away from donor dependency toward institutional sovereignty.   Furthermore, Africa’s position in global financial governance needs to be recalibrated. The continent’s ability to influence international norms on debt, aid and investment remains limited, even as these decisions have disproportionate effects on African economies. Coordinated negotiation strategies, stronger regional blocs and greater use of collective voice within institutions such as the IMF, World Bank and WTO are critical steps toward reshaping the rules that govern financial flows into and out of the continent.   It is against this backdrop that the Africa Think Tank Dialogue (ATD) convened the July 2025 session on "Funding for Development." The aim was to interrogate the assumptions underpinning Africa’s current financing landscape, assess the viability of emerging models and explore actionable strategies for building a more autonomous and development-aligned financial ecosystem. The conversation recognises that Africa’s development challenge is not solely about mobilising more funds, but about gaining greater control over the sources, conditions, and uses of those funds.   The following section offers an in-depth reflection on these issues through a comprehensive analysis of Africa’s development financing architecture. Drawing from institutional history, policy evolution and emerging continental frameworks, the discussion explores how Africa can transition from reactive dependency to proactive financial sovereignty.   2 FINANCING AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT IN A COMPLEX GLOBAL ORDER Insights from Amb Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule Head of Policy at the African National Congress and former South African diplomat and senior African Union official   Ambassador Fébé Potgieter’s contribution to the African Think Tank Dialogue (ATD) offers a rare and incisive panorama of Africa’s evolving financial landscape. Drawing from extensive diplomatic engagement, institutional analysis and policy reform within the African Union (AU), Potgieter contextualises Africa’s development challenges within a shifting global geopolitical framework. Her intervention not only traces the historical and structural challenges associated with development financing, but also calls for a revitalised commitment to internal continental reforms and differentiated strategies that reflect the nuanced demands of peace, infrastructure, climate and human development.   In this report, her address is analysed in depth across six thematic axes: the shifting global context; the historical evolution of the African development financing agenda; the political economy of bilateral aid and its limitations; AU institutional reforms; differentiated sectoral financing approaches; and the critical policy lessons that must guide Africa’s path forward. 2.1 Global dynamics and emerging complexities   Ambassador Potgieter opened her remarks by situating Africa’s development predicament within a broader landscape marked by diminishing international support and increasing complexity in geopolitical relations. She underscored that Africa finds itself navigating a global environment where traditional donor support, particularly from the United States, has significantly waned. This reduction is not isolated to bilateral arrangements, but extends to support for multilateral institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other developmental arms of the international system.   This retrenchment of multilateral financing directly undermines the capacity of African states to respond to pressing health, climate and economic challenges. The inability to rely on predictable, rules-based multilateral support has led to a funding vacuum that compromises the effectiveness of research, health systems and long-term developmental programming. It also restricts the continent’s agency in shaping global norms around health security, climate adaptation and post-conflict recovery.   Potgieter further noted a worrying trend in bilateral trade relations, where aid and trade are increasingly conflated under coercive conditionalities. Rather than advancing mutually beneficial trade, some powerful nations have imposed unilateral tariffs, as high as 30% to 50%, under the guise of market negotiations. These tariffs, presented as non-negotiable, are often tied to political concessions or commercial advantages for the donor country’s corporations, significantly undermining the negotiating power and economic sovereignty of African states.   In the domain of peace and security, Potgieter identified a paralysis within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), particularly in terms of supporting peacekeeping operations in Africa. While historically the UNSC has authorised missions across the continent, the current dysfunction, marked by geopolitical deadlock and resource withdrawal, has left many African conflicts underfunded and unresolved. This is particularly problematic given that most UN peacekeeping missions in recent decades have taken place in Africa.   Adding to this challenging context is the issue of climate finance. Potgieter emphasised the compounded impact of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the broader failure of developed nations to honour climate finance commitments. This not only leaves African countries vulnerable to natural disasters and environmental degradation, but also deprives them of the funding necessary for climate adaptation, resilience building and post-disaster recovery.   Taken together, these trends present a highly constrained global environment, where the traditional instruments of development cooperation are no longer reliable and where African agency is increasingly restricted by external priorities and internal fragility. 2.2 Historical legacy and the African development agenda   To better understand contemporary dynamics, Potgieter encouraged a retrospective examination of the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period she characterised as critical in shaping the trajectory of Africa’s development financing discourse. During this era, African leaders, responding to decades of underdevelopment and marginalisation, began articulating a more assertive continental agenda centred on debt forgiveness, institutional reform and integration into global governance structures.   One of the central debates of the time was the growing recognition that African countries were servicing debt at unsustainable levels. The cost of interest payments on sovereign debt often exceeded the total volume of development assistance received. This financial paradox became the rallying point for global debt cancellation campaigns, most notably the Jubilee 2000 movement, which was spearheaded by civil society actors, faith-based organisations and progressive political leaders. Potgieter recalled how this advocacy led to meaningful, if partial, debt relief initiatives and drew global attention to the structural imbalances embedded in the international financial system.   Concurrently, African countries were crafting the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), which sought to reframe the continent’s development narrative from one of dependency to one of strategic partnership and homegrown solutions. The NEPAD agenda emphasised regional integration, institutional reform and engagement with global forums such as the G8, G20 and the World Trade Organization. This period marked Africa’s concerted effort to avoid marginalisation amid the rapid globalisation of trade and capital, particularly following what Potgieter termed the “dead development decades” of the 1970s and 1980s.   African countries also began engaging in bilateral partnerships designed to enhance trade and development cooperation. Initiatives such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), as well as similar engagements with the UK and EU, promised to channel resources into infrastructure and social development. While these engagements were symbolically significant, Potgieter hinted that they were often asymmetrical in nature, reflecting deeper power imbalances. 2.3 The political economy of bilateral aid and its limitations   Potgieter’s critique of bilateral aid was particularly compelling. She dismantled the illusion of donor altruism, arguing that most aid packages were embedded in a transactional logic designed to advance the strategic and commercial interests of donor countries. Aid was seldom unconditional. It came with clauses favouring donor-country companies in project implementation, a phenomenon she illustrated using the example of energy infrastructure development in the Democratic Republic of Congo.   This arrangement often meant that aid funds were effectively recycled back to donor economies via contracts awarded to firms headquartered in the Global North. In consequence, African economies saw limited gains in terms of local capacity building, employment or technology transfer. Industrial development stagnated and inter-African trade remained negligible despite decades of donor interventions.   She cited Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who in characteristically blunt terms criticised African leaders for “dancing for donors” while ignoring the fiscal contributions of their own citizens. This metaphor underscored a broader epistemic dependency, where external validation was sought at the expense of internal confidence and ownership.   While acknowledging that some least-developed countries remain structurally dependent on aid, especially for health and education, Potgieter urged a paradigm shift toward recognising and scaling up domestic resource mobilisation, reinforcing the principle that development must be funded and driven by Africans themselves. 2.4 The African Union’s strategic financial reforms   One of the most substantive elements of Potgieter’s address was her detailed account of the African Union’s institutional response to financial dependency. She identified two landmark initiatives: The first was led by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. This initiative assessed Africa’s external and internal financing patterns, providing a holistic overview of aid flows, loan repayments, foreign direct investment and infrastructural needs. Its key recommendation was that the African Union should significantly reduce its reliance on external funding. This led to the historic Kigali Financing Decision in 2016, which proposed that the AU finance at least 75% of its operational and programmatic budget internally, alongside 25% to 30% of its peace support operations.   