ROELF MEYER | DIRECTOR, IN TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
T
he Inclusive Society Institute
its place and role within the country, as
held two roundtable discus-
well as their experiences in the promo-
sions on the role of the Afri-
tion of social cohesion and national unity.
kaans-speaking community in
linguistic, racial and cultural histories. Overall, participants expressed their commitment and hope that the issues
South Africa. The first was held on the
Additionally, the engagements also
plaguing South Africa can be resolved,
11th of February 2020 in Cape Town and
served as an opportunity to bring the
despite echoes of frustration and
the second on the 18th of February 2020
concerns of citizens to the attention of
scepticism regarding the political will
in Pretoria. Invited guests ranged from
national leadership and policymakers,
from national leadership to consider the
academics to community activists, pri-
and develop policy recommendations
concerns and issues expressed.
vate sector business leaders, members
that will allow the Afrikaans-speaking
of the clergy, entrepreneurs, economists,
community to fully contribute to the
All participants agreed that there is
members of the judiciary, government
development of an inclusive society and
a need for pragmatic solutions in the
representatives, members of the media
economy in South Africa.
country which can be achieved through
and film sector, civil society organisation representatives and educators.
collaborative efforts by government, The roundtable discussions revealed ar-
the private sector and civil society. The
eas of alignment, disagreement and lack
Afrikaans-speaking community expressed
The aim of the discussions was to
of clarity pertaining to the definition of a
a keen desire to be involved in these
achieve a better understanding of how
South African’s national identity and how
processes and believe they can also be
the Afrikaans-speaking community views
this is informed by the individual’s ethnic,
providers of critical solutions to issues of
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REPORT ON THE SOCIAL COHESION SURVEY