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Dear Friend of the IRR, Have you noticed that pushing back against race-based policies like BEE is no longer as taboo as it once was? Many South Africans are realising that even though race is an important part of our history and people's identities, it has no place in our laws. We at the IRR are driving that change through our efforts to promote non-racialism and discussions about race classification with people from organisations like the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), with whom we met last month. In addition to our very productive discussion with the SAHRC, it's been a busy month at the IRR: we submitted a proposal for a new electoral system for South Africa to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (ECRP), published two Blueprint for Growth papers, and hosted the 45th Hoernlé Memorial Lecture. We've also got some exciting events coming up in November. Towards a non-racial future
Should the government still dictate to people what race they can and cannot identify as? What would a truly non-racial South Africa look like? These were some of the questions our Head of Campaigns, Marius Roodt, and our Campaign Manager, Makone Maja, discussed with senior members of the SAHRC at their meeting on 22 October. Marius and Makone took this opportunity to argue for a non-racial future where race-based policies like BEE are replaced with socio-economic ones that are better able to help the poor, like Economic Empowerment for the Disadvantaged (EED).
Time to make politicians listen
In our recent submission to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (ERCP), we propose a number of electoral systems that will ensure that representatives in parliament actually listen to the people who put them there. As our Head of Campaigns, Marius Roodt, puts it: “The current electoral system is, frankly, a muddle. We cannot use it for the next election. There is now ample time for other systems to be considered and implemented before the next poll. The time for electoral reform is now." Click here to read the full submission. Infrastructure and jobs: two cornerstones of growth
Two of the biggest problems facing South Africa are crumbling infrastructure and unemployment. In October, we published two new Blueprint for Growth papers which address these issues. The 5th Blueprint for Growth paper, titled Reinforcing South Africa's Growth through Infrastructure, proposes reforms that will make our roads safer, make our electricity and water supply reliable and affordable, and turn our ports into efficient gateways to global trade. The 6th Blueprint for Growth paper, titled Generating Jobs and Skills for Prosperity and Growth, focuses on the tragedy of South Africa's wasted potential, and the key policy reforms we need to boost growth, skills, and job creation. Read these (and the rest of the Blueprint for Growth papers) on the IRR website.
We have a number of Blueprint for Growth papers due to be published in November - click here and sign up to be notified when they are published, or keep an eye on our social media. Should hate speech be against the law?
Last week, we hosted the 45th Hoernlé Memorial Lecture in association with the Free Speech Union of South Africa. The Hoernlé Memorial Lecture has been an important part of advancing freedom in South Africa since 1945. In this year's lecture, Adv. Mark Oppenheimer discussed hate speech and its intersection with law, and what it means for freedom of speech in South Africa. Click here to watch Adv. Oppenheimer's lecture and click here to read the 44 previous editions.
Upcoming webinar: #WhatSACanBe: Hope, Opportunity, Unity, and Common Ground
It's almost time for us to release our latest polling data, which reveals how South Africans really feel about important issues like race, the government, and the future of this country. Join us live on 12 November at 10:00 as the IRR's Hermann Pretorius explores our findings, focusing on the renewed sense of cautious optimism, how people feel about the GNU, the sound state of race relations, and areas where people agree on key policy outcomes and socio-economic aspirations. Click here to register for the webinar. If you can't attend live, the recording will be available on our YouTube channel.
Upcoming event: What South Africa Can Be
Join us in person on Wednesday 20 November as we imagine what South Africa can be: a country where every person has access to quality healthcare, where the roads are safe and electricity is reliable, and where every child has a real chance at a prosperous future. Event details:
Tickets are free, but seats are limited. Click here to book your spot. We look forward to seeing you there!
Quote of the month
We hope you enjoyed this edition of our monthly newsletter. Click here to let us know what you think.
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