To operationalise this vision, the AU introduced a 0.2% import levy, modelled after ECOWAS’s financing mechanism, to generate predictable and sustainable revenue. While conceptually sound, implementation has been uneven due to resistance from both external partners and AU member states, particularly in the SADC region.   The second initiative was spearheaded by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who chaired the High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs). This panel revealed that Africa loses billions annually due to capital flight, through tax avoidance, under-declaration of mineral exports and illegal financial transactions. The volume of IFFs far outstrips official development assistance, making it a central priority for reform. Importantly, the panel broadened the definition of IFFs to include legal but unethical corporate practices, thus spotlighting systemic enablers of underdevelopment both within and outside Africa.   Both initiatives advanced the principle of developmental sovereignty, arguing that the continent’s future cannot be outsourced to donor agendas, but must be rooted in sound domestic institutions, transparent governance and strategic resource retention. 2.5 Sector-specific challenges and the imperative for differentiated financing approaches   Potgieter was unequivocal in her assertion that financing African development cannot be approached monolithically. She advocated for a differentiated approach tailored to the unique needs and financing structures of various sectors.   In the realm of peace and security, for instance, she noted that African-led peace enforcement operations are frequently underfunded and strategically marginalised due to the UN’s preference for “peacekeeping” rather than “peace enforcement.” This hesitancy creates a gap that African institutions must fill independently. The Kigali Decision envisioned a more autonomous AU, capable of rapid deployment and intervention in fragile contexts, even when the UN fails to act.   Climate finance represents another sector where global commitments have fallen short. While Africa bears the brunt of climate change, it receives only a fraction of the promised adaptation funds. Financing here must be concessional, long-term and equity-based, with a focus on resilience, loss and damage and disaster preparedness.   In the health and education sectors, Potgieter acknowledged that aid remains vital for many LDCs. However, she emphasised the importance of enhancing domestic fiscal capacity and service delivery mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability. These sectors also require predictable, recurrent funding, which external partners are often reluctant to guarantee.   On infrastructure, she noted a positive trend. Citing an AU-NEPAD review of the PIDA (Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa), Potgieter highlighted that Africa had exceeded some of its targets in attracting external financing for infrastructure projects. While the quality and strategic relevance of these projects vary, this progress signals that infrastructure may be an area of relative strength that can be scaled up. 2.6 Conclusions and strategic recommendations   Ambassador Potgieter concluded with a stark, but hopeful message: while Africa has made commendable progress in articulating its development priorities and designing institutional mechanisms, the challenge remains one of implementation and political will. The continent’s financing future hinges not only on external conditions, but on internal choices, alignments and reforms.   She called for a revival of the Kigali Decision, strengthened enforcement of AU member obligations and a renewed campaign to operationalise the recommendations of both the Obasanjo and Mbeki panels. Equally important is a shift in narrative, from one of dependence to one of agency. African leaders must centre their citizens’ contributions, challenge exploitative trade dynamics and reclaim the continent’s role as a proactive agent in global development.   Above all, Potgieter urged African institutions to adopt strategically disaggregated financing strategies. Peacekeeping, climate resilience, infrastructure, education and health all demand distinct financing models, tailored governance arrangements and sector-specific partnerships.   Her address stands as a compelling call to action, insisting that Africa's development trajectory is not merely shaped by global forces, but by the courage and coordination of its own institutions.   3 DELEGATE PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT FINACING Ground-level realities and strategic reflections   As the keynote concluded, the dialogue opened to participants from across the continent, think tank representatives, who brought national and regional perspectives into sharper focus. Their contributions revealed a shared concern about Africa’s entrenched reliance on external financing, as well as a collective desire to see greater fiscal ownership, institutional discipline and mindset transformation in how the continent finances its development priorities.   The contributions, grounded in lived national realities, provided compelling illustrations of how financing challenges play out at policy and operational levels. Despite differences in country contexts, a number of strong thematic threads emerged: an enduring dependence on external funding; limited progress in mobilising domestic resources; institutional misalignment between fiscal policy and development ambitions; and the urgent need for African governments to demonstrate greater political and budgetary ownership over national development agendas. 3.1 Enduring Aid Dependency and Its Institutional Impacts   Across multiple interventions, the extent to which African states remain dependent on donor financing was laid bare. A participant from Nigeria spoke candidly about the situation in their country, particularly within the health sector, where international donors continue to play an outsized role in sustaining essential services. “Most of our countries are largely dependent on external funding,” the participant said, adding that in many cases, donors provide 80 to 90 percent of the financial resources required to run health programmes. Governments may contribute the remaining 10 or 20 percent, but this often functions more as a symbolic gesture than a foundation for sovereignty.   This reality, the speaker emphasised, is not limited to Nigeria. It is reflective of a broader pattern across the continent, where reliance on bilateral and multilateral development assistance, particularly for social sectors, remains deeply entrenched. While such aid has filled vital gaps, its continued dominance raises questions about ownership, sustainability and accountability.   Another delegate echoed this concern, noting that donor-dependency distorts national priorities. With programmes and timelines often shaped to fit donor cycles, governments may find themselves aligning with external benchmarks rather than homegrown development plans. This, in turn, weakens the autonomy of national institutions and limits their capacity to build long-term financing frameworks tailored to local needs.   3.2 The gap between fiscal discourse and budgetary commitment   Several participants drew attention to the disjuncture between public policy discourse and actual fiscal behaviour. While national leaders routinely emphasise the importance of African self-reliance and ownership over development financing, national budgets frequently fail to reflect these priorities in meaningful terms.   For example, one participant pointed out that although domestic funding for health or education is often formally included in national plans, the actual disbursement of such funds is frequently delayed, incomplete or deprioritised. External donors are then called upon to fill the void. This reinforces the dependency cycle and signals to development partners that national leadership may not fully prioritise these sectors.   Delegates noted that this credibility gap has long-term consequences. Donors may become reluctant to transition financial and programmatic control to national governments if those governments appear unwilling or unable to take full fiscal responsibility. Thus, the absence of consistent and timely domestic funding undermines both national autonomy and international trust. 3.3 Domestic resource mobilisation: An ambition yet to be realised   The imperative to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation (DRM) emerged as a core theme. One delegate observed that African countries often speak passionately about the need to take charge of their development, but continue to rely overwhelmingly on foreign funding when it comes to actual implementation. “We must take ownership,” a participant urged, emphasising that the continent already possesses the material and human capital necessary to drive its development, what is lacking is the coordination and resolve to marshal those resources effectively.   However, delegates were not naïve about the obstacles. A narrow tax base, large informal economies and limited administrative capacity to collect and manage revenue were all cited as structural constraints to effective DRM. Moreover, the legitimacy of taxation itself is often undermined by poor service delivery and weak public trust, which make citizens less willing to comply with tax obligations. One speaker summarised this cycle succinctly: “If people don’t see the benefits of paying taxes, they will continue to evade them.”   Nonetheless, there was strong support for DRM as the only viable path to sustainable development finance. Delegates called for reforms in tax administration, more equitable revenue policies and more transparent use of public funds. Several noted that when citizens believe their contributions are being used responsibly, they are more likely to accept taxation as part of a legitimate social contract. 3.4 Mindset shift: Beyond material constraints   Beyond technical and institutional constraints, some participants emphasised the importance of changing the way African states and societies conceptualise their own capabilities. “We must stop thinking we are poor,” one speaker urged, calling for a revaluation of Africa’s internal strengths, its people, its culture, its natural resources and its economic potential. This mindset, they argued, is not only necessary for building public confidence, but also for shifting how African countries position themselves globally, not as aid recipients, but as equal partners and contributors to global development.   