Since working in government & leading the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, researching African migration governance reform at New South Institute.
Cape Town
Joined November 2012
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Shared prosperity is not just about more jobs--it's also about better jobs. In our fourth post we consider how productivity and incomes can rise for the precarious middle stratum of South African society.
Here's the third in my series of posts with Brian Levy towards a shared prosperity in South Africa. We ask what are the opportunities to grow jobs in the informal sector?
nsi.org.za/project_activity/…
Alan Hirsch retweeted
In the NSI's five-part series, Building Shared Prosperity in South Africa, we consider growth, jobs and the “missing middle.”
In Going for Growth, the second article, @AlanHirsch2 and @Brianlevy387 ask what it would take to restore growth in South Africa's formal economy.
nsi.org.za/project_activity/… @SALDRU1
Brian Levy and I have been pulling together ideas about growth and job creation, and strengthening small and micro businesses in SA and how to get there. Here's the blurb and the first blog.
Building shared prosperity in South Africa requires an economy that creates jobs, supports entrepreneurship and expands opportunities for participation in economic growth.
The New South Institute has launched a new five-part blog series, Building Shared Prosperity in South Africa, which considers the policy choices and institutional reforms needed to address unemployment and support more inclusive economic growth.
Co-author @AlanHirsch2 joined Jeremy Maggs on Hot Business on @Hot1027FM to discuss the series and the challenges facing South Africa's economy.
Alan outlined three complementary priorities: accelerating formal sector growth, creating a more supportive environment for small and informal businesses, and harnessing information and communication technologies to improve productivity and expand economic opportunities.
The discussion also considered the importance of effective governance, entrepreneurship and cooperation between government and business in creating the conditions for shared prosperity.
Listen to the full interview: iono.fm/e/1728010
Read the first article in the series: nsi.org.za/project_activity/…
@SALDRU1 @CDEsouthafrica @MandelaUCT @GTACSouthAfrica @IEJ_SA @ROAPEjournal @DPRU_UCT
Alan Hirsch retweeted
As tensions around undocumented migration continue to shape public debate in South Africa, NSI’s @AlanHirsch2 joins @NewsCentralTV’s The Conversation today, 12 August, to discuss the economic implications and the broader questions of migration governance, employment and economic inclusion.
Watch live from 18:25 SAST on News Central TV.
Alan Hirsch retweeted
Government has begun implementing elements of its five-point migration plan, but @AlanHirsch2, Head of NSI’s Migration Governance Reform in Africa programme, says the longer-term challenge extends beyond borders, documentation and enforcement.
Speaking to Africa Melane on @Radio702 and @CapeTalk , Alan pointed to progress in tackling corruption within Home Affairs and strengthening border management, while arguing that greater regional cooperation and economic development in neighbouring countries will ultimately be critical.
“The long-term solution is more economic development in those countries.”
Watch the conversation on what government has done so far, where the gaps remain, and what a longer-term approach to migration could require.
youtu.be/5bu7RpvU1YA?si=8Mhd… via @YouTube @theafricainst @africaupdates @SouthSouthMvmt @Mixed_Migration @ImmigrationLab @HomeAffairsSA @ParliamentofRSA
Alan Hirsch retweeted
Last week, at the 9th African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices Annual Conference, hosted by the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia in Swakopmund, NSI’s @AlanHirsch2 discussed the fiscal dimensions of migration in Southern Africa.
Drawing on his South African research, he highlighted the relatively small share of the national budget represented by the migration-related costs he examined, alongside the potential benefits of labour migration, skills partnerships and regional cooperation.
Read more: nsi.org.za/news/budgeting-fo…
Alan Hirsch retweeted
Fewer than 3% of South Africa's senior public service managers are under 40.
Drawing on PERSAL data from 2009 to 2024, our latest research finds the average senior manager is 53–55 years old, with up to 80% over the age of 50 in some sectors, and virtually no successor pipeline.
What happens when this generation retires, and who replaces them?
Join us to discuss the findings.
📅 13 August | 12:00–13:00 (online)
Register: forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/…
Alan Hirsch retweeted
When governments face moments of crisis, leadership matters.
