Search

On Saturday, 6 June 2020, the Inclusive Society Institute of South Africa (ISI) and The Houde Institute of China entered into a cooperation agreement. The agreement enjoins the two parties to undertake joint research, and to hold academic symposia, seminars and conferences training programmes for future diplomats, scholars and future leaders of international organisations and NGOs. The signing ceremony took place via videoconferencing. The ISI was represented by its Acting Chairperson, Prof Zweli Ndevu and its CEO, Daryl Swanepoel. The Houde Institute was represented by its President, Ms Wang Hongjuan, Liu Yu, Deputy Secretary of The Houde Institute, as well as board members Fu Chengyu, and Ambassador Su Ge. A number of other senior delegates from both sides also attended the ceremony to witness the signing of the agreement, including, amongst others, Dr Miao Ji, Senior Research Fellow of the Houde Institute and Wei Dongze, Secretary General of the South Africa China Economic & trade Association. A number of potential areas for research cooperation were identified, including in the field of renewable energy policy, trade coordination and international cooperation in BRICS, the BRI and FOCAC. The two organisations are planning to meet face-to-face once the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted. At that meeting joint projects and themes will be designed and launched. In the interim the two parties will initiate projects on an ad hoc basis. Read People's Daily Article

Expert panel appointed to contemplate a new electoral system for South Africa In the light of the recent Constitutional Court judgement declaring the current Electoral Act invalid, the Inclusive Society Institute has embarked on a process to design potential new electoral models for South Africa. Whilst not rigid in its thinking, the institute has mandated its research panel to design electoral models that respects the findings of the judgement, the boundaries set out in the Constitution, retains proportionality as a basis for representation and which, given the institutes driving philosophy, promotes inclusivity.​ The institute has appointed an expert panel to undertake the work. They are:

The Inclusive Society Institute’s expert panel looking into electoral reform in South Africa met on 3 August 2020 to further elaborate on the boundaries of the research to be undertaken in the development of a new electoral model for South Africa. ​The necessity to develop a new electoral model has been spurred by the recent Constitutional Court judgement declaring the current electoral model invalid. It has given the legislature two years to introduce new legislation that will enable independent candidates to stand for election in the national and provincial spheres of government. ​At its 3 August meeting the panel decided to extend its work beyond the mere development of a technical model that would accommodate the requirement for independent candidates to stand for election. It would also use this window to come up with proposals as how to address the limitations of the current electoral model. The panel would for example consider systems that improve accountability to the voters by elected representatives, the improvement of oversight over the executive and the promotion of meaningful and inclusive demographic representivity within the legislatures. ​Whilst not discarding an eventuality that may require some form of constitutional amendment, the preferred option of the panel to date, is to restrict its design to fit within the current boundaries of the Constitution and prescripts of the Constitutional Court judgement. That is, the retention of an electoral system that results, in general, in proportional representation, together with mechanisms providing for independent candidates to stand for election at all three spheres of government. ​In its next phase of deliberations, the panel will consider the current applicability of the outcomes contained in the 2003 Van Zyl Slabbert Commission into electoral reform. It will also be receiving presentations on electoral models in other jurisdictions that combine proportionality with the right of independent candidates to stand for election.

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) is busy developing a new growth centred economic blueprint for South Africa. The project comprises a number of phases, the first of which is to study several economies from historically distressed jurisdictions that have successfully turned themselves into winning nations. In this second panel discussion, the focus was on South Korea. South Korea was one of the poorest nations on earth in the late fifties/early sixties, whereas today it is, globally, the 11th largest economy by GDP. The crux of South Korea’s success story is captured in its ‘Can do’ attitude, a healthy work ethic, and the mobilisation of the nation behind its economic plan. The ‘Can do’ and work ethics, based on the New Village Movement philosophy, is inculcated in the national psyche from primary school days already. Other unique approaches include a higher emphasis on rural development, where the rural GDP per capita outperforms the urban GDP per capita; a high focus on innovation and human development; less reliance on FDI and greater emphasis in internal savings; and a state that works in partnership with business and civil society. Whilst great emphasis is placed on human development and ensuring sufficient societal safety nets, assistance by the state in the development of enterprises is primarily based on performance as opposed to universal handouts. South Korea’s Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Jong-Dae Park, an economist by trade and author of the book Re-inventing Africa’s Development, was the keynote presenter. South African panellists included Prof Tania Ajam from the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University and a member of the President’s Economic Advisory Council, Mr Theo Vorster (the lead panellist), also an economist and CEO of Galileo Capital, and Ms Joan Fubbs, director of the Centre for Education in Economics and Finance and former chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on trade and industry. The programme was directed by Mr Daryl Swanepoel, the ISI’s CEO, who in setting the scene for the discussion, suggested that the depressed state of the South African economy obligated policymakers to take decisive action, and to make the structural reforms necessary to ensure growth in the economy. He argued in favour of developing a blended economy, with less reliance on dogmatic ideology and a greater emphasis on implementing policy that provides solutions to the twin challenges of ensuring economic growth, whilst addressing income inequality (poverty alleviation). The ISI is of the opinion that imaginative, out of the box thinking is now required more than ever. In guiding the institute’s dialogue and policy development, few parameters will be set, but the outcomes are conditioned on two pre-requisites: that the economy be demographically transformed, that is to be made more equal and inclusive, and that it provide sufficient opportunity, safety-nets and cross-subsidiarity to ensure dignity for the poor.

