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.

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 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.

This Report documents the research findings, as well as the emerging issues that participants identified as being critical for the future work around a Decent Standard of Living (DSL) in South Africa.

Critical reflection on the Socially Perceived Necessities (SPNs) in attaining a Decent Standard of Living (DSL): Launch of the 2021 Post COVID Report on what constitutes a decent standard of living in South Africa.