IJR

The South African Reconciliation Barometer (SARB), the IJR’s nationally representative public opinion survey on issues of social cohesion and governance, has featured prominently in a new report and policy brief published by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) entitled Trust in Government: Evidence Synthesis and International Benchmarking Study.

Unquestionably, the Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on all facets of human life. From an overwhelmed healthcare employment, from fractured social relations to civil unrest and instability, no part of the human experience in South Africa and globally has been left unaffected by the virus. However, Covid-19 did not affect all segments of the population equally and those classed within marginalized social and economic groups were particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions. In case the vast inequalities in South Africa were not sufficiently obvious, the Covid-19 pandemic laid bare the unjust and inequitable structures that failed those not safely situated in the upper-middle class.

Covid-19 has exacerbated South Africa’s most pressing socioeconomic inequities. Worsening inequality, a rising cost of living, systemic corruption, high unemployment, and government austerity paints a picture of a country under severe strain. These dire socioeconomic realities continue to affect the poor and most vulnerable in our communities. While Covid-19 continues to be a challenge for all, research shows that poor black and coloured people remain disproportionately affected by the crisis, which is indicative of the legacies of our apartheid history

From 13-17 September 2021, the IJR and ITI held a learning visit for the new appointees of the Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission (Commission Vérité, Justice, Réparations et Réconciliation, CVJRR) from the Central African Republic (CAR). The high-level delegation attended a workshop in Pretoria, which focused on sharing South Africa’s practical experiences on transitional justice, as well as lessons and insights applicable to the CAR Commission.

Perceptions of pervasive corruption in South Africa have dominated public discourse for much of the last decade. In its many forms, corruption undermines the effectiveness of the state, worsens the quality of public services, and ultimately erodes public trust. In South Africa, former President Jacob Zuma and some of his allies stand accused of state capture – the use of the state for personal interests that has crippled various compromised institutions.