John EndresaCEO

The IRR is one of South Africa's oldest think tanks, founded in 1929. Its mission is to understand South Africa through research and data, explain the country's challenges, and promote policies that help create a freer, more prosperous society based on individual liberty and non-racialism.

Public debate is often driven by emotions and political narratives. Data helps us understand what people actually think and what challenges matter most. Good policy starts with understanding reality rather than relying on assumptions or ideology.

We are not aligned with any political party, but we do have principles. We believe in non-racialism, property rights, economic growth, merit-based appointments, and individual freedom. Our research is designed to promote those values because we believe they help societies succeed.

Our concern is not whether some people have benefited. Clearly some have. The bigger question is whether the majority of South Africans have benefited. We believe policies should focus on growing the economy and creating opportunities for everyone rather than continuing to classify people by race.

One of our recent surveys found that a large majority of respondents did not want the government to continue using race classifications when deciding access to jobs and business opportunities. That suggests many South Africans are more supportive of non-racial approaches than politicians often assume.

The data is remarkably consistent. The top concern is unemployment. After that come issues related to crime, safety, corruption, and service delivery. Topics like racism, land reform, and race-based policies receive far less attention from ordinary citizens than political debates might suggest.

Investment. If South Africa wants economic growth, it needs more investment in roads, factories, infrastructure, machinery, and productive assets. Without higher levels of investment, it becomes very difficult to create jobs, increase incomes, and improve living standards.

Investment creates the foundations that allow economies to expand. Businesses need confidence before committing capital. If investors believe their assets are safe and the business environment is stable, they are more likely to invest, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth.

Investors are concerned about policy uncertainty, crime, weak infrastructure, and threats to property rights. They need confidence that their investments will be protected and profitable over the long term. Without that confidence, capital tends to stay on the sidelines.

Property rights are fundamental because they give people confidence to invest and build. If people believe their assets could be taken away or face uncertain legal protections, they become far less willing to commit capital to long-term projects.

When we look at public opinion data, we see many South Africans holding practical and moderate views. Most people want jobs, safety, opportunity, and better services. Those priorities create a strong foundation for positive change if political leadership responds effectively.

The campaign encourages people to imagine a better South Africa ten years from now. Too many people have lost hope. We want South Africans to see that positive change is possible and that better economic outcomes are within reach if the right decisions are made today.