Building Social Cohesion

Page 10

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


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