The Inclusive Society Institute has commissioned research aimed at developing an economic blueprint for South Africa that will be capable of catapulting the country out of its current downward trajectory, whilst simultaneously transforming it to address inequality, to mainstream the informal sector and to become more demographically inclusive. The research is being done against the backdrop of the economy remaining stubbornly sluggish. Without factoring in the impact of COVID-19, GDP growth is estimated to be less than one per cent, debt to GDP has risen to over 65 percent, and unemployment stands at a record high of 30 percent (narrow definition), or around 40% (expanded definition). The impact of the COVID-19 measures could see a GDP contraction of between 6 and 7 per cent. Imaginative thinking is required. It is the institutes view that the current neo-liberal economic model is not, on its own and within the South African context, delivering the desired results. Inequality, unemployment, and poverty continues to grow. It believes that the introduction of social democratic developmental programmes could contribute to addressing the lingering backlogs. By blending these policies with the current regime will deliver a mixed economy more capable of achieving fairness and economic justice within an inclusive growth centred economy, more capable of bringing about demographic transformation and the provision of the safety-nets and cross-subsidiarity needed to ensure dignity for the poor. As part of the first phase of the project, a panel discussion was hosted by the institute on Thursday, 20 August 2020, via ZOOM. The objective of the seminar was to examine Germanys post-WW2 economic development, so as to consider whether there are any lessons that South Africa can draw on from the path Germany chose. And to consider the applicability of that path within South African context and the modern global architecture. The keynote presentation was made by Prof Klaus Boehnke, who is associated with the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences, Jacobs University. The title of his presentation was “Social Cohesion – a pathway to citizen’s well-being and economic prosperity? The case of Germany and the OECD world.” Social Cohesion played an enormous role in Germany’s Konzertierte Aktion (Concerted Action), the purpose of which was to through the Stability and Growth Act coordinate behaviour between the political authorities responsible for macro-economic stability on the one hand and the trade unions, business and civil society on the other, which aimed at averting macroeconomic disturbances. In recognising social cohesion as the glue that binds society together and the importance thereof for economic justice, stability and growth, the German authorities continue to prioritise efforts in this regard. Other panellists included: Mr Theo Vorster, a well-known economist, TV personality and the Chief Executive Officer at Galileo Capital. He is facilitating the Inclusive Society Institute’s economic project. Professor Tania Ajam, who is associated with the School for Public Leadership at the University of Stellenbosch. She is also a member of the President’s Economic Advisory Council Ms Joan Fubbs, Director of the Centre for Education in Economics and Finance (CEEF). She was also the former longstanding chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee for trade and industry. Professor Zweli Ndevu, the institute’s Deputy Chairperson. He is the head of the School for Public Leadership at the University of Stellenbosch. The event was broadcast live via YouTube to invited guests from business, civil society and the ranks post-graduate students. Prof Dr Klaus Boehnke