This was not merely a rhetorical point. Several participants connected this mindset to concrete governance behaviour: When leaders believe they must rely on donors, they structure their budgets, policies and political strategies accordingly. But when they commit to mobilising internal resources, even modestly, they begin to invest in the systems and institutions that enable long-term transformation. 3.5 National case studies: Illustrations from the ground   Delegates offered insights from specific country contexts to ground these broader themes. A representative spoke of Côte d’Ivoire, saying that while strategic frameworks for national development are in place, the actual financial resources required to implement them often fall short. The speaker highlighted the tensions between national ambition and fiscal reality, a gap that too often results in underperformance or missed targets.   Another participant shared the Ugandan perspective, that while efforts are underway to increase domestic contributions to national priorities, challenges persist. The tax base remains narrow, enforcement mechanisms are weak and institutional coordination is inconsistent. Despite these hurdles, there was cautious optimism that gradual reforms and increased fiscal discipline could pave the way for more predictable and autonomous financing in the years ahead.   Other speakers echoed these sentiments, reinforcing the view that while no country is immune to constraints, each must find its own pathway to incrementally reduce its reliance on external financing and strengthen domestic systems of financial governance. 3.6 Conclusion: Redefining responsibility in African development finance   The delegate inputs underscored a crucial insight: that the question of financing development in Africa is not simply a matter of technical solutions or financial inflows. It is fundamentally a question of political will, institutional integrity and shared responsibility, between governments and citizens and among countries within the continent.   While donors will likely remain part of the financing mix in the near term, the overwhelming message was clear: Africa must take decisive steps to own its development trajectory, not only in policy, but in budgeting, implementation and accountability. This includes setting clear national priorities, committing adequate domestic resources, building trust with citizens through responsible governance and resisting the temptation to default to donor dependency.   In short, the dialogue confirmed that development financing is inseparable from development ownership. And until African governments prioritise the internal financing of their national ambitions, external actors will continue to shape the pace, scope and direction of Africa’s future. 4 INSIGHTS FROM THE DISCUSSION   This report presents an extensive overview of Africa's development financing landscape, integrating an in-depth discussion and insights from African perspectives, to outline pivotal conclusions, recommendations and a strategic roadmap.   Furthermore, it emphasises the need for integrated policy proposals that address funding, security and economic growth comprehensively. The success of these goals hinges on the pivotal role of governance and leadership in empowering African institutions to take ownership of their development and security challenges.   Key conclusions   Dependency on external funding   Africa's development has predominantly relied on external funding, like Official Development Assistance (ODA) and private capital. However, diminishing ODA and the limited efficacy of private capital mechanisms have exposed the vulnerabilities of this model.   Financial fragility   Factors such as capital flight, illicit financial flows, inefficient tax systems and constrained institutional capacity have exacerbated Africa's financial fragility, limiting fiscal space for essential social and infrastructure investments.   Shift Towards Self-Reliance   There is a growing consensus that Africa must adopt a more self-reliant, diversified and resilient financing strategy, focusing on strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and pursuing regional pooled financing mechanisms.   Global financial governance   Africa's influence in shaping global financial norms on debt, aid and investments remains limited, necessitating strategic recalibration.   Sector-specific financing challenges   Sectors like peace, security, climate finance, health and education require tailored financial strategies.   Inclusive economic growth   Emphasis was placed on fostering growth that benefits all citizens, addressing debt relief, equitable trade agreements and robust infrastructure development. Civil Society Engagement   Civil society’s role is critical in addressing security challenges, promoting good governance, accountability and ensuring efficient resource utilisation.   Leadership and institutional capacity   Strong leadership and robust institutions are vital for effective resources management, corruption mitigation and policy implementation.   Interconnected pillars   Security, funding, economic growth and governance are intrinsically linked. Inclusive sustainable development hinges on addressing these elements collectively when designing policies.    5 RECOMMENDATIONS AND ROADMAP   To achieve financial sovereignty, Africa must transition from external dependency to proactive internal strategies and reforms. This includes seizing potential opportunities for growth and investing in innovative technologies. These actionable recommendations offer an opportunity to shape the continent’s development future.   The proposed Roadmap  serves as a call to action for Africa to take decisive steps in shaping its development trajectory. This involves setting clear national priorities, committing sufficient domestic resources, fostering trust with citizens, including the Youth, through responsible governance, and resisting the allure of donor dependency.   Revive the Kigali Decision , which aims to reduce Africa's reliance on external funding by financing at least 75% of the African Union's operational and programmatic budget internally, alongside 25% to 30% of its peace support operations. Pursuing regional pooled mechanisms to fund continental priorities through internally generated revenues is crucial.   Enforce the AU member commitments in order to ensure compliance with agreed-upon financial obligations.   Implement the recommendations of the Obasanjo and Mbeki Reports, which recommendations focus on reducing external financial dependency and curbing illicit financial flows.   Adopt differentiated financing strategies, whereby African institutions are urged to tailor sector-specific approaches, such as concessional loans for infrastructure, long-term financing for climate resilience and predictable funding for peacekeeping, education and health.   Promote a narrative of agency in which African leaders are encouraged to highlight citizens' contributions, challenge inequitable trade dynamics and assert Africa’s proactive role in global development.   Strengthen domestic resource mobilisation by expanding tax bases, enhancing public fiscal management and boosting institutional efficiency to collect and manage public revenue.   Recalibrate Africa's position in global financial governance by coordinating negotiation strategies, strengthening regional blocs and amplifying Africa’s collective voice in global forums and institutions. Enhance political will and institutional integrity so as to align national priorities with budgeting, implementation and accountability.   6 ROADMAP   1. Short-Term (1-2 years) :   Reform tax and fiscal management systems to improve domestic resource mobilisation. Activate regional financing frameworks like the Kigali Financing Decision . Develop and implement sector-specific financial strategies.   2. Medium-Term (3-5 years) :   Strengthen regional blocs for global influence. Scale up and sustain successful domestic resource mobilisation initiatives. Align sector-specific financing models with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   3. Long-Term (5+ years) :   Drastically reduce reliance on external funding. Position Africa as a key global development actor. Ensure resilient, sustainable financing aligned with long-term development objectives.     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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

On Monday, 25 August 2025, the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) hosted a high-level webinar entitled “Reform UN80: Renewal or Decline? The Future of Multilateralism at the United Nations’ 80th Anniversary.”  The event formed part of ISI’s ongoing consultations to shape its position on global governance reform.   The webinar brought together a distinguished panel of former senior United Nations officials and experts, who reflected on the UN Secretary-General’s Reform UN80 initiative, launched to ensure the organisation remains fit for purpose in a rapidly changing global order.   Key themes   Discussions were structured around four pressing questions:   The true aim of Reform UN80 and whether it represents genuine political renewal or merely administrative streamlining. The UN’s deepening budget crisis, including the political nature of arrears and the impact on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. The rise of unilateralism and its implications for multilateral cooperation. The consequences of US-China rivalry for the UN system and the opportunities and risks this creates for the Global South, particularly Africa.   Speakers emphasised that while efficiency measures, such as mandate reviews and budget rationalisation are important, they cannot substitute for political renewal and trust in the UN’s Charter principles. They argued that Africa, and South Africa in particular, have a pivotal role to play in shaping reform outcomes and ensuring that the voices of the Global South are heard.   Conclusion   The consultation concluded that the UN stands at a crossroads: it can either enter a cycle of decline marked by financial fragility and great-power rivalry, or seize this reform moment to rebuild legitimacy, strengthen multilateralism and amplify the Global South’s agency.

