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Research. Advocacy. Implementation support.

Shaping Change

We are an African institute doing research into the constraints to effective governance, underlining the importance of improved institutional design and performance. We work towards building effective and democratic state institutions, for more equitable policies to reduce poverty and inequality.

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For general enquiries, please email info@pari.org.za; for Human Resources enquiries, please email hr@pari.org.za.

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Just Transition

Op Ed | South Africa urged to firm up developmental vision for universal electricity access

Image: Bram Lammers/2021/De Aar/Family uses electricity for heating   A leading advocate for the provision of free basic electricity (FBE) to poor…
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Watch | Dr Mbete comments on Ramaphosa’s meeting with US President

“I think that President Ramaphosa dealt with falsehoods as well as he could. But of course, no one can ever be prepared…
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Just Transition

Report | Affordability of Basic Services for South African Households

By Tracy Ledger, with Nonhalanhla Mathibela South Africa is characterised by high poverty and high inequality. More than half of all households…
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Listen | SMWX: Can GNU bring economic justice?

PARI's Executive Director Sithembile Mbete participated in a recent SMWX podcast: 'In today's episode, in collaboration with the Institute for Economic Justice,…
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Land Governance

Draft Guidelines | Unlocking Land for a Just Transition

On the 24th of June 2025, PARI’s Land Governance Programme Researcher Daniel Sher presented  the Draft Guidelines on how municipalities should unlock…
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Just Transition

Listen | New report calls for clear basic-services standards in South Africa

Dr Tracy Ledger, lead author on PARI's latest report, Affordability of Basic Services for South African Households, spoke to Radio Islam about…
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Vacancy | Accountant

Image: ID 108331227 © Romolo Tavani | Dreamstime.com Advertisement ACCOUNTANT Closing date for applications: Monday, 30 June 2025 The Public Affairs Research…
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Academic Engagement

Lecture | Ethics of Investigative Research

Professor Marco Marzano from Bergamo University will present a lecture at PARI on 9 June, looking at the ethics of investigative research.…
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Academic Engagement

Gallery | State, Democracy and the Promise of Development Symposium

Symposium | State, Democracy and the Promise of Development: South Africa in comparative perspective 15–16 May 2025 Wits Club, University of the…
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Academic Engagement

Symposium | State, Democracy and the Promise of Development: South Africa in comparative perspective

The symposium, State, Democracy and the Promise of Development: South Africa in comparative perspective is taking place at Wits University on 15 and…
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Just Transition

Campaign | Joburg Basic Services for All

With reference to Tracy Ledger's recent work on basic services in South Africa, and particularly the City of Johannesburg, PARI ran a…
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Gallery | State Capture and Corruption in Africa Workshop

Workshop | State Capture and Corruption in Africa: Towards critical engagement with anti-corruption policy 8–9 May 2025 Wits Club, University of the…
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State Reform

Public comment | Public Service Amendment Bill 2023: Submission to the NCOP

Public Service Amendment Bill : Submission of public comment to the National Council of Provinces Submitted by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) and The…
Local GovernmentState Reform

Submission | White Paper on Local Government Review Process

White Paper on Local Government Review Process Submission on the White Paper Review Discussion Document The Department of Cooperative Government (DCOG) is currently reviewing the…
Just Transition

Op Ed | South Africa urged to firm up developmental vision for universal electricity access

Image: Bram Lammers/2021/De Aar/Family uses electricity for heating   A leading advocate for the provision of free basic electricity (FBE) to poor South African households…

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Spotlight on Johannesburg

Some of our work across programmes focuses on the City of Johannesburg, what’s gone wrong and what needs to happen.

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Our Work

PARI Programmes

Current programmes: Land Governance, State Reform, Local Government, Just Transition, Compact – Municipal planning, participation and accountability

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