Alan Hirsch
@alanhirsch.bsky.social
Working on African migration governance & Europe-Africa migration relations; also SA and African economic development. New South Institute, UCT and SOAS. Member of President Ramaphosa's Economic Advisory Council. Orlando Pirates, Chelsea, & Springboks.
How can continental African initiatives and institutions drive an agenda for freer, regular migration by Africans across African borders? Victor Amadi and I investigated this: nsi.org.za/publications...
New Report: African Continental Initiatives for Mobility
This NSI report examines how the African Union's Free Movement Protocol and AfCFTA impact migration governance and mobility across Africa, analysing legal frameworks, implementation gaps, and reform p...
nsi.org.za
October 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
How can continental African initiatives and institutions drive an agenda for freer, regular migration by Africans across African borders? Victor Amadi and I investigated this: nsi.org.za/publications...
Lots to learn from the East African experience of migration governance reform. Mostly positive lessons, but still a considerable to-do list.
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UokKC0go6L...
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UokKC0go6L...
East African countries and open borders: great strides, but still a long way to go
The East African Community has been ambitious in creating a regional common market. This includes making it easy for people to move between countries.
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Lots to learn from the East African experience of migration governance reform. Mostly positive lessons, but still a considerable to-do list.
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UokKC0go6L...
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/UokKC0go6L...
My report on migration governance reform in East Africa is finally out!
nsi.org.za/publications...
nsi.org.za/publications...
NSI Report Assesses Uneven Migration Reform in the East African Community
The New South Institute’s latest report reviews migration reform in the East African Community, highlighting progress in free movement and border integration, but noting uneven implementation and inst...
nsi.org.za
July 11, 2025 at 10:05 AM
My report on migration governance reform in East Africa is finally out!
nsi.org.za/publications...
nsi.org.za/publications...
My new report on migration governance reform in East Africa is finally out. nsi.org.za/publications...
NSI Report Assesses Uneven Migration Reform in the East African Community
The New South Institute’s latest report reviews migration reform in the East African Community, highlighting progress in free movement and border integration, but noting uneven implementation and inst...
nsi.org.za
July 11, 2025 at 10:04 AM
My new report on migration governance reform in East Africa is finally out. nsi.org.za/publications...
My review of Andrew Sillen's story of a man enslaved at sea during the American Civil War is out. It'sa rollicking naval yarn and a passionate critique of apologist versions of the story and of the Civil War. It also shows the global dimensions of this domestic conflict.
epubs.ac.za/index.php/ne...
epubs.ac.za/index.php/ne...
Kidnapped at Sea: The Single War Voyage of Davide Henry White
| New Agenda: South African Journal of Social and Economic Policy
epubs.ac.za
April 4, 2025 at 8:45 AM
My review of Andrew Sillen's story of a man enslaved at sea during the American Civil War is out. It'sa rollicking naval yarn and a passionate critique of apologist versions of the story and of the Civil War. It also shows the global dimensions of this domestic conflict.
epubs.ac.za/index.php/ne...
epubs.ac.za/index.php/ne...
I recently reviewed an interesting book on refugee reception in South Africa.
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jliOCElX5x...
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jliOCElX5x...
Zambia and South Africa have very different rules for refugees. What can we learn from this?
Published in South African Journal of International Affairs (Ahead of Print, 2025)
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I recently reviewed an interesting book on refugee reception in South Africa.
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jliOCElX5x...
url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/jliOCElX5x...
Isn't it time to speak out? @drodrik.bsky.social on the necessity of confronting Trump.
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/w...
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/w...
When Will US Academia and Business Speak Up Against Trump? | by Dani Rodrik - Project Syndicate
Dani Rodrik argues that leaders in both sectors bear a disproportionate responsibility to come to democracy's defense.
www.project-syndicate.org
March 30, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Isn't it time to speak out? @drodrik.bsky.social on the necessity of confronting Trump.
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/w...
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/w...
Reposted by Alan Hirsch
More than four hectares of prime land across the boundary of Green Point and Sea Point are to be auctioned off by the City of Cape Town for mixed-use development which includes affordable housing.
Read groundup.org.za/article/city... by Matthew Hirsch and Steve Kretzmann
Read groundup.org.za/article/city... by Matthew Hirsch and Steve Kretzmann
City of Cape Town proposes affordable housing on prime Green Point site
The land value of the site ranks “among the highest in the southern hemisphere”
groundup.org.za
March 27, 2025 at 8:24 AM
More than four hectares of prime land across the boundary of Green Point and Sea Point are to be auctioned off by the City of Cape Town for mixed-use development which includes affordable housing.