Media Coverage - 2025 Sep 2, 2025 Distrust of African immigrants linked to employment status, survey finds The Mercury: Jonisayi Maromo Up Sep 2, 2025 Rising distrust of African immigrants could spark instability, warns Inclusive Society Institute eNCA The South African Morning Up Sep 2, 2025 Survey reveals rising distrust of African immigrants in SA eNCA The Morning Show Up Sep 1, 2025 Rising distrust of African immigrants could spark instability, warns Inclusive Society Institute IOL: Jonisayi Maromo Up Sep 1, 2025 GovDem Survey Reveals Rising Distrust Toward African Immigrants in South Africa SAfm: Mari Harris Up Aug 30, 2025 Meer as `kumbaya-oomblik' Die Burger: Daryl Swanepoel Up Aug 30, 2025 Survey reveals rising distrust of African immigrants in SA Newzroom Afrika Up Aug 28, 2025 Malema Found Guilty of Hate Speech: Court Warns of Dangerous Incitement joburg(etc) Up Aug 28, 2025 Malema hit with hate speech guilt — court condemns call to ‘kill racists’ African Insider Up Aug 28, 2025 Julius Malema found guilty of hate speech by Equality Court iReport South Africa Up Aug 28, 2025 SA Human Rights Commission to pursue sanctions against Malema after hate speech ruling news24 Up Aug 28, 2025 Malema guilty of hate speech with his call to kill The Citizen Up Aug 27, 2025 Nasionale dialoog méér as ’n ‘kumbaya-oomblik’ Netwerk 24 Up Aug 26, 2025 GovDem survey revealing deepening distrust of African immigrants is an alarm bell Daily Maverick: Daryl Swanepoel Up Aug 26, 2025 Warning against inflated illegal immigration figures eNCA Up Aug 26, 2025 One year into GNU and trade department is missing in action Business Day: Tumi Tsehlo Up Aug 24, 2025 Operation Dudula: SA guarantees Mozambicans protection Weekly SA Mirror Up Aug 23, 2025 Operation Dudula’s vigilante crusade meets Parliament’s fury Sunday Tribune: Sizwe Dlamini Up Aug 23, 2025 Operation Dudula’s vigilante crusade meets Parliament’s fury Sunday Tribune: Sizwe Dlamini Up Aug 23, 2025 Operation Dudula’s vigilante crusade meets Parliament’s fury IOL: Sizwe Dlamini Up Aug 20, 2025 The watchdogs of democracy – the vital role of SA’s state institutions Daily Maverick: Nicola Bergsteedt Up Aug 20, 2025 Africa’s future must be funded by Africans Business Day: Odile Bulten & Daryl Swanepoel Up Aug 12, 2025 Explainer: The National Dialogue CapeTalk: Daryl Swanepoel Up Aug 11, 2025 National Dialogue is not about politicians talking, it’s about people doing Mail & Guardian: Klaus Kotzé Up Aug 6, 2025 Empowering small-scale fisheries Business Day: Samantha Williams Up Aug 3, 2025 Die land brand, maar Cyril is hand om die blaas met bevryder-broeders Netwerk24 Up Aug 1, 2025 Steps SA simply must take in an effort to secure a US trade deal Daily Maverick: William Gumede Up Jul 31, 2025 Net praat sonder ekonomiese groei sal land niks baat nie Die Burger: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 30, 2025 Africa, the US and the East: In search of balance in a changing world BuyPE.co.za Up Jul 29, 2025 Africa, the US and the East: In search of balance in a changing world Mail & Guardian: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 29, 2025 South African Don urges swift action to avert US tariffs, boost investment African Telescope: Olakunle Oyedunmola Up Jul 28, 2025 SA must take drastic action to avert US tariffs deadline and unblock investment Daily Maverick: William Gumede Up Jul 24, 2025 The National Dialogue: Solidarity not just a Moral Idea, it’s an Economic Necessity for South Africa African News Agency Up Jul 24, 2025 The National Dialogue: Solidarity not just a Moral Idea, it's an Economic Necessity for South Africa The Star: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 24, 2025 The National Dialogue: Solidarity not just a Moral Idea, it's an Economic Necessity for South Africa IOL: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 23, 2025 Niks sal kom van praat sonder ekonomiese groei nie Netwerk24: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 20, 2025 The challenge of cohesion: Lessons from Singapore for South Africa’s diverse tapestry Daily Maverick: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 16, 2025 Bank of China Johannesburg Branch and South African Inclusive Society Institute jointly organized a questionnaire survey on Chinese investors Tide News Up Jul 2, 2025 DA's call for civil society to boycott the National Dialogue Radio 786: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 2, 2025 National Dialogue | Call for all to engage and participate eNCA: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 1, 2025 Let’s not allow disagreements to derail national effort - ISI reacts to DA news24: Amanda Khoza Up Jul 1, 2025 Electoral Reform - Time to do it properly IRR: Marius Roodt Up Jun 25, 2025 Exploring political party funding disclosures msn.com: Zandile Khumalo Up Jun 25, 2025 Exploring political party funding disclosures eNCA: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 24, 2025 South Africa’s Youth Eye the Exit: Brain Drain Gathers Steam joburg(etc): Zaghrah Up Jun 23, 2025 Managing Diversity in South Africa: Learning from the UAE experience IOL: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 23, 2025 Managing diversity in South Africa: Learning from the UAE experience Trending Online Up Jun 23, 2025 Emigration warning for South Africa BusinessTech: Malcolm Libera Up Jun 23, 2025 4 years of the Political Funding Act: what works, what doesn’t – and what’s next? News24: Jan Gerber Up Jun 20, 2025 Equitable tax regime absent for very rich and multinationals Business Day: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 17, 2025 Suid-Afrika is verwond, maar nie verslaan IOL: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 17, 2025 Rethinking Leadership: A Diplomatic Reflection on US Global Primacy in a Changing World IOL: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 17, 2025 Rebuilding trust with the National Dialogue The Witness: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 13, 2025 Rebuilding trust is key to social cohesion Mail & Guardian: Tania Ajam & Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 13, 2025 'Kill the Boer' is legal but not wise in our fragile nation Daily maverick: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 12, 2025 Lied 'wettig, maar dwaas' Die Burger Up Jun 12, 2025 Inclusive Social Development: Promoting social inclusion and reducing inequality Parliamentary Research Unit Up Jun 12, 2025 Rebuilding trust — the imperative of the National Dialogue for SA’s future Daily Maverick: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 11, 2025 Inclusive Society Institute welcomes dialogue idea Newzroom Afrika: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 11, 2025 South Africa secures R26bn infrastructure loan eNCA: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 11, 2025 ‘Kill the Boer’ is wettig, maar onwys in brose SA Netwerk24: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 10, 2025 ConCourt shuts door on AfriForum over "Kill the Boer": Why they got it wrong BizNews: Sara Gon Up Jun 10, 2025 ConCourt shuts door on AfriForum over "Kill the Boer": Why they got it wrong IRR: Sara Gon Up Jun 10, 2025 AI and social media: A double-edged sword that demands responsibility Daily & Guardian: Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 10, 2025 The ConCourt refused leave to appeal “Kill the boer” – was this wrong? Daily Friend: Sara Gon Up Jun 4, 2025 Words that wound — ‘Kill the Boer’ is legal, but not wise for a fragile South Africa Daily Maverick: Daryl Swanepoel Up May 31, 2025 Rich people flooding out of South Africa Daily Investor Up May 31, 2025 White Paper on