The 2021 Colloquium is informed by the thinking that Socially Perceived Necessities (SPNs) despite their aspirational nature speak to the decent standard of living; as a quality of life desired by the majority of the population. It speaks to dignity. The fact that this measure was used 15 years ago, in 2006 in an FGD study and has been refreshed in 2021 via a telephonic survey points to the enduring nature of the research tool and its validity. Its relevance adds to the multi-dimensional poverty approach that signifies a shift from an economic model of measuring the standard of living to a socio-economic rights model that takes common people’s agency as social beings into consideration in policy making. It is this citizen facing theme on quality of life measure that reflects on the South African context of burgeoning poverty and class inequality for a majority of the population. Such a severe and long enduring problem has far reaching repercussions if left unattended to as evidenced by the recent, July 2021 civil unrest and looting. Therefore, we have an ethical obligation to highlight, learn from and offer possible solutions to some of these issues. Adopting various and multiple forms of vital interventions in order to properly contribute to policy and systems change for a more just and equitable reality is a worthy cause. Importantly, ways of pushing against neo liberal systems that have perpetuated racial and class inequalities is a step to ‘building back better’. In a society that seeks progressive realisation of dignified citizenship as enshrined in the Constitution, meeting the needs for a decent standard of living reflects a socioeconomic rights approach. For policymakers and implementers, there is much to be learned from this 2021 telephonic DSL research survey as it replicates lessons learnt from 2006. Thus, engagement with the complexity and nuance of what constitutes SPNs and how these can be useful instruments for reimagining policymaking can actually start a process of creation of better and more just realities, where the majority citizens are able to progressively access the constitutional right to dignity via a decent standard of living.