Read groundup.org.za/article/city... by Matthew Hirsch and Steve Kretzmann
Read groundup.org.za/article/city... by Matthew Hirsch and Steve Kretzmann
I have recently been honoured with an appointment to Minister Godongwana's G20 Africa Expert Panel. I hope we can make a useful contribution
acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...
acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...
Adobe Acrobat
acrobat.adobe.com
March 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I have recently been honoured with an appointment to Minister Godongwana's G20 Africa Expert Panel. I hope we can make a useful contribution
acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...
acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:...
We are pleased to announce that our New South Institute paper on the movement of people in ECOWAS (West African Community) by Victor Amadi has just been published.
nsi.org.za/publications...
nsi.org.za/publications...
An Analysis of Migration Governance Frameworks in West Africa - New South Institute
The New South Institute (NSI) is pleased to announce the publication of “An Analysis of Migration Governance Frameworks in West Africa: The Role of ECOWAS in Facilitating Free Movement and Regional In...
nsi.org.za
February 20, 2025 at 7:47 AM
We are pleased to announce that our New South Institute paper on the movement of people in ECOWAS (West African Community) by Victor Amadi has just been published.
nsi.org.za/publications...
nsi.org.za/publications...
A French version of my article on global trends in migration policy and practice.
theconversation.com/politiques-a...
theconversation.com/politiques-a...
Politiques anti-immigration : pourquoi les règles drastiques de Trump et d'autres pays riches ne dureront pas
sans main-d'œuvre immigrée, les pays du Nord sont confrontés à des difficultés économiques.
theconversation.com
February 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A French version of my article on global trends in migration policy and practice.
theconversation.com/politiques-a...
theconversation.com/politiques-a...
Great primer on American aid cuts/disruptions by @kopalo.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/kenopalo...
open.substack.com/pub/kenopalo...
On American aid cuts/disruptions
When the music stops, those who’ve outsourced their ambitions get exposed
open.substack.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Great primer on American aid cuts/disruptions by @kopalo.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/kenopalo...
open.substack.com/pub/kenopalo...
While I understand and condemn the awful impact of current actions against migrants, I think south to north migrants will have the last laugh theconversation.com/anti-immigra...
Anti-immigration policies: why harsh new rules put in place by Trump and other rich countries won’t last
Global north policies are increasingly nasty but these countries are ageing fast - without migrant labour, they face economic hardship.
theconversation.com
January 30, 2025 at 11:03 AM
While I understand and condemn the awful impact of current actions against migrants, I think south to north migrants will have the last laugh theconversation.com/anti-immigra...
Here, at last, is an article which places the zama zama story in historical, regional and social context. It wasn't simply opportunism that drove the zama zamas. Rosalind Morris explains why.
theconversation.com/informal-min...
theconversation.com/informal-min...
Informal mining in South Africa is here to stay. Police brutality won’t end it – here’s what will
South Africa’s police have resorted to medieval military tactics against illegal miners. But the solution lies elsewhere: massive regional economic repair.
theconversation.com
January 23, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Here, at last, is an article which places the zama zama story in historical, regional and social context. It wasn't simply opportunism that drove the zama zamas. Rosalind Morris explains why.
theconversation.com/informal-min...
theconversation.com/informal-min...
Looking forward to my first offering at ICT's summer school at the end of January. Two lectures on fantasy and fact in migration policy.
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
summerschool.uct.ac.za
January 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Looking forward to my first offering at ICT's summer school at the end of January. Two lectures on fantasy and fact in migration policy.
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
Why is immigration such a sensitive issue? Do governments misunderstand the facts or just ignore them? What should they do? Come to my lectures at UCT Summer School on 31 Jan and 1 Feb for a great conversation.
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
Fantasy and fact in immigration politics and policy | University of Cape Town
FANTASY AND FACT IN IMMIGRATION POLITICS AND POLICY Emeritus Professor Alan Hirsch, Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town; Senior Research Fellow New South Institute; Pro...
summerschool.uct.ac.za
January 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Why is immigration such a sensitive issue? Do governments misunderstand the facts or just ignore them? What should they do? Come to my lectures at UCT Summer School on 31 Jan and 1 Feb for a great conversation.
