This report seeks to consolidate existing knowledge of SPNs and the policy formation dynamics in South Africa in order to argue for government programmes that take into account the needs of its citizens including dignified livelihoods.

As we concentrate national initiatives on Covid-19 recovery, the systemic eradication of poverty must be the greatest priority, or reconstruction will not succeed. This lies at the heart of the Decent Standard of Living research, and other recent national poverty studies. In the Fifth Annual DSL Colloquium 2020, we ask: how will poverty shape our future in SA?

This submission is based on the report submitted by SPI to the United Nation’s Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UN CESCR) on the implementation of UN CESCR’s recommendation to South Africa on the necessity of adopting a composite index on the cost of living. This submission reflects the agreed position of SPI and CHR on the development of a composite index on the cost of an adequate standard of living by South Africa.

On 27 September 2013, Studies in Poverty and Inequality (SPII) and the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES) held the first consultative team meeting to discuss a National Minimum Living Level. The meeting was held at NEDLAC House, Rosebank, Johannesburg. Presenters and individuals that attended the meeting have an interest in a Minimum Living and were advocating for it in their respective institutions.

This policy brief provides a synopsis of the most salient discussion through the four presentations that were delivered at the Social Dialogue, which will form the foundation for future national discussions and debates.

This research presents a Decent Standard of Living (DSL) and a DSL Index (DSLI) for South Africa. It is based on a concept for relative poverty that focuses on the ability of people to achieve a socially determined acceptable standard of living to enable them to participate fully in society.