In a new article, @AlanHirsch2, Head of the Migration Governance Reform in Africa programme at the New South Institute, reflects on South Africa's response to anti-foreigner mobilisation, arguing that delayed action and mixed messaging allowed tensions to escalate.
Drawing lessons from South Africa's COVID-19 response and international experience, he considers what can still be done to prevent further conflict and strengthen social cohesion.
Read the full article: groundup.org.za/article/xeno…
Alan's presentation is also available to download on our website: nsi.org.za/news/migration-go…
@TheAfricaReport @theafricainst @SouthSouthMvmt @AfricaInsights @SVoice2030 @Mixed_Migration @diegoi @TsionTA @MandelaUCT
Here is a great explainer of the facts on migrants in South Africa by the excellent @AfricaCheck
🗣️ Migration debates are often driven by claims – not evidence.
Our latest explainer examines three common narratives about migrants, jobs and crime in #SouthAfrica, and compares them with the available data. africacheck.info/migrant_nar…
Alan Hirsch retweeted
South Africa-s Explosive Migrant Crisis: Anti-foreigner Violence Is Easily Sparked, What Hasnt Been Done To Deal With It - globalupfront.com/2026/06/10… @AlanHirsch2
Alan Hirsch retweeted
What happens when a country built on the ideals of the Rainbow Nation begins to turn inward?
In a new @dailymaverick opinion piece, Mandira Bagwandeen (NSI) and Aaliyah Vayez reflect on the growing tensions between South Africa's pan-African aspirations and the realities of anti-migrant violence.
The article argues that the country's current reckoning is about far more than migration policy. It is about political leadership, the rule of law, and whether South Africa can uphold the values of dignity, solidarity and inclusion that have long shaped its place on the African continent.
dailymaverick.co.za/article/…
#PanAfricanism #Migration #Governance #SouthAfrica #PublicPolicy
Alan Hirsch retweeted
My colleague @AlanHirsch2
nails it.
theconversation.com/anti-for…
Alan Hirsch retweeted
#ICYMI A thought-provoking read from Professor @AlanHirsch2: Anti‑foreigner violence in South Africa is easily sparked: what hasn’t been done to deal with it
📚 @TC_Africa opinion piece: bit.ly/4fyCo33
Alan Hirsch retweeted
Anti-foreigner violence doesn't emerge in a vacuum.
It takes root where economic hardship, frustration, misinformation and political opportunism meet. But it can be prevented.
Writing for The Conversation Africa, @AlanHirsch2 explores why South Africa remains vulnerable to anti-foreigner mobilisation and outlines practical steps that government, political leaders and civil society can take to reduce tensions and build a more constructive response to migration.
Read the full article: theconversation.com/anti-for…
@TC_Africa @KopanangAfrica @HomeAffairsSA @DIRCO_ZA @DpmeOfficial
There's much more we could do to stop the anger and the violence.
theconversation.com/anti-for…
Time to take a stand against anti-immigrant violence share.google/mQsbislCiZuFZi1…
Alan Hirsch retweeted
In a recent interview with @trtworld, the Head of the Migration Governance Reform in Africa programme at the New South Institute (NSI), @AlanHirsch2, reflected on the deeper structural issues shaping the current moment, from unemployment and poverty to housing pressures and public frustration with government systems.
Rather than reducing the issue to simplistic narratives about migrants “taking jobs,” Alan argued for a more honest conversation about economic stagnation, political leadership, and the need for credible, effective migration governance.
The discussion also explored how South Africa can respond to undocumented migration without fuelling hostility or violence against foreign nationals.
Watch the full interview here: youtube.com/watch?v=eHgGaGgs…
Dani Rodrik's new book on finding progressive ways out of the current global impasse is challenging and important. I reviewed his book here--reprints accessible.
Full article: Shared Prosperity in a Fractured World tandfonline.com/eprint/3KTWR…
Alan Hirsch retweeted
Since @news24 invisibilised this excellent letter, be sure to read it. It exposes both N24 and the signatories
LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Imraan Coovadia, Steven Robins: Sooliman doctorate: UCT got it right news24.com/opinions/letters/…
