The CEO of the Inclusive Society Institute, Daryl Swanepoel, joined a South African delegation led by ANC Treasurer General, Paul Mashatile, who visited Germany during the week of 14 – 18 October 2019. In the course of the week, they met with several prominent leaders of the German Social Democratic Party (SDP), civil society and government. The objective of the visit was to build solidarity amongst the progressive social democratic forces in Germany. The ANC has a longstanding sister-party relationship with the SDP which dates back to long before South Africa’s democracy, which dawned in 1994. The delegation participated in wide-ranging series of meetings, which included, inter alia, engagements with Michelle Müntefering, Minister of State in the German Federal Foreign Office, Thomas Oppermann, Vice President of the German Federal Parliament, Dr Nils Schmid, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the German Federal Parliament and Christoph Matschie, a member of the same committee. The delegation also met with MP’s Dagmar Freitag and Ulla Schmidt. The delegation also paid a visit to Willie Brandt House, the headquarters of the SDP. There they met with, amongst others, Konstantin Woinoff, the International Secretary of the party, Klaus Tovar, Director of the Party School and Andreas Schlotmann, SDP Treasurer General’s Office. The recurring theme of the week’s discussion was that the international progressive and social democratic forces needed to strengthen their cooperation through focused activities aimed at advancing the programme of social justice and equality. Michelle Müntefering, for example, argued that dialogue and better coordination was important to bolster progressive values internationally, including within the multi-lateral institutions such as the United Nations. There were a number of global tasks that required urgent attention. One such task was to break down the current tendency of dividing communities and the building of walls between groups in society. This could be done by fostering the multiracialism belief of the progressive forces at a global level. To achieve this, channels of communication between progressive governments and parties needed to be strengthened, and mechanisms needed to be designed to involve broader society. Meeting with Michelle Muntefering, Minister of State, German Federal Foreign Office Meeting with Thomas Opperman MP (third from left), Vice President of the German Federal Parliament Meeting with German SDP MP’s Dagmar Freitag (left, second from front) and Ulla Schmidt (front left)

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 8 August 2019, with a subsequent call for public comment, which expired on 29 November 2019. With the deadline now past, the Inclusive Society Institute deemed it appropriate to host a roundtable dialogue with the critical organisations representing the workers, business and health sector fraternity. The objective of the exercise was to determine the areas of agreement, areas of disagreement, and where such disagreement existed, to seek pathways to reach consensus. Since all the participating organisations had already submitted their comments to parliament, the outcome of these deliberations form a holistic representation as to what can be expected in the parliamentary processes to follow. Participants in the roundtable included representatives form COSATU, BUSA, the ANC NEC subcommittee on Education and Health, government, private hospitals and medical aids, independent practitioner organisations, health accreditation services, the pharmaceutical and medical equipment supply industry, and the South African National Blood Service. The combined input of these participants, the institute is of the opinion, will fairly represent the views and issues to be raised in the public hearing processes to be scheduled by the parliamentary portfolio committee on health. As a general departure point, it can safely be expected that general support will be given to the goals and objectives of the NHI Bill, that is the financing of universal coverage of affordable and accessible quality health care. There was general recognition that the current healthcare system is defective, with inefficiencies in both a public and private sector; and that the introduction of legislation to address the problems was therefore to be welcomed. There was general consensus that the private sector needed to be crowded in, not pushed out, that government and the private sector needed to work together by combining their respective expertise in order to improve the overall healthcare system of the country, and that, in rolling out the NHI, communication between all role-players needed to be improved to ensure an inclusive consultation process. The main contentious issues that were identified and that required further deliberation during the public hearing process, included the role of medical schemes, the role of provinces, capabilities of the State to manage the NHI fund, and the accompanying governance structures, and how private hospitals will link into the public system. Concerns were also expressed as to the schemes financial sustainability, especially given the constrained economic environment the country finds itself in. It is section 33 of the Bill which will require the most urgent and comprehensive consultations, with delegates being of the opinion that compromise was required to avoid confrontation. It would, in their opinion, have severe consequences for not only the private medical aids, but so too the whole of the private healthcare system, the loss of cross-subsidisation benefitting the public healthcare system, and negative impact on investment sentiment. The rationality of its insertion was questioned, especially considering its radical departure from the 2018 policies. As presented, section 33, delegates suspected, could also give rise to questions of constitutionality. A comprehensive report on the roundtable is scheduled for publication towards the end of January 2020.

