Alan Hirsch

Since working in government & leading the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, researching African migration governance reform at New South Institute.

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

Time to take a stand against anti-immigrant violence https://t.co/G3ZsYdqSmw

[New South Institute (NSI) @the_nsi]

In a recent interview with @trtworld, the Head of the Migration Governance Reform in Africa programme at the New South Institute (NSI), @AlanHirsch2, reflected on the deeper structural issues shaping the current moment, from unemployment and poverty to housing pressures and public frustration with government systems.

Rather than reducing the issue to simplistic narratives about migrants “taking jobs,” Alan argued for a more honest conversation about economic stagnation, political leadership, and the need for credible, effective migration governance.

The discussion also explored how South Africa can respond to undocumented migration without fuelling hostility or violence against foreign nationals.

Watch the full interview here: https://t.co/Z3q9Qx4H90

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

Dani Rodrik's new book on finding progressive ways out of the current global impasse is challenging and important. I reviewed his book here--reprints accessible.
Full article: Shared Prosperity in a Fractured World https://t.co/wZiIyP516N

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

@AbsaSouthAfrica I tried again to use the Absa number to access internet services and within about 10 seconds of getting through to the right person I was cut off and invited to rate the service. Of course I rated it 0+0+0. What is wrong with your systems?

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

I cannot believe the absolute incompetence and inefficiency of @AbsaSouthAfrica customer services. I changed to an e-sim and have been prevented from making urgent payment. I called Absa six times this morning, and was cut off repeatedly when I finally reached the right person!

[shuaib manjra 🇵🇸🇨🇺🇪🇭 @ShuaibManjra]

Since @news24 invisibilised this excellent letter, be sure to read it. It exposes both N24 and the signatories

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Imraan Coovadia, Steven Robins: Sooliman doctorate: UCT got it right https://t.co/2RoVhNpeSe

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

@AbsaSouthAfrica Thank you. I wrote and got an acknowledgement and reference number. Hoping for the best.

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

@AbsaSouthAfrica This DM button does not work on my phone. Don't know why. Can you give me an email address or another way to contact you? As I am a longstanding client of AbsaPB, you will have my email address.

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

Bring on Revolut!

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

One of @MandelaUCT's many high achieving graduates. Congratulations @Siviwe_G!

[Liz McGregor @lizmcgregor]

Congratulations, Minister @Siviwe_G !
@AlanHirsch2 @MandelaUCT 👏👏

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

So proud of our outstanding, high achieving graduates!

[The Nelson Mandela School @MandelaUCT]

#UCTGrad2026 | Halala to the Master of Development Policy and Practice students & the PhD candidate as you celebrate a significant academic milestone in your journeys today. We look forward to seeing the impact you will continue to make in your respective fields and communities.

[New South Institute (NSI) @the_nsi]

There is a lot of attention on AI and its impact on productivity and jobs. There is also concern about rapidly aging populations in the global north. Politicians and policy makers are increasingly worried and confused about what to do about migrants seeking jobs in their countries and the impact on society and politics. But how do these issues fit together, and what are their key impacts on, and implications for, developing countries, the global south?

This working paper by @AlanHirsch2 (New South Institute) explores these connections, asking how these trends might be managed in ways that are mutually beneficial for both richer and poorer countries.

We invite you to read and engage with this latest paper from the New South Institute.
https://t.co/SuAS0RMgwf @UNmigration @BrookingsInst @IMFNews @WorldBankGroup @WorldBankAfrica

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

@anthonybut @anthonybut asks some awkward but important questions about Mandela's presidency.

[Anthony Butler @anthonybut]

How effectively did Nelson Mandela exercise presidential leadership? https://t.co/ceuN95WLxk

[New South Institute (NSI) @the_nsi]

How should South Africa position itself in a shifting global migration debate?

At a recent roundtable in Cape Town, the New South Institute (NSI), in collaboration with partners, hosted IOM Director-General Amy Pope alongside leading migration scholars and policymakers. Led by @AlanHirsch2, the discussion focused on governance challenges in Southern Africa and the importance of evidence-based reform.

As South Africa advances its migration policy, the conversation highlighted a key point: migration must be understood, and managed, through data, regional cooperation, and practical implementation, not anecdote.

@AmyEPope @UNmigration @IOMchief @UCT_news @MandelaUCT @Leon_Schreib @HomeAffairsSA
https://t.co/L1l6LPsJai

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

@BelindaJDodson There are some dissertations which I'd have prefered to have been more reliant on AI! Judiously, of course.

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

@DenzilTaylor Very sad.

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

Why is the relationship between AI, demography and migration important, and how should we plan for future trends? Here's my @the_nsi overview paper trying to connect and think through these issues.
https://t.co/E10TbkDYPY

[Alan Hirsch @AlanHirsch2]

When I ran a grad school at UCT I was frustrated when rules prevented us from hiring the best person for the job. E.g. a Lesotho woman would have to make way for a white male from SA. Huh? Too many foreigners?
https://t.co/eKrxzYDGbY

[New South Institute (NSI) @the_nsi]

The New South Institute collaboratively convened a roundtable in Cape Town with IOM Director-General Amy Pope and leading migration researchers to discuss governance challenges in Southern Africa.

@AlanHirsch2 led the discussion, reflecting on the emerging concept of route-based approaches and their implications for regional cooperation and migration policy.