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) held its annual general meeting on Saturday, 3 October 2020. At the meeting, the institute carried out the normal business of the AGM as prescribed in its constitution. This included the approval of its annual report and financial statements. During the AGM, members of the institute elected its first advisory council, which is made up of individuals who have served with distinction the democratic emancipation and education of the South African people, or who have excelled in the fields of politics, public policy and economic development, or who, by their achievements, guarantee that they will act fully in line with the institute’s objectives. Members of the advisory council are: Professor Firoz Chachalia Professor David Masoma Dr Brigalia Bam Mr Roelf Meyer Ms Sue van der Merwe Ms Byyelwa Sonjica Ms Khanyisile Kewyama Ms Joanmarie Fubbs

Justice Albie Sachs

The Ninth Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum took place on 5 and 6 November 2020. The Inclusive Society Institute’s CEO, Daryl Swanepoel, was invited to attend and speak at the event. The opening ceremony on 5 November, moderated by Li Xinfeng, Executive President of the China-Africa Institute, had a range of high-level speakers, including Deng Li, the Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Joaquim Alberto Chissano, African Chairman of the International Advisory Committee, China-Africa Institute, and former President of Mozambique. Cai Fang, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Martin Mpana, Head of the Diplomatic Mission to China, and Cameroon’s Ambassador to China also spoke. The opening session was followed by a plenary session called to discuss, both retro- and prospectively, the 20th anniversary of the founding of FOCAC. Four parallel panel discussions took place on the 6th of November. Panel 1 discussed China-Africa Solidarity against the COVID-19 Pandemic and Public Health Security, panel 2 discussed the “Belt and Road” and the construction of the African continental free trade area, panel 3 discussed China-Africa Cooperation on climate change, and panel 4 cooperation on poverty reduction. Mr Swanepoel spoke to the paper he developed on the need for greater coordination between the various geo-political and geo-economic initiative s being carried out simultaneously. He argued that the better coordination between the various initiatives and the streamlining of their programmes would enhance greater efficiency

The Board and Advisory Council of the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) attended a ‘Theories of Change’ workshop on Saturday, 21 November 2020. The workshop was led Prof. Fraser, a director of the Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results at the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand. The objective of the workshop was to evaluate the institute’s current strategies with the aim to effectively position itself in order to achieve its goals and aspirations. The ISI is resolute in contributing towards the establishment of an inclusive society, in which the aspirations of all who live in it, can proudly celebrate their South Africanism. This requires: The development of policies and programmes aimed at mainstreaming the historically disadvantaged, women and youth The embracing of diversity and inclusion, that is building a society that works for all Re-emphasising the true meaning of democratic freedoms, namely that with freedom comes responsibility The development of a just and fair economy which provides equal opportunity Promoting a common South African identity by advancing unity, nation building and reconciliation

When the Biden administration assumes office on 20 January 2021, Africa hopes to exit the awkward diplomatic state of affairs presented by the current Trump administration’s laissez faire, even disparaging, attitude towards the continent, and the conundrum caused by the US – China squabble over the coronavirus and trade. It hopes for a reset of relations to those pre-2017. What do analysts expect? This question formed the basis of the dialogue arranged by the Inclusive Society Institute. Making contributions to the discussions were: Professor John Stremlau, Honorary Professor, Department of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand Dr Bob Weseka, Coordinator: African Centre for the Study of the US, University of the Witwatersrand Ambassador Gert Grobler, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies, Zheijiang Normal University Daryl Swanepoel, Chief Executive Officer of the Inclusive Society Institute The dialogue concluded that: ​The competition between the two major powers, that is China and the United States, is not going to go away. Africa has, in the last decades, enjoyed good relationships with both the United States and China, albeit on distinctly parallel tracks. This has greatly aided economic growth and stability on the African continent, whilst simultaneously advancing global development and sustainability. The relationship with China has, in the last four years continued to blossom; with the United States it has, however, in large measure, paused. The approaching Biden administration presents a unique opportunity, not only for the US to revive and bolster its relationship with Africa, but for it to also take a fresh approach in its engagement with the continent. In recommitting the US to multilateralism, the potential exists for the US to reposition itself as both competitor and collaborator, thereby enabling themselves to acquire their fair share of the opportunities that abound in Africa. Such competition would bode well for the continent. The real question is how Africa is going to respond as a collective to the Biden administration. They need to act in a comprehensive and cohesive manner, by developing an African position as regards its expectations from the new US regime. In developing that response, it will have to look at what is in its interest. It should avoid falling into the trap of, in a sense, reliving the cold war, by choosing sides. Africa will have to put its terms on the table and find a way to constructively work with both sides in a manner that best serves its interests. In relation to the question on how Africa is going to respond as a collective, the institute intends hosting a think tank of thought leaders early in the new year to flesh out proposals for public policymakers to consider.