In concluding his week-long outreach programme to the Netherlands and France, the Chief Executive officer of the ISI, Daryl Swanepoel, signalled that the institute was to work with a number of organisations in the two countries to advance its values of democracy, good governance and inclusive public policy. The ISI met with a range of organisations in The Hague and Amsterdam and Paris. Netherlands In this leg of the visit the institute reached out to likeminded social democratic foundations, curators of social history archives and the former Dutch anti-apartheid activists. Significant synergies were discovered in the policy work of the ISI and that of the various organisations that were approached. The Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy, the Max van der Stoel Foundation and the Wiardi Beckman Foundation all share the ISI’s objective not only to strengthen democracy in a citizen-centred manner, but also to create a greater sense of inclusion in public policy. The ISI also agreed to work with the International Institute of Social History (ISH), which is based in Amsterdam. The ISH hosts extensive archival material on the anti-apartheid movement of the Netherlands (and other countries). It was agreed that access would be given to the ISI to link this material to the liberation archives portal of the ISI. Further areas of cooperation in archiving historic material of the broader liberation struggle will be explored. The CEO of the ISI also met with the African Studies Centre based at the University of Leiden. Here too, an enormous amount of synergy existed that could be tapped into. It was agreed that joint public policy research projects could be explored, and mechanisms would be developed to link the extensive library and archives of the African Studies Centre to the ISI’s ‘Liberation Archives’ portal. A discussion was also held with Bart Luirink, Kier Schuringa and Jan-Bart Gewald, prominent former anti-apartheid activists. There exists a sense that the linkages between the former Dutch anti-apartheid movement activists and South Africa has weakened over years, and that a concerted efforts was needed to revive and strengthen this South African conduit into Dutch society. This is a project that the ISI will take to heart. France In Paris the ISI met with both the Fondation Jean-Jaures, which is aligned with the Socialist Party of France, and the Institut Montaigne, a prominent independent public policy think tank. Given France’s heightened interest under President Emmanuel Macron in African public and developmental policy, there was an ardent interest to explore joint projects that the ISI could undertake with these foundations. Initial areas of interest included topics such as gender-based violence, gaining a deeper understanding of inequality in order to pursue greater inclusivity in the economy, and climate change. The CEO of the Inclusive Society Institute, Daryl Swanepoel, seen here with the Head of Knowledge and Innovation at the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, Wouter Dol. The CEO of the Inclusive Society Institute, Daryl Swanepoel, handing over the ANC publication “Unity in Diversity: A 100 years of ANC leadership” to Prof. Jan-Bart Gewald, Director of the African Studies Centre, University of Leiden The CEO of the Inclusive Society Institute, Daryl Swanepoel, with Klara Boonstra, CEO of the Wiardi Beckman Foundation

In a social cohesion roundtable meeting on the role and place of the Afrikaans-speaking community in South Africa, held on Tuesday, 11 February 2020 at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town, it was agreed that the Inclusive Society Institute will implement a sustainable programme to keep social cohesion high on the agenda. This would include the design of an action plan aimed at marshalling the decisions taken in the programme onto the country’s policy-making agenda. The roundtable was attended by a good cross-section of Afrikaans speakers drawn from business, government, the NGO sector, community representatives and academia. The keynote speakers included the Treasurer General of the African National Congress, Mr Paul Mashatile, who elaborated on the ruling parties philosophy, policy and history aimed at building a non-racial South Africa; and Dr Ruben Richards, Chairman of the Ruben Richards Foundation, who are actively involved in community upliftment projects and the creation of sustainable communities. The discussion was facilitated by Roelf Meyer, a key architect in the drafting of the South African Constitution. Areas, amongst others, that need fleshing out include: Developing a political culture of tolerance, with particular emphasis on ensuring that the narrative is conducive to reconciliation. Reversing the inter-community trust deficit that has systematically developed post the Mandela-reconciliation era. Guarding against stereotyping individuals on the basis of their community affiliation. Developing activities that give greater inter-community exposure. Designing public policies that crowd in the talents, skills, expertise and goodwill within the minority communities so as to enable their practical contribution towards building the South African economy and society. This dialogue forms part of the Inclusive Society Institute’s broader programme aimed at fostering an inclusive progressive society Sue van der Merwe, Chairperson, Inclusive Society Institute Paul Mashatile, Treasurer General, African National Congress Daryl Swanepoel, CEO, Inclusive Society Institute Ruben Richards, Chairperson, Ruben Richards Foundation Roelf Meyer, Director, In Transformation Initiative

