John Endres
John Endres is the CEO of the Institute of Race Relations (IRR). He holds a doctorate in commerce and economics from one of Germany’s leading business schools, the Otto Beisheim School of Management, as well as a Master’s in Translation Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand. John has extensive work experience in the retail and services industries as well as the non-profit sector, having previously worked for the liberal Friedrich Naumann Foundation and as founding CEO of Good Governance Africa, an advocacy organisation.
Articles By This Author
Why I’m more bullish on South Africa than Britain
A recent visit to the United Kingdom left me convinced that South Africa, despite all its glaring problems, has a more direct route to improvement than Britain. Both countries are stuck in low-growth traps. The difference lies in the nature of those traps and in how difficult they will be to escape.
Stephen, we don’t need to wait for history to judge Ramaphosa’s reforms
This piece, written in response to a recent article by Daily Maverick writer Stephen Grootes, was offered to, but declined by, the Daily Maverick.* Stephen Grootes is right that economic growth is the test of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s legacy. But the early returns are already in, and they point the other way.
Laying track for fast growth
Making an economy grow fast is like making a train go fast, and it depends on getting three things right: a powerful engine, a smooth track pointed in the right direction, and low friction along the way.
Taking the brakes off SA’s economy: the IRR’s Blueprint for Growth
By the end of this talk, you will be able to name exactly what is suppressing South Africa’s investment rate, and you will have a concrete reform agenda to argue for.
The dishonesty of the NHI defenders
The South African Communist Party (SACP) says that using the Constitutional Court to challenge the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act is “the ultimate definition of a political oxymoron.”
Liberalism as a technology
The title of this talk is “Holding the liberal centre in a time of polarisation.” It contains a claim that investors should pay attention to: that there is a liberal centre, that it is under threat from polarisation on the left and the right, and that holding it matters for the future of your capital.
Victory disease
Military historians have a term for what happens when armies start believing their own momentum. They call it “victory disease”.
The trouble with the new history curriculum
The Department of Basic Education has put a new draft history curriculum out for public comment. The window closes on 19 April. South Africans who care about what their children will learn have just a week to read the draft and make their views known.
A tale of two tensions
We’ve heard some fantastic talks over the last three days. I want to try bring together some key threads as we assess what we’ve heard.
Bozell means business
South Africa has a new US ambassador, and he is not here to please all of the people, all of the time. He is here