National Labour Migration Policy for South Africa Department of Employment and Labour, South Africa Up May 28, 2025 Going for growth: Structural reforms are needed for economic recovery News24: William Gumede Up May 25, 2025 Grok 'white genocide' misinformation shows need for African-tailored AI algorithms BuyPE.co.za Up May 23, 2025 Grok reveals need for African AI Mail & Guardian: Nkateko Joseph Mabasa Up May 23, 2025 Grok reveals need for African AI Pressreader Up May 20, 2025 Budget: Building economic resilience through three strategic interventions Mail & Guardian: Jan van Heerden & Daryl Swanepoel Up May 16, 2025 SA op dieselfde vlak in terme van menseregte as Australië en VSA Valley FM Up May 15, 2025 Menseregte-barometer: Só vergelyk SA met ander G20-lande Netwerk24: Ané van Zyl Up May 15, 2025 Internal Question Paper National Council of Provinces Up May 7, 2025 SA's economy growth outlook growing increasingly dim Ladies House Up May 7, 2025 SA's economy growth outlook growing increasingly dim The Citizen: Ina Opperman Up May 1, 2025 South Africa: Why finance minister Godongwana will stay despite budget mess The Africa Report: Carien du Plessis Up Apr 28, 2025 New survey shows South Africans are not feeling tangible benefits from the GNU Radio 702: Mari Harris Up Apr 26, 2025 GNU popular, but people frustrated and sceptical: poll Daily Friend Up Apr 25, 2025 VAT deal saves the GNU just in time, as survey shows SA is fed up Daily Maverick: Ferial Haffajee Up Apr 23, 2025 Nation-building or nation-breaking? The GNU needs an identity reset Daily Maverick: Ferial Haffajee Up Apr 14, 2025 The fragility of the Government of National Unity — the risk is palpable Daily Maverick: Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 4, 2025 DA wil nog aanbly in RNE - vir eers Die Burger: Dennis Delport, Llewellyn Prince en Raymond Willemse Up Apr 3, 2025 RNE | Peiling toon twyfel oor positiewe samewerking in regering van nasionale eenheid Netwerk24 Up Apr 3, 2025 Ipsos survey on the state of the GNU You FM: Mari Harris Up Apr 3, 2025 DA se deelname aan RNE bly in die weegskaal Netwerk24: Dennis Delport, Llewellyn Prince en Raymond Willemse Up Apr 2, 2025 Climate finance mechanisms must not deepen inequalities BusinessDay: Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 26, 2025 Hoe Musk en de Afrikaner lobby Trump bespelen nrc Up Mar 18, 2025 Focus on the 2024 Social Cohesion Index Research SAfm: The Morning Brief Up Mar 17, 2025 Consul General Pan Qingjiang celebrates women's cooperation between China and South Africa IOL: Jonisay Maromo Up Mar 6, 2025 Sports as a tool for unity MP Update: Tshepang Mokoena Up Mar 6, 2025 Sports as a tool for unity Bushbuckridge News Up Mar 5, 2025 Deputy President Paul Mashatile: Social Cohesion Dialogue EinPressWire Up Mar 5, 2025 Mashatile champions sports as a unifying force in SA sanews.gov.za Up Mar 5, 2025 South Africa: Mashatile Champions Sports As a Unifying Force in South Africa All Africa Up Mar 5, 2025 Sport as a Unifying Force: Paul Mashatile Calls for Greater Social Cohesion Devdiscourse Up Mar 4, 2025 Deputy President Paul Mashatile: Social Cohesion Dialogue gov.za Up Feb 28, 2025 Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication Issues Discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum Haberler Up Feb 28, 2025 Public diplomacy and strategic communication discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum canligaste Up Feb 28, 2025 “Türkiye-Africa Media Forum” was held in Istanbul Ogretmenler Up Feb 28, 2025 Public diplomacy and strategic communication discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum eurovizyon Up Feb 28, 2025 Türkiye-Africa Media Forum: The model implemented by Türkiye needs to be known more across the continent Milli Iradenin Sesi Star Up Feb 28, 2025 Public diplomacy and strategic communication discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum 24 SAAT Up Feb 28, 2025 Public diplomacy and strategic communication issues were discussed at the Türkiye-Africa Media Forum. SonDakika Up Feb 28, 2025 Public diplomacy and strategic communication discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum Avrupa Gazete Up Feb 28, 2025 Public diplomacy and strategic communication discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum Bengü Türk Up Feb 28, 2025 Türkiye-Africa Media Forum Emphasis on Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication Gelen Harberler Up Feb 28, 2025 Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication Discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum aksiyon.com.tr Up Feb 28, 2025 Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy Discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum Haberport Up Feb 28, 2025 Türkiye-Africa Media Forum: Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication 8Sutun Up Feb 28, 2025 Public diplomacy and strategic communication discussed at Türkiye-Africa Media Forum Anadolu Agency Up Feb 28, 2025 “Türkiye-Africa Media Forum” was held in Istanbul İletişim Başkanlığı Up Feb 24, 2025 A national dialogue must be people-centred for SA to thrive Mail & Guardian: Klaus Kotzé Up Feb 21, 2025 Is technology bad for social cohesion in SA? It seems so Times LIVE: Mpho Mcnamee Up Feb 19, 2025 Trump tariff fest poses a threat to SA exports Business Day: Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 19, 2025 Make plans to secure the US market because Trump tariffs will hurt Business Day: Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 14, 2025 2024 Social Cohesion Index eNCA The South African Morning: Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 13, 2025 Limpopo has more social cohesion levels than KZN - Research eNCA: Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 12, 2025 Citizens Corner: Social cohesion on the decline, how do we turn things around? SAfm The Talking Point: Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 12, 2025 Indeks meet Sosiale Kohesie in Suid-Afrika vandag NG Kerk in Oos-Kaapland: Danie Mouton Up Feb 12, 2025 Being proudly South African is powerful unifying force iTWeb: Serame Taukobong Up Feb 12, 2025 Insights from the 2024 SA social cohesion index Cape Times: Mpho Mcnamee Up Feb 12, 2025 Insights from the 2024 SA social cohesion index The Mercury: Mpho Mcnamee Up Feb 12, 2025 Our pride in being South African is the glue that holds us together Engineering News Up Feb 7, 2025 Cooperative government is key to a prosperous future for SA Daily Maverick: William Gumede Up Feb 7, 2025 Planning is vital to reduce climate 'transition shock' Farmer's Weekly SA: Annelie Coleman Up Feb 7, 2025 The South Africa Social Cohesion Index: Measuring the well-being of a society Polity Up Feb 7, 2025 Planning is vital to reduce climate 'transition shock' Farmer's Weekly: Annelie Coleman Up Feb 5, 2025 Keynote address by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the launch of the 2024 South African Social Cohesion Index (SASCI), Western Cape The Presidency Up Feb 5, 2025 Social Cohesion Index | 'Building the country together' - Paul Mashatile SABC News Up Feb 5, 2025 2024 Social Cohesion Index | 'SA compares favourably with countries like Germany': Daryl Swanepoel SABC News: Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 5, 2025 Launch of 2024 Social Cohesion Index Research SABC News: Keith Khoza Up Feb 4, 2025 Deputy President Mashatile to deliver keynote address at the launch of the 2024 Social Cohesion Index Research The Presidency Up Feb 4, 2025 The annual BPI lecture TimesLIVE Up Jan 30, 2025 With the GNU comes hope, a sense of fresh energy and new talent Daily Maverick: William Gumede Up Jan 26, 2025 AI will supercharge South African businesses City Press: Lars Gumede Up Jan 20, 2025 Forging a unique South African identity Mail & Guardian: William Gumede Up Jan 10, 2025 Strategies for a green economy in SA BusinessDay: William Gumede Up Jan 7, 2025 What we can learn from global public sector AI successes BusinessDay: Lars Gumede Up Up

