Since 2012, a university-led national initiative has researched and advocated strategies to overcome poverty and inequality in South Africa. The Nelson Mandela Foundation established a partnership with this project, which was publicly announced during the visit by Professor Thomas Piketty in October.
The project, known as “The Mandela Initiative”, comprises a multidimensional approach to understanding and overcoming poverty and inequality in South Africa.
The Mandela Initiative, which is set to run until the end of 2017, is guided by a 32-member think tank, with members from across the country, including those in academia, policy experts, researchers, members of civil society and senior government officials.
A research component is led by nine holders of Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation chairs at universities. The research will engage with topics related to and that have an impact on poverty and inequality, such as education, land, agriculture, health, minimum wages and the informal sector.
Research will also consist of dialogues and regional workshops with small groups of people, to focus on particular themes and projects. As a stakeholder, the Nelson Mandela Foundation will also seek to lead a broader national dialogue on poverty and inequality, and increase public participation and awareness of the issues.
The Mandela Initiative will soon launch a website that will provide information on events, programmes and research initiatives, as well as being an online repository of information on poverty and inequality. At the end of the project, a set of well formulated and thoroughly researched policy recommendations will be made.