The Helen Suzman Foundation unhesitatingly acknowledges the need for fundamental reforms to redress the inequalities of the past. But we strongly believe that this goal cannot be achieved by persistent state intervention that further disempowers the poor, leaves them dependent on state transfers and reduces their self-reliance and pride in individual effort.



Against this background, the mission of The Helen Suzman Foundation is to:



· Remain rigorously independent of any political party



·Recognise the severe challenges faced by the government and support it in areas where its policies are sound, responsive to social needs and likely to strengthen democracy



· Vigorously criticise governance and policy in South Africa (and the region) where they prejudice development, dignity, the basic rights of individuals and the special needs of the poor, cultural minorities and the powerless



· Clearly formulate and promote the benefits of freedom for all in the pursuit of sustainable growth and prosperity



· Help empower disadvantaged people to take control of their lives



· Carry out applied policy research so that practical policy alternatives are continuously fed into the political debate



·Analyse the dangers to open and responsive democracy and civic freedom in South Africa (and the region)



·Expand its publishing activities in order to help promote a more vigorous public debate. The Foundation's journal Focus is one of a dwindling number of smaller, independent publications left in South Africa, at a time when a muscular and uninhibited civic culture is required.



These aspects include a drive for comprehensive economic regulation and state control of society. Combating the legacy of racial inequality is essential, but it is being engineered in ways that create new inequalities and weaken trust, economic vitality and governmental capacity. An unrelenting emphasis on the legacy of apartheid has generated a pervasive political correctness that inhibits free political expression and often negates the richness of South Africa’s cultural diversity. Many South Africans feel that government is not sufficiently focused on issues such as the alarmingly high levels of poverty, unemployment, crime and endemic disease, including HIV/Aids.