Dear Friend of the IRR,

As the festive season approaches, South Africans look forward to a time of celebration and relaxation with family and friends. But as we raise our glasses, kick off our work shoes, and hold our loved ones close, now is also the time to reflect on 2023 and look ahead towards 2024.

Mandela's vision for South Africa

In December 1993, 30 years ago this month, Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in the dismantling of apartheid. In his speech, Mandela expressed his conviction that in their new democracy all South Africans would enjoy the right to “life, liberty, prosperity, human rights, and good governance".

He also spoke of the immense potential of South Africa, looking forward to a future in which all the country's people would “live like the children of paradise.”

Thirty years later, the government has firmly placed paradise out of reach for most South Africans. From potholes to power cuts, from pit toilets to poverty, the consequences of anti-growth, anti-liberty policies are brutally tangible around us.

Looking back on 2023

The IRR has played a leading role in documenting and opposing anti-growth, anti-liberty laws before and after 1994.

In 2023 we have continued our fight fearlessly. Some of our notable work this year includes:

• Countdown to Socialism: The National Democratic Revolution in South Africa since 1994. Written by the IRR's Head of Policy Research Anthea Jeffery, this book is essential for anyone who wants to understand what is going wrong in South Africa and why.
• South Africa's Third Age. Presented to the Cato Institute in Washington in July by IRR CEO John Endres, the concept of South Africa's Third Age is gaining traction. Former President Thabo Mbeki referred to the theory repeatedly in public speeches, which has attracted comments by several journalists.
• IRR Growth Strategy. Submitted to the Multi-Party Charter in August, this report proposes a set of bold reforms that provide a credible foundation for sustainable growth for South Africa.

What lies ahead?

Next year will be a crucial year for our democracy with perhaps the most important elections since 1994. The failure of the ANC to deliver Mandela's vision of a free and prosperous South Africa over the last 30 years is harming their political support and our future likely lies in coalition politics.

South Africa's future will be determined by those who turn out to vote. Click here and pledge to vote to commit to take part in deciding our future.

South Africa's future cannot be guaranteed without growth. In 2024, we will publish a set of detailed proposals setting out how South Africa can achieve a growth rate of as much as 7% per year. Ten years of this growth rate would effectively double the size of our economy and result in a much better life for all South Africans.

Thank you!

Thank you for your support. It is through your generosity and desire to see our country become the free and prosperous paradise of Mandela's vision that we can continue to fight against the policies that stand in the way of that vision.

We at the IRR wish you and your family a wonderful festive season and a prosperous 2024.

Live Free. Prosper.