The Inclusive Society Institute’s expert panel looking into electoral reform in South Africa met on 25 August 2020 to further elaborate on the design of a new electoral model for South Africa. The necessity to develop a new electoral model has been spurred by the recent Constitutional Court judgement declaring the current electoral model invalid. It has given the legislature two years to introduce new legislation that will enable independent candidates to stand for election in the national and provincial spheres of government. Discussions have to date focussed on garnering a clear understanding as the prescripts of the Constitutional Court’s judgement and the electoral boundaries set by the Constitution. At this meeting of the panel presentations were made by experts on electoral models in several jurisdictions that employ proportional representation electoral systems that also provide for the participation of independent candidates. Presentation were made by: Professor emeritus Jørgen Elklit, Aarhus University, Denmark on the findings of the Van Zyl Slabbert Commission on Electoral Reform in South Africa and the Danish model. Professor Michael Krennerich, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, on the German electoral system. Professor Ignacio Lago Peñas, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelo, on the Spanish electoral system. Professor Dave Farrell, University College Dublin on the Irish PR/STV system In its next phase of deliberations, the panel will start to conceptualise unique South African models that will give effect to the ruling of the judgement.

The Inclusive Society Institute’s expert panel looking into electoral reform in South Africa met on 9 September 2020 to further elaborate on the design of a new electoral model for South Africa. The necessity to develop a new electoral model has been spurred by the recent Constitutional Court judgement declaring the current electoral model invalid. It has given the legislature two years to introduce new legislation that will enable independent candidates to stand for election in the national and provincial spheres of government. Discussions have to date focused on garnering a clear understanding as the prescripts of the Constitutional Court’s judgement and the electoral boundaries set by the Constitution. Presentations were made by experts on electoral models in several jurisdictions that employ proportional representation electoral systems that also provide for the participation of independent candidates. In this meeting, the panel started to conceptualise unique South African electoral systems that will be capable of giving effect to the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

The Inclusive Society Institute’s expert panel looking into electoral reform in South Africa met on 28 September 2020 to further elaborate on the design of a new electoral model for South Africa. The necessity to develop a new electoral model has been spurred by the recent Constitutional Court judgement declaring the current electoral model invalid. It has given the legislature two years to introduce new legislation that will enable independent candidates to stand for election in the national and provincial spheres of government. ​Discussions have to date focussed on garnering a clear understanding as the prescripts of the Constitutional Court’s judgement and the electoral boundaries set by the Constitution. Presentations were made by experts on electoral models in several jurisdictions that employ proportional representation electoral systems that also provide for the participation of independent candidates. In this meeting, the panel further discussed the conceptualisation of a unique South African electoral system.

The 6th meeting of the Inclusive Society Institute’s expert panel on electoral reform met on Monday afternoon, 16 November 2020. In previous meetings, the panel considered presentations by international experts on proportional representation electoral models abroad, and proposals by panellists on potential electoral models for South Africa. Sufficient agreement was reached for the institute to move forward with a modelling exercise. Meetings of the panel were paused to allow for the modelling to be completed. With the exercise completed, the panel was reconvened to consider its outcome. The meeting received a presentation on the outcome, and discussed outstanding elements identified at previous meetings and as a result of the exercise. In moving towards closure, the panel will, at its next meeting, consider recommendations to be made to policymakers on the institute’s proposed way forward with regard to the most appropriate electoral system for South Africa. The model to be proposed by the institute aims to give effect to the Constitutional Court’s judgement requiring the Electoral Act to be amended in order to allow for independent candidates to participate in national and provincial elections, and, which will, simultaneously help in strengthening the country’s democratic dispensation.