In a social cohesion roundtable meeting on the role and place of the Afrikaans-speaking community in South Africa, held on Tuesday, 18 February 2020 at the Capital Menlyn on Maine Hotel in Pretoria, the Inclusive Society Institute reconfirmed its commitment to implement a sustainable programme to keep social cohesion high on the agenda. As agreed at the Cape Town roundtable the previous week, this would include the design of an action plan aimed at marshalling the decisions taken in the programme onto the country’s policy-making agenda. This roundtable, as at the Cape Town roundtable, was attended by a good cross-section of Afrikaans speakers drawn from business, government, the NGO sector, community representatives and academia. The keynote speakers included the Treasurer General of the African National Congress, Mr Paul Mashatile, who elaborated on the ruling parties philosophy, policy and history aimed at building a non-racial South Africa; and the well-known economist, Theo Vorster, CEO of Galileo Capital, did a presentation on the economic context of South Africa. The discussion was facilitated by Roelf Meyer, a key architect in the drafting of the South African Constitution. The discussion revealed more or less the same concerns that were raised at the Cape Town meeting, albeit that there was a greater discussion on the economy and its potential contribution to fostering social cohesion. Concerns included: Developing a political culture of tolerance, with particular emphasis on ensuring that the narrative is conducive to reconciliation. Reversing the inter-community trust deficit that has systematically developed post the Mandela-reconciliation era. Guarding against stereotyping individuals on the basis of their community affiliation. Developing activities that give greater inter-community exposure. Designing public policies that crowd in the talents, skills, expertise and goodwill within the minority communities so as to enable their practical contribution towards building the South African economy and society. The need for more inter-community dialogue. The overriding message of the evening was ‘to get the economy right’. A growing economy would enable the government to deliver better services, create new jobs and economic opportunities that would expand the business base. Such an expansion would give natural momentum to the Black Economic Empowerment programmes of government. This dialogue forms part of the Inclusive Society Institute’s broader programme aimed at fostering an inclusive progressive society. Paul Mashatile, Treasurer General, ANC Keith Khoza, Board Member, Inclusive Society Institute Theo Vorster, CEO, Galileo Capital Daryl Swanepoel, CEO, Inclusive Society Institute Roelf Meyer, Director, In Transformation Initiative

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) is currently involved in an extensive research programme seeking alternative pathways to universal access and affordable healthcare in South Africa. It recently released a report on its NHI roundtable dialogue, which brought together the diverse range of healthcare stakeholders to interrogate the draft legislation which is now before the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Health. One of the report’s recommendations is that the portfolio committee consider alternative international examples of universal healthcare models, the German healthcare system being one such model. In line with the aforementioned recommendation, the ISI, in cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, hosted a seminar on Wednesday afternoon, 19 February 2020, at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town. The seminar was attended by delegates from the healthcare industry, academics, Members of Parliament serving on the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee for Health and Dr. Gwen Ramakgopa, a representative of the ANC’s National Executive Committee for Education and Health. The ranking Member of Parliament was Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health. The key presenters included Germany’s former Minister of Health, Hon. Ulla Schmidt, who currently serves as a Member of the Bundestag, and Mr. Franz Knieps, who serves on the board of German Health Insurance BKK. Hon. Schmidt was Europe’s longest serving Minister of Health and oversee the implementation of the national health insurance system of Germany. Mr. Knieps, a former German Director General of Health, also made an extensive technical presentation during the seminar. ​The German healthcare system is based on solidarity, where the rich subsidise the poor, and the healthy the sick. It has a universal healthcare system where all citizens are compelled to have health insurance. All citizens belong to the national insurance scheme, but they may opt out if they take out private health insurance. The State funds the premiums of the unemployed and for certain categories of social beneficiaries. Whilst the proposed South African model suggests a single fund, in order to promote competition, there exists a number of funds in Germany. Standards are assured through an independent and autonomous healthcare standards authority. Another key feature of the German system is that healthcare specialists, providers and patients accept joint responsibility for the various funds’ governance.

