On Friday evening, 22 October 2021, the Deputy Chairperson of the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI), Professor Zweli Ndevu, and its CEO, Daryl Swanepoel, met with the Minster in the Presidency, Hon, Mondli Gungubele. The objective of the meeting was to introduce the work of the institute to the Presidency and to discuss the various research projects related to urgent national issues that the ISI is currently busy with. This included, amongst others, studies into the National Health Insurance, inequality, the Basic Income Grant (BIG), crime intelligence, anti-corruption, the economy and social cohesion.
The ISI shared with the Minister its desire to constructively participate as a co-builder in the national dialogue and was encouraged by both the Minister’s commitment and openness to engage the broader public policy community, and the sense of urgency and pragmatism with which the Presidency is seeking solutions to the burning socio-economic issues confronting the nation. Both sides were of the view that resolutions to the issues required the broad support of government, business, labour, and civil society and that all should work in concert within a social contract that was pragmatic, and whilst aspirational, should work within the confines of the current status quo and rules based global realities.
The two sides have committed themselves to maintaining open channels of communication.