Embracing a society that is built on social and national democratic values Public Policy Research & Analysis Democratic Education, Briefings, Seminars & Conferences Publications & Liberation Archive Portal Featured Activity Inclusive Society Institute releases the 2024 South African Social Cohesion Index Release of Report Our Latest Activities FINANCING AFRICA ON AFRICA’S TERMS: Rethinking development sovereignty in a shifting global order Release of Report Odile Bulten 7 days ago Reform UN80: Renewal or Decline? Panel Discussion Inclusive Society Institute Aug 25 Inclusive Society Institute attends Parliament's Social Services Cluster Briefing Government Engagement Daryl Swanepoel Aug 21 Up

Media Releases & Op-eds Aug 27, 2025 Press Release: Inclusive Society Institute on Malema hate speech ruling by Inclusive Society Institute Up Aug 27, 2025 Press Release: GovDem survey reveals rising distrust toward African immigrants in South Africa by Inclusive Society Institute Up Aug 22, 2025 Press Release: Inclusive Society Institute warns against inflated illegal immigration figures and unlawful vigilantism by Inclusive Society Institute Up Aug 21, 2025 Op-ed: The watchdogs of democracy: The vital role of South Africa's state institutions by Nicola Bergsteedt Up Aug 20, 2025 Op-ed: Africa's future must be funded by Africans by Odile Bulten & Daryl Swanepoel Up Aug 12, 2025 Op-ed: The National Dialogue is not about politicians talking. It is about people doing by Klaus Kotzé Up Jul 30, 2025 Op-ed: Navigating Africa's future in the face of shapeshifting global forces by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 30, 2025 Op-ed: Rebuilding trust: The imperative of the National Dialogue for South Africa's future by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 30, 2025 Op-ed: Africa, America and the East: In search of balance in a shifting world by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 25, 2025 Op-ed: Empowering small-scale fisheries for a sustainable and inclusive Blue/Oceans Economy in South Africa by Samantha Williams Up Jul 25, 2025 Op-ed: The National Dialogue: It cannot be business as usual - Social cohesion is key to South Africa's economic renewal by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 25, 2025 Op-ed: The National Dialogue: Solidarity is not just a moral ideal by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 22, 2025 Op-ed: Weaving a nation: Lessons from Singapore for South Africa's cohesion journey by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 17, 2025 Op-ed: A just global tax system - Balancing idealism and realism in the Developing World's fight for fairness by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 17, 2025 Op-ed: Rethinking leadership: A diplomatic reflection on US global primacy in a changing world by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 1, 2025 Press Release: A time for unity and collective action - Withdrawal from National Dialogue is counter-productive by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jun 22, 2025 Op-ed: Managing diversity in South Africa: Learning from the UAE experience by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 22, 2025 Press Release: Inclusive Society Institute CEO calls for just and inclusive global financial reform at the Think-Tank 20 (T20) Mid-Year Conference by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jun 18, 2025 Press Release: Political funding disclosure must match public support - Swanepoel by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jun 10, 2025 Op-ed: AI and social media: A double-edged sword that demands global responsibility by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 10, 2025 Press Release: Inclusive Society Institute welcomes World Bank Infrastructure Development Loan by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jun 6, 2025 Op-ed: Words that wound: "Kill the boer" is legal, but not wise for a fragile South Africa by Daryl Swanepoel Up May 30, 2025 Op-ed: Going for growth: Structural reforms needed for economic recovery by William Gumede Up May 21, 2025 Op-ed: G20 Human Rights Barometer: A red flag for global accountability by André Gaum & Daryl Swanepoel Up May 20, 2025 Op-ed: Going for growth: Structural reforms needed for economic recovery by William Gumede Up May 20, 2025 Op-ed: Economic resilience through strategic interventions by Jan van Heerden & Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 22, 2025 Op-ed: The Fragility of the Government of National Unity: A Critical Examination by Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 3, 2025 Press Release: South Africans express doubts about GNU's cooperation and effectiveness by Ipsos and Inclusive Society Institute Up Mar 24, 2025 Op-ed: The urgency of fair climate finance for developing nations by Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 12, 2025 Op-ed: No national dialogue if deferred by Klaus Kotzé Up Feb 12, 2025 Op-ed: Trump tariff fest threatens South African exports by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jan 21, 2025 Op-ed: A credo for a new South Africaness by William Gumede Up Dec 2, 2024 Op-ed: Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS countries by Daryl Swanepoel Up Nov 29, 2024 Op-ed: How cohesive is South African society? by Daryl Swanepoel Up Nov 29, 2024 Op-ed: South Africa's Social Cohesion Crisis by Daryl Swanepoel Up Nov 27, 2024 Media Release: Launch of the South African Social Cohesion Index (SASCI) at the Social Cohesion Roundtable hosted by the National Planning Commission at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, on 26 November 2024 by Inclusive Society Institute Up Oct 22, 2024 Op-ed: The Electoral Reform consultation panel call for public submissions by Daryl Swanepoel Up Oct 22, 2024 Op-ed: Strong enforcement needed to curb Human Rights abuses by André Gaum and Daryl Swanepoel Up Oct 2, 2024 Op-ed: The National Dialogue: Pathway to a people's plan for South Africa by Klause Kotzé Up Sep 12, 2024 Op-ed: Proposed Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Bill is flawed by Daryl Swanepoel Up Sep 12, 2024 Op-ed: Can South Africa learn from Finland's model for social cohesion by Nicola Bergsteedt and Daryl Swanepoel Up Aug 23, 2024 Op-ed: Government of National Unity met with positive response by Roelof Botha & Daryl Swanepoel Up Aug 22, 2024 Op-ed: South Africa’s national interest must be people-centred and pragmatic by Klaus Kotzé Up Jul 1, 2024 Op-ed: A new council for better global governance by Buyelwa Sonjica and Dr Klaus Kotzé Up Jul 1, 2024 Op-ed: Assessing institutional capacities to deliver in a changing world by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 25, 2024 Op-ed: Proposed Government of National Unity promises an exciting and inclusive future by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 24, 2024 Op-ed: South Africa is getting healthier? by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jun 3, 2024 Op-ed: South Africa is getting safer? by Daryl Swanepoel Up May 21, 2024 Op-ed: Voluntary Government of National Unity - an alternative to messy coalition government by Daryl Swanepoel Up May 21, 2024 Op-ed: China is an important African partner by Klaus Kotzé Up May 21, 2024 Op-ed: A constructive contribution to re-energize South Africa by Buyelwa Sonjica and