Alan Hirsch

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

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.

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

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…

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/…

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

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

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

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

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…

There is a lot of attention on AI and its impact on productivity and jobs. There is also concern about rapidly aging populations in the global north. Politicians and policy makers are increasingly worried and confused about what to do about migrants seeking jobs in their countries and the impact on society and politics. But how do these issues fit together, and what are their key impacts on, and implications for, developing countries, the global south? This working paper by @AlanHirsch2 (New South Institute) explores these connections, asking how these trends might be managed in ways that are mutually beneficial for both richer and poorer countries. We invite you to read and engage with this latest paper from the New South Institute. nsi.org.za/publications/alan… @UNmigration @BrookingsInst @IMFNews @WorldBankGroup @WorldBankAfrica

How should South Africa position itself in a shifting global migration debate? At a recent roundtable in Cape Town, the New South Institute (NSI), in collaboration with partners, hosted IOM Director-General Amy Pope alongside leading migration scholars and policymakers. Led by @AlanHirsch2, the discussion focused on governance challenges in Southern Africa and the importance of evidence-based reform. As South Africa advances its migration policy, the conversation highlighted a key point: migration must be understood, and managed, through data, regional cooperation, and practical implementation, not anecdote. @AmyEPope @UNmigration @IOMchief @UCT_news @MandelaUCT @Leon_Schreib @HomeAffairsSA news.uct.ac.za/article/-2026…

The New South Institute collaboratively convened a roundtable in Cape Town with IOM Director-General Amy Pope and leading migration researchers to discuss governance challenges in Southern Africa. @AlanHirsch2 led the discussion, reflecting on the emerging concept of route-based approaches and their implications for regional cooperation and migration policy.

Vacancy: Specialist Labour Lawyer The New South Institute is seeking to appoint a Specialist Labour Lawyer to join its Public Service Reform programme. This role is distinct in its legal focus. It is intended for a senior legal professional who can help ensure that reform proposals, regulatory instruments, and accountability frameworks are legally robust, constitutionally compliant, and defensible. The position includes legal drafting, legal governance advice, and the identification of litigation and compliance risks linked to reform implementation. This is a part-time role at approximately 30%, offered on a 12-month contract, with the possibility of renewal. It is best suited to candidates with experience in labour law, administrative law, or constitutional governance, particularly in relation to the public sector. To apply, please email your CV to [email protected] by Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Vacancy: Senior Analyst/Researcher The New South Institute is seeking to appoint a Senior Analyst/Researcher to join its Public Service Reform programme. This role brings an analytical and institutional perspective to the programme. It is intended for someone who can strengthen the behavioural and institutional design of reform, analyse incentives and compliance mechanisms, and contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and evidence-based implementation. This is a 50% part-time role on a 12-month contract. It is suited to candidates with a background in politics, public administration, industrial/organisational psychology, public policy, or institutional design, together with experience in governance reform, policy research, or public administration analysis. To apply, please email your CV to [email protected] by Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

🚨 A digital reset for South Africa’s immigration system? NSI’s @AlanHirsch2 breaks down what the proposed shift to digital migration governance could mean - and why bold policy ideas won’t matter without serious implementation capacity. Essential reading on the future of immigration, technology, and the state. 🔗 theconversation.com/south-af… #MigrationGovernance #DigitalState #SouthAfrica #NSI @TC_Africa @migration @UNmigration @HomeAffairsSA