The New South Institute (NSI) was proud to have Professor Alan Hirsch, a research fellow and leader of our Migration Governance Reform (MIGRA) program, contribute to the “Building Momentum on Reform: Towards the Next Phase of Operation Vulindlela” conference. The event took place on 25-26 June in Johannesburg.

This invitation-only conference, organized by the Presidency and the National Treasury, aimed to evaluate the progress of Operation Vulindlela (OV) and outline the next steps for South Africa’s economic reform agenda. Launched in October 2020, OV has focused on stabilizing the nation’s energy supply, improving digital communications, reforming the visa system, and enhancing water infrastructure to drive economic growth and job creation.

Professor Hirsch participated in a panel discussion on visa reform alongside industry experts, including Ms. Tanya Cohen and Mr. Mavuso Msimang, chaired by Ms. Nomvuyo Guma. The session delved into the challenges and strategies for improving South Africa’s visa system to facilitate better migration governance and economic growth.

The conference gathered policymakers, industry leaders, and academics to reflect on the achievements of OV and identify future priorities. Discussions covered various reform areas, including energy, rail, and water systems, aiming to unlock further investment and enhance efficiencies across these critical sectors.

For more information on NSI’s initiatives and upcoming events, please visit our website.