Klaus Kotzé Up May 6, 2024 Op-ed: 2024 National Assembly Election: Two ballot papers - both of equal importance by Jørgen Elklit Up Apr 26, 2024 Op-ed: Developing an instrument to assess levels of social cohesion in SA by Klaus Boehnke and Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 17, 2024 Media Release: Scrapping of Gauteng e-Tolls welcomed, but defaulters still have to pay by Inclusive Society Institute Up Apr 16, 2024 Op-ed: The manifold challenges facing SA's Higher Education government policy by Dr Douglas Blackmur Up Apr 12, 2024 Op-ed: Voter registration mechanism needs to change by Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 12, 2024 Op-ed: Managing social cohesion in diverse communities by Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 3, 2024 Op-ed: Misrepresenting Polls Does Democracy A Disservice by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 25, 2024 Op-ed: UN summit of the future: On track to nowhere? by Nicola Bergsteedt and Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 11, 2024 Media Release: Mistrust in immigrants threatens social cohesion by Inclusive Society Institute Up Mar 5, 2024 Op- ed: A Critical Review of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill by Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 21, 2024 Op-ed: Embracing Flexicurity: Lessons from Denmark by Nicola Bergsteedt Up Feb 9, 2024 Op-ed: Navigating the complexities of coalition politics in South African municipalities by Nondumiso Sithole Up Feb 9, 2024 Op-ed: Growth drivers coming to the fore by Roelof Botha and Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 7, 2024 Op-ed: Coalitions: Lessons from Finland by Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 1, 2024 Media Release: Intent to emigrate remains disturbingly high by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jan 23, 2024 Op-ed: Who do we listen to? The human cost of war and its global impact by Buyelwa Sonjica Up Jan 16, 2024 Op-ed: Economic pandemic: Organised crime’s stranglehold on South Africa by Daryl Swanepoel Up Dec 14 , 2023 O p-ed: Leveraging Special Economic Zones for Growth by William Gumede Up Nov 29 , 2023 Op-ed: Many ethical hurdles to overcome in managing global population growth by Motsamai Molefe Up Nov 28 , 2023 Op-ed: Turnaround of construction sector is South African economy’s bellwether by Daryl Swanepoel Up Nov 20 , 2023 Op-ed: The United Nations must reform to represent the interests of the Global South by Klaus Kotzé Up Oct 18 , 2023 Op- ed: Reimagining Global Governance: A Call for Equitable and Resilient Systems by Daryl Swanepoel Up Oct 13 , 2023 Op-ed: Why Building Global Resilience Is the Best Investment We Can Make Now by Buyelwa Sonjica Up Oct 4 , 2023 Op- ed: Re-modeling the BRICS New Development Bank by William Gumede Up Sep 21 , 2023 Op- ed: Growth drivers coming to the fore by Roelof Botha & Daryl Swanepoel Up Sep 19 , 2023 Op- ed: The Progressive Realisation of Socio-economic Rights in South Africa: Albie Sachs' Pioneering Role by Nicola Jo Bergsteedt Up Aug 17 , 2023 Op-ed: Ensuring Administrative Justice for a Truly Inclusive Society by Inclusive Society Institute in collaboration with the Daily Maverick Up Jul 25 , 2023 Op-ed: The Vital Role of Participatory Democracy in Building a Just and Inclusive Society by Inclusive So ciety Institute in collaboration with the Daily Maverick Up Jul 12 , 2023 Op -ed: The global development and security initiatives: Safeguarding our global village by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 12 , 2023 Op -ed: Navigating China-Africa cooperation within a globally constrained environment by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 12 , 2023 Op -ed: New global trade and investment thinking by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jul 3 , 2023 Op -ed: Trust – the ‘glue’ that binds society together – is missing in SA by Daryl Swanepoel Up May 29 , 2023 Op-ed: Gender inequality - Men’s involvement in care: Contemplating the glass escalator by Nicole Daniels, Jodi Wishnia and Daryl Swanepoel Up May 22 , 2023 Op-ed: The personal is political: our families are blueprints for society by Jodi Wishnia and Daryl Swanepoel Up May 15 , 2023 Op-ed: Understanding gender inequality in caregiving and families by Nicole Daniels and Daryl Swanepoel Up May 9 , 2023 Me d ia Release: Intent to emigrate decreases but remains a risk Findings from the Inclusive Society Institute's GovDem Poll Up May 8 , 2023 Op-ed: Beyond Colonialism: Türkiye's Unique Approach to Africa by Daryl Swanepoel Up May 2 , 2023 Media Release: Mistrust in immigrants remains alarmingly high Findings from the Inclusive Society Institute's GovDem Poll Up Apr 25 , 2023 Med ia Release: An opposition coalition at the national level is highly unlikely Findings from the Inclusive Society Institute's GovDem Poll Up Apr 17 , 2023 Media Release: Comment on President Ramaphosa assents to the Electoral Amendment Bill by Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 13, 2023 Media Release: Writing off outstanding E-Tolls under the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 22, 2023 O p-e d: A strong democracy comes with a price tag – and it’s worth every cent by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 22, 2023 Op-e d: Social Cohesion: Getting Symbolism, Action and Rhetoric Right by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 8, 2023 M edia Release : Inclusive Society Institute calls on President Ramaphosa to consider constitutionality of Electoral Amendment Bill by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 3, 2023 Op-e d: Born free, but not fair: Solutions to tackle youth inequality and unemployment in South Africa - Considered solutions to closing the gap on youth inequality and unemployment by Beth Vale and Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 28, 2023 Op-e d: Born free, but not fair: 5 ways we can support SA’s teens to stay in school w ithout interventions along their life cycle, kids could well become the “disaffected youth” as early inequality gets compounded from birth, through school, and beyond. by Beth Vale and Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 20, 2023 Op-e d: Born free, but not fair: Setting the foundation for long-term learning and earning Interventions that support childhood development in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life have the potential to radically shift South Africa’s current inequality crisis. by Michelle Flowers and Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 16, 2023 Op-e d: Multi-Member Constituency model trumps Single Seat Constituency model by Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 14, 2023 Op-ed: Born free, but not fair by Nicole Daniels and Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 8, 2023 Op-ed: Coalitions must be built on trust and generosity by Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 8, 2023 Op-ed: Born free, but not fair: Understanding youth inequality Youth inequality accumulates over a life course, but there are critical moments where policy and programming can intervene to alleviate inequality and safeguard more just futures for young people by Beth Vale and Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 3, 2023 Op-ed: Sustainable population and possible standards of living by Anton Cartwright Up Feb 3, 2023 Op-ed: Automatic voter registration: removing the thorn in the side of SA’s democracy by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jan 23, 2023 Op-e d: African Philosophy and Social Justice: The inclusiveness and limitations of a continent’s political thought by Mutshidz Maraganedzha Up Jan 