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
summerschool.uct.ac.za/fantasy-and-...
I enjoyed this conversation with Ivan Martin on migration governance within and between Europe and Africa, facilitated by Imane Lahrich at the Policy Center for the New South. I hope this conversation will continue between the PCNS and the New South Institute.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zl...
Migration, Development, and Power Asymmetries - Perspectives from Africa and Europe
YouTube video by Policy Center for the New South
www.youtube.com
December 20, 2024 at 9:15 AM
I enjoyed this conversation with Ivan Martin on migration governance within and between Europe and Africa, facilitated by Imane Lahrich at the Policy Center for the New South. I hope this conversation will continue between the PCNS and the New South Institute.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zl...
I have a new essay out called 'Migration governance paradoxes and realistic pathways: An African perspective' in a collection published by the Policy Center for the New South. See here (where it is available at a price): www.policycenter.ma/publications...
ATLANTIC CURRENTS 11th edition
The 11 edition of Atlantic Currents explores the evolving dynamics within the Atlantic region. As the world grapples with profound transformations and unprecedented challenges, the Atlantic Basin emer...
www.policycenter.ma
December 17, 2024 at 11:52 AM
I have a new essay out called 'Migration governance paradoxes and realistic pathways: An African perspective' in a collection published by the Policy Center for the New South. See here (where it is available at a price): www.policycenter.ma/publications...
A cheat's guide to Cop 29 outcomes. All you need to know without sensationalism.
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024...
COP29: Multilateral rules-based regime still works at climate talks, sort of
There is growing scepticism about how long the current COP process can continue without significant changes. I agree there’s a problem, but is there a credible, practicable alternative?
www.dailymaverick.co.za
December 13, 2024 at 9:17 AM
A cheat's guide to Cop 29 outcomes. All you need to know without sensationalism.
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024...
What do Africans think about migrants. Are Africans hostile to migrants or is the problem that governments stand in the way of greater mobility? This paper set out to engage with these questions using a Delphi survey of experts and policymakers.
www.boell.de/sites/defaul...
www.boell.de/sites/defaul...
www.boell.de
December 4, 2024 at 6:38 AM
What do Africans think about migrants. Are Africans hostile to migrants or is the problem that governments stand in the way of greater mobility? This paper set out to engage with these questions using a Delphi survey of experts and policymakers.
www.boell.de/sites/defaul...
www.boell.de/sites/defaul...
Interesting that the DM of Home Affairs in SA says that the White Paper on on Citizenship, Immigration, & Refugee Protection which went through cabinet in April, before the election, is being reviewed to address the concerns of 'stakeholders'. Is this a formal process?
www.dha.gov.za/index.php/st...
www.dha.gov.za/index.php/st...
Department of Home Affairs - Statement delivered by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Njabulo Nzuza at the high-level segment of the 115th session of the IOM Council
The DHA is custodian, protector and verifier of the identity and status of citizens and other persons resident in South Africa. This makes it possible for people to realize their rights and access ben...
www.dha.gov.za
November 29, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Interesting that the DM of Home Affairs in SA says that the White Paper on on Citizenship, Immigration, & Refugee Protection which went through cabinet in April, before the election, is being reviewed to address the concerns of 'stakeholders'. Is this a formal process?
www.dha.gov.za/index.php/st...
www.dha.gov.za/index.php/st...
Here’s a valuable new paper on labour migration pathways for Europe
odi.org/en/publicati...
odi.org/en/publicati...
Expanding legal pathways for labour immigration
This report looks at labour immigration to the European Union and the European Commission’s efforts to provide legal pathways to workers to help respond to European labour and skills shortages.
odi.org
November 28, 2024 at 11:02 AM
Here’s a valuable new paper on labour migration pathways for Europe
odi.org/en/publicati...
odi.org/en/publicati...
Here is a new paper on the persistence of wealth inequality in South Africa with very disurbing findings
eprints.lse.ac.uk/125939/
eprints.lse.ac.uk/125939/
Inherited wealth in post-apartheid South Africa: new perspectives from probate records - LSE Research Online
eprints.lse.ac.uk
November 27, 2024 at 12:48 PM
Here is a new paper on the persistence of wealth inequality in South Africa with very disurbing findings
eprints.lse.ac.uk/125939/
eprints.lse.ac.uk/125939/