Challenge:

In the realm of policy reform, there is a persistent tendency to treat comparative research as an academic luxury rather than a practical tool for meaningful change. South Africa’s own experiences reflect this — public service reform in the 1990s was largely guided by global trends like New Public Management without fully considering the nuanced contexts that made these reforms successful elsewhere. This approach risks importing solutions without adapting them to the complex social, cultural, and political landscapes they’re meant to serve. Without critically examining how similar reforms have fared globally — their successes, failures, and the conditions that shaped them — South Africa risks repeating the mistakes of the past.

Action:

We at NSI embrace comparative research not as a mere academic exercise but as a strategic tool to drive impactful reform. By purposefully examining global experiences, we aim to uncover what works, what doesn’t, and why — always with a sharp focus on how these lessons can apply to South Africa and the Global South. Our work involves deep dives into global reform movements, from public service reform and welfare systems to migration management, allowing us to critically assess the conditions that led to success or failure across diverse contexts.

At the same time, we bring a Southern lens to comparative studies, particularly exploring reform efforts across Africa and the broader New South, to highlight shared challenges and uncover contextually relevant solutions. Our approach focuses on identifying transferable ideas and concepts, understanding the principles that connect global reform efforts, and tailoring these insights to South Africa’s unique realities.

A central pillar of our work is democratisation — examining how states around the world have successfully brought key institutions under civilian and democratic control, with a clear vision of replicating similar successes here in South Africa.

Impact:

By championing a globally informed, locally grounded approach to reform, we at NSI equip policymakers with data-driven insights that help them avoid the pitfalls of adopting foreign models without context. Our goal is to inform tailored reform strategies, ensuring that initiatives in civil service, welfare, and migration are fit-for-purpose within South Africa’s unique socio-political landscape. We are committed to strengthening democratic institutions by drawing on global successes in placing power and accountability in civilian hands.

At the same time, we strive to foster regional solidarity by highlighting shared experiences across the Global South, promoting collaboration and collective problem-solving. Through strategic, evidence-based reforms that are both innovative and deeply rooted in local realities, we aim to drive transformative change that makes a lasting impact.