20, 2023 Op-e d: Rise civil society: A new year’s resolution by Klaus Kotzé Up Jan 13, 2023 Op-ed: End the Social Compact tug-of-war: Lessons from Denmark by Daryl Swanepoel Up Nov 9 , 2022 Op-Ed: Parliament persists in passing an unconstitutional Electoral Amendment bill by Inclusive Society Institute Up Nov 2 , 2022 Op-Ed: Democratising the United Nations by Inclusive Society Institute Up Oct 27 , 2022 Op-Ed: A people-driven state is required for national renewal by Inclusive Society Institute Up Oct 24 , 2022 Op-Ed: Contractionary fiscal consolidation versus expansionary stimulus implications for growth, employment and debt by Inclusive Society Institute Up Oct 16 , 2022 Op-Ed: The world is on shaky ground, with South Africa no different by Inclusive Society Institute Up Oct 12 , 2022 Op-Ed: UN Security Council Reform - A New Approach to Reconstructing the International Order by Inclusive Society Institute Up Oct 06 , 2022 Op-Ed: The need for an evidence-based response to addressing Xenophobia in SA. The importance of addressing the real drivers of Xenophobia and Xenophobic vilolence. by Inclusive Society Institute Up Sep 15, 2022 Op-Ed: SA must pull up its socks or tourism rebound may be short-lived by Inclusive Society Institute Up Sep 08, 2022 Op-Ed: Challenges and solutions for local economic development in the City of Ekurhuleni by Inclusive Society Institute Up Sep 05, 2022 Op-Ed: Climate change adaptation and resilience: An analysis of some Global and National Measures by Inclusive Society Institute Up Aug 29, 2022 Media Release: Proposals to remedy current deficiencies in the proposed NHI bill by Inclusive Society Institute Up Aug 23, 2022 Op-Ed: Grease the gears so the economic wheels can turn by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jul 27, 2022 Op-Ed: As long as we keep failing our youth, the cycle of inequality will remain unbroken by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jul 21, 2022 Media Release: Trust deficit between civil society and SAPS is flaming lawlessness in South Africa by Inclusive Society Institute Up Jul 05, 2022 Op-Ed: Challenges and opportunities to enhance social mobilisation to combat corruption by Prof Evangelos Mantzaris Up Jun 28, 2022 Op-Ed: Towards a national commitment by Dr Klaus Kotzé Up May 26, 2022 Op-Ed: Social Cohesion: Taking stock of South Africa’s socio-political strategy by Dr Klaus Kotzé Up May 26, 2022 Op-Ed: Get the basics right to reboot growth by Daryl Swanepoel Up May 11, 2022 Op-Ed: The preconditions for a South African welfare state by Dr Klaus Kotzé Up Apr 11, 2022 Op-Ed: Leveraging ideas of hope to reduce inequality in South Africa by Anja Smith, Jodi Wishnia, Carmen Christian and Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 11, 2022 Op-Ed: The Russia-Ukraine conflict: Impact on South Africa, fellow BRICS members and Africa by William Gumede Up Apr 07, 2022 Op-Ed: The establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Agency for South Africa by Daryl Swanepoel Up Apr 06, 2022 Op-Ed: Rejuvenating South Africa's economy - a labour sector perspective by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 28, 2022 Op-Ed: Efficient logistics needed to keep agri-exports on the right track by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 14, 2022 Op-Ed: Back to basics to better economy - Getting fundamentals right will reverse economic woes by Daryl Swanepoel Up Mar 10, 2022 Op-Ed: Crisis in Europe highlights critical importance of self-sufficient, secure and stable energy production by Daryl Swanepoel Up Feb 16, 2022 Social Democracy: A pathway for South Africa's development by Dr Klause Kotzé Up Feb 03, 2022 WEF Global Risks Report 2022 suggests it cannot be business as usual Up Feb 02, 2022 Preventing corruption is the key by Willie Hofmeyr Up Jan 31, 2022 South Africa investing in the ICT sector is a no-brainer by Daryl Swanepoel Up Jan 28, 2022 The effects of corruption by Prof Pregala Solosh Pillay Up Jan 17, 2022 Anti-corruption agencies need to be nurtured by Prof Andrew Spalding Up Jan 13, 2022 Different types of anti-corruption agencies by Drago Kos Up Jan 12, 2022 Construction sector: A friend in need is a friend indeed. Let the private sector help Up Dec 7, 2021 Rejuvenating South Africa's economy - a retail sector perspective Up Dec 3, 2021 Speech delivered by Vusi Khanyile, Chairperson of the Inclusive Society Institute, to the Integritasza Conference, Wellington, South Africa Up Nov 11, 2021 ISI meets Deputy Minister of Finance - Present NHI and Inequality research outcomes Up Nov 8, 2021 Op-Ed: Rejuvenating South Africa's economy - A SMME sector perspective Up Nov 8, 2021 Op-Ed: South Africa needs an urgent national security and intelligence assessment Up Nov 2, 2021 ANC support dips, but it is still best placed to win local government election Up Nov 2, 2021 Op-Ed: SA's Jekyll and Hyde economy has investors second guessing Up Sep 16, 2021 Op-Ed: Would you choose NHI as our universal health care scheme if you knew the costs twenty years from now? Up Sep 15, 2021 Op-Ed: Local government challenges: How far have we come? Up Sep 8, 2021 Op-Ed: South African courts: Are they guilty of judicial overreach or merely upholding the rule of law? Up Sep 6, 2021 Op-Ed: Assessing crime intelligence in South Africa Up Aug 27, 2021 Op-Ed: Rebuilding US-Africa relations under the Biden administration and its nexus with China Up Aug 26, 2021 Achieving wellbeing equa lity for South Africans: a dream that shouldn’t be deferred by the Inclusive Society Institute Up Aug 13, 2021 Op-Ed: Reviving factories can fire up a much-needed growth engine Up Aug 11, 2021 South Africa's developmental model: The significance of state-owned enterprises Up Jun 23, 2021 Challenging climate change: The transition to a sustainable economy Up Jun 10, 2021 No quick fixes for SA's woes but glimmer of hope on the horizon Up May 31, 2021 Restoring faith in South Africa key to rejuvenating the economy Up May 5, 2021 Survey suggests voter support for party system in SA Up Apr 8, 2021 ISI presents electoral system proposals to IEC Up Mar 16, 2021 COVID-19: Severe blow to long-term employment prospects Up Jan 28, 2021 Speech by Daryl Swanepoel, CEO, Inclusive Society Institute, South Africa: International Conference on Poverty Alleviation: China's rationale, Beijing, China Up Jan 25, 2021 Op-Ed: Slowing the population growth is vital for South Africa's economic recovery Up Dec 11, 2020 Op-Ed: The US-China-Africa nexus under a Biden administration Up Dec 11, 2020 Op-Ed: ISI Annual Lecture with Justice Albie Sachs Prosperity through inclusivity Up Aug 13, 2020 Op-Ed: South African and the 12th summit of BRICS Up Aug 12, 2020 Op-Ed: Universal Health Coverage pathways for South Africa Areas of misalignment between stakeholders on the NHI Bill require further engagement Up Aug 11, 2020 Universal Health Coverage pathways for South Africa Areas of misalignment between stakeholders on the NHI Bill require further engagement Up Aug 3, 2020 Op-Ed: COVID-19 US-China discord and its impact on Sino-South African relations Up Jul 21, 2020 LGBT+ survey findings Survey on everyday experience of the LGBT+ communicy finds inequality and discrimination still rife, and mental health potentially a crisis in the making Up Jul 14, 2020 National health insurance Bill Parliament's Portfolio Committee would be well-advised first to obtain legal clarity on constitutionality Up May 20, 2020 COVID-19 ANC members and supporters show overwhelming support for government measures and ANC leadership, but are concerned about the future of the economy Up Apr 17, 2020 COVID-19 Survey: COVID-19 and its impact on the SMME sector Up Up