Annexure B: Action plan

ANNEXURE B

ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED AT THE DIALOGUES

The concerns raised during the two dialogues, as captured in the tabulated list of concerns (Annexure A), can be broadly grouped into three action types:

• The first group of concerns are those for which political leaders and policymakers need sensitisation and which they need to take heed of in their policy formulations and public pronouncements. • The second group of concerns are those concerns that require further dialogue between the political leadership, policymakers and the Afrikaans-speaking community. • The third group of concerns are those that require further policy research and/or analysis.

The concerns are grouped hereunder within an action plan that sets out the concern, action required, the body to be engaged and the target deadline for concluding the action.

GROUP 1: Issues and concerns requiring sensitisation of political leadership and policymakers

Concern/Issue

Engagements towards improved dialogue need to be succeeded by action and the implementation of resolutions

The lack of vision and reliable leadership from government has resulted in distrust, apathy and disenfranchisement among the citizenry

Lack of accountability and transparency from national leadership. Inability to hold those implicated in corruption responsible

Need for diversification of voices in leadership to inspire citizens towards action and activism

Efforts towards social cohesion are threatened by comments and messaging from political leaders that deepen societal divides

Concerns regarding the status and protection of constitutional principles, as well as attacks on the Judiciary Action required

Presentation of report findings: ANC Treasurer General, ISI CEO and ISI social cohesion project facilitator Body to engage

ANC NEC Date

Jun ‘20

Concern/Issue

No clear definition and direction from leadership on national unity and how this can be achieved

• Disconnect between what young South Africans understand regarding the intended outcomes and principles forged during the South African transition and the manifestation of these desired outcomes in their lives today • Youth feel excluded from the political agenda and lack opportunities to participate

Continued use of racial differentiation in legislation and policy including the use of ‘Blacks in general and Africans in particular’, which perpetuates exclusion and discrimination against other races and cultures not part of this classification

Need for mentorship initiatives, training and skills transfer programmes

Urgent intervention in the education sector is needed, regarding the quality and level of education, shortage of educators and resources, and home-language teaching

Discriminatory nature of policies such as BBBEE and affirmative action Action required

• Dialogue with Afrikaans-speaking communities on their definition and proposed direction that leadership should take in promoting national unity • Engage ANC NEC

Arrange a structured dialogue with young leaders representing the South African demographics Body to engage

• Expand existing Afrikaans-speaking focus groups Date

Jul ‘20

• ANC NEC

Youth leaders drawn from higher education institutions, civil society and business Oct ‘20

Aug ‘20

Arrange a dialogue between the Coloured community and ANC NEC subcommittee for Social Transformation

Arrange re-engagement of business and other interested parties with COGTA to give impetus to already existing agreements re mentorship programmes at local government level

Arrange dialogue between education and business fraternity and the DHE & DBE

Arrange a dialogue between business and ANC Economic Transformation Committee to discuss the discrepancy between the intended vs achieved outcomes associated with BBBEE Representatives drawn from Coloured community organisations, civil society and business representatives

Leaders drawn from business community, Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) and COGTA Nov ‘20

Sep ‘20

DHE, DBE and education fraternity Dec ‘20

Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) and ANC NEC Subcommittee on Economic Transformation Aug ‘20

Concern/Issue

Lack of accountability and transparency from national leadership. Inability to hold those implicated in corruption responsible

Efforts towards social cohesion are threatened by comments and messaging from political leaders that deepen societal divides

Discrimination against minorities through legislation and policies resulting in political and economic disempowerment

Lack of civic participation in holding government officials accountable and promoting good governance

No visible application of constitutional principles that form the foundations of national unity, tolerance and inclusive society

• The growing crisis of unemployment has been acknowledged; however, more practical plans need to be developed to effect change • Increasing levels of youth unemployment and a lack of initiatives aimed at absorbing unemployed graduates into the workforce • Economic stagnation and difficulty of doing business in

South Africa • Need for mentorship initiatives, training and skills transfer programmes • Clear vision on economic reform and the empowerment of private sector business towards contributing to solutions • Lack of clarity on issues of property rights, land redistribution without compensation and the status of the NDR

The loss of critical skills and qualified individuals as a result of lack of opportunities and stagnant economic growth

Government continues to pursue avenues and legislative decisions that do not result in positive outcomes or visible effective changes/improvements Action required

Commission an analysis of reported high-profile crimes and current status of the administration of justice in these regard

Commission research into (i) the divisive narrative by political and government leaders and its impact on social cohesion, and (ii) ways to enhance and mobilise the centre forces of society to build an inclusive society

Commission stakeholder engagements to understand concerns and then analyse the implementation and impact of the legislation Body to engage

Inclusive Society Institute research subcommittee Date

To be determined

Inclusive Society Institute research subcommittee To be determined

Inclusive Society Institute research subcommittee To be determined

The Inclusive Society Institute is of the opinion that much work is being done in this regard by civil society

Commission a comparative analysis between the constitutional principles and progress made since 1994

Incorporate concerns into the research brief of the ISI’s comprehensive economic policy research project. Afrikaans-speaking community focus groups to form part of the stakeholder engagements Inclusive Society Institute research subcommittee

Inclusive Society Institute research subcommittee To be determined

Mar ‘21

Commission research into emigration trends

Commission research to test the validity of this sentiment Inclusive Society Institute research subcommittee To be determined

Inclusive Society Institute research subcommittee To be determined

The outcome of each action will serve as the basis for engaging the political and policymaking leaders of the country and/or to motivate further investigation/research.

NOTES

This report has been published by the Inclusive Society Institute.

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) is an autonomous and independent institution that functions independently from any other entity. It is founded for the purpose of supporting and further deepening multi-party democracy.

The ISI’s work is motivated by its desire to achieve non-racialism, non-sexism, social justice and cohesion, economic development and equality in South Africa, through a value system that embodies the social and national democratic principles associated with a developmental state. It recognises that a well-functioning democracy requires well-functioning political formations that are suitably equipped and capacitated. It further acknowledges that South Africa is inextricably linked to the ever-transforming and interdependent global world, which necessitates international and multilateral cooperation. As such, the ISI also seeks to achieve its ideals at a global level through cooperation with like-minded parties and organs of civil society who share its basic values.

In South Africa, ISI’s ideological positioning is aligned with that of the African National Congress (ANC) and others in broader society with similar ideals.