The 7th panel discussion of the Inclusive Society Institute’s (ISI) expert panel on electoral reform met on Monday, 7 December 2020, to give their final inputs into the draft report which will contain their proposals for a new electoral system in South Africa. Parliament is compelled to consider a new system that will allow for independent candidates to stand for election in national and provincial elections. ​The Constitutional Court earlier this year declared the current Electoral Act unconstitutional in that it only allows for political parties to make themselves available for election at national and provincial election. The ISI aims to complete the report ready for publication in early January. It will thereafter embark on a campaign to promote its position to the public and public policymakers. The institute aims to also fully participate in the parliamentary processes to follow to deliberate a new electoral model

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) hosted a Financial Sector dialogue as part of its ongoing research aimed at developing an economic blueprint for growing the South African economy. The ISI will be hosting a series of dialogues with various sectors over the coming months. Each dialogue will comprise two parts. Part 1 is aimed at getting a deeper understanding as to the sector’s take on what, in terms of the current global economic architecture, the country is not doing right and how to fix it, whilst part 2 will focus of generating new ideas capable of lifting the economy’s growth trajectory. The dialogue was attended by representative drawn from the banking, insurance, accounting & advisory, and the financial analysis fraternity. It was also attended by Wolfgang Fengler, the lead economist for Southern Africa, from the World Bank, and Arthur Minsat, the head of the Africa and Middle East Unit of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Buyelwa Sonjica Khanyisile Kweyama Chairperson Deputy Chairperson The Advisory Council of the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) met on Saturday, 13 March 2021, for purposes of electing its Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and to help chart the research work for the next financial year of the institute. The Advisory Council elected Ms Buyelwa Sonjica as its Chairperson and Ms Khanyisile Kweyame as its Deputy Chairperson. The work of the institute will be driven in line with the working approach that the Board, as formulated by its Chairperson, Mr Vusi Khanyile. He defined an inclusive society as one in which people who are at risk of poverty or any other forms of exclusion, are able to gain access to the resources and opportunities that they need to fully participate in the social, economic and cultural life of the nation. The key issue to note, he said, was that people don’t just wake one day and decide that have access to resources and opportunity. An inclusive society requires deliberate policies and practices to ensure that people have the access that they require, and wherein both the state and the market recognise and play their respective complimentary roles. Key sectors that the institute will be focussing on include, amongst others, the economy, health, local government, women empowerment and social cohesion.

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) hosted a second round of dialogue with the Financial Sector as part of its ongoing research aimed at developing an economic blueprint for growing the South African economy. Whilst round one focussed on what is going wrong in the economy, and how to fix it, round two focussed on generating new ideas. Out of the box thinking that would help catapult the economy onto a higher growth trajectory. The dialogue was attended by representative drawn from the banking, insurance, accounting & advisory, and the financial analysis fraternity. It was also attended by representatives of the World Bank, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A number of innovative ideas were generated during the discussion. They included, amongst others, programmes aimed at pooling private sector resources into a private sector driven and managed bursary scheme specifically geared to deliver the skill set required to grow the economy, and the use of the presidential database of experts (e.g., engineers, accountants, etcetera) to provide, in an effort to reverse the decline in services, support to local municipalities by providing the necessary capabilities. New ideas were also generated with regard to reducing bureaucratic red-tape, and the easing of doing business. New concepts were also raised with regard to South Africa meeting its climate change obligation, how to improve the special economic zones regime, and technology and ICT roll out. Strong opinions, together with new ideas, were also raised with regard to the need for social cohesion and an active citizenry that is crucial to underpin economic growth and stability. The report capturing the discussion is expected to be completed by the end of April.

CASAC: Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution The ISI’s Chief Executive Officer, Daryl Swanepoel, and the Convenor of the panel of experts assembled by the institute to consider electoral reform in South Africa, Roelf Meyer, on Wednesday afternoon, 24 March 2021, presented the panel’s proposals for electoral reform to CASAC. The presentation formed part of the ISI’s campaign to promote electoral reform in South Africa that would give effect to the Constitutional Court’s judgement declaring the current Electoral Act as unconstitutional. The Court granted Parliament two years in which to amend the Electoral Act to grant independent candidates the right to make themselves available for election to the national and provincial legislatures. To view the ISI’s report on electoral reform, click HERE

The President of the Republic of South Africa, HE Cyril Ramaphosa, in his State of the Nation address in February 2021, announced government’s intention to establish a National Anti-Corruption Agency for South Africa. The agency will report directly to Parliament. The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) will be undertaking research into the potential desirability, functioning and structuring of such an agency within the South African context. The research will, in the search for best practice, explore international examples and their levels of success. It will look at the theory behind such institutions, their models and practical implementation, in order to translate it into workable solutions and actions within the South African context. The ISI intends to execute the research in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch’s School for Public Leadership, to which end a scoping workshop was held on 24 March 2021 between representatives of the university and the ISI.