Following the seminar on the NHI: Lessons from the German healthcare system, a technical meeting was held at the offices of the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) to further interrogate the areas of compatibility of the German system within the South African environment. The objective of the meeting was to clarify issues raised in the previous seminar on the topic, to discuss its applicability within the current economic constraints, to consider aspects that could be incorporated into the legislation currently under discussion, and to assist the ISI research team in the drafting of its written report to policymakers. The meeting was attended by the ISI’s research team, which is being led by Dr. Shivani Ranchod, invited academics, Dr. Gwen Ramakgopa representing the ANC’s NEC sub-committee on Education and Health, and Mr. Franz Knieps, an expert on the German healthcare system and a board member of German Health Insurance BKK.

The Inclusive Society Institute, in conjunction with NCOP MP Mohammad Dangor, hosted visiting MPs from the German Bundestag for lunch in Parliament on Friday, 21 February 2020. Hon. Ulla Schmidt and Dagmar Freitag, both members of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, were joined by the ANC Chief Whip, Hon. Pemmy Majodina MP. Also in attendance was Ms Sue van der Merwe and Daryl Swanepoel, Chairperson and CEO of the Inclusive Society Foundation, as well as Ms Londiwe Mntambo, who represented the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Matthias Hansen, Consul General of Germany, also attended. Points of discussion were wide-ranging. The conversation included coalition politics, parliamentary ethics and conventions, as well as the political programmes of both South Africa and Germany. Given the shared social democratic ideology, much of the discussion also included the furtherance of the global dialogue on the advancing of the progressive agenda internationally. Photo: (from left) Daryl Swanepoel, Chief Executive Officer, Inclusive Society Institute Sue van der Merwe, Chairperson, Inclusive Society Institute Pemmy Majodina, MP, SA Parliament Ulla Schmidt, Member, German Bundestag Londiwe Mntambo, Project Manager, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Mohammed Dangor, MP, SA Parliament Dagmar Freitag, Member, German Bundestag Matthias Hansen, Consul General, German Consulate General in Cape Town

Government has announced their intention to introduce a National Health Insurance Scheme for South Africa. The Minister of Health has published a bill in this regard, which is currently being discussed at the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health. The introduction of the bill has met with mixed reaction, inter alia, trade unions who have expressed their support, and medical aid schemes and private hospitals raising concerns regarding the financial viability of the scheme. The bill has been published without an accompanying financing paper. The institute has commissioned research to inform a way forward that is cognisant of the shortcomings of the current system, both public and private, and the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed reforms. In questioning the way forward, it will be useful to conceptualize an inter-connected set of reforms – enabling thinking about a series of policy choices and the sequencing of the implementation of the various choices. In its research, the institute wishes to develop a framework against which reform pathway choices can be assessed by also providing a technical costing model which can be used to contextualize the fiscal implementation of alternatives. This research is currently ongoing. In December 2019 the institute hosted a highly successful roundtable on the NHI, in which organisations drawn from across the health sector, government, labour and business participated. One important aspect that was raised on a number of occasions during the discussion, was the concern that the bill would not pass constitutional muster. A further desktop study identified a number of constitutional arguments that were raised by various stakeholders in this regard. In order to test and assess the validity of the constitutional arguments being raised, a roundtable dialogue (via video-conferencing) was held on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 with representatives from the legal and academic fraternity. In the course of the discussion it became quite clear that the constitutional questions associated with the NHI Bill are complex and needful of intensive interrogation. The institute intends to obtain formal legal opinions to accurately inform its research and advocacy work with regard to the legislation.

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.