The Progressive Initiative was an organisation aimed at developing and promoting new political ideas in South Africa. The PI was formed in 2007 by a group of progressive South Africans who believed that the key to tackling the socio-economic challenges facing South Africa was progressive thought and innovative solutions. The PI never registered political party in South Africa and was dissolved in 2013.
The Principles of the PI were to acknowledge and promote: the fundamental human rights and freedoms of every person; the right to protection by the state from crime and violence; the rejection of all forms of discrimination; equality before the law; the right of all people to private ownership and the protection thereof; the supremacy of the South African constitution and the rule of law; the separation and independence of the legislature, judiciary and government and a clear division between the ruling party and the state; the right of all citizens to access affordable food, housing, education and medical treatment; a representative and accountable government elected through free, fair and transparent elections; freedom of speech and a free independent media; a free market economy.
The objectives of the organisation are to: create and develop new political ideas relating to the governing of the Republic of South Africa; create awareness of, and build support for these new political ideas; promote political awareness and discourse among South Africans; make participation in politics more accessible to all the citizens of the Republic of South Africa.
The PI's present focus is on promoting discourse around and building support for the establishment of an autonomous special administrative region within South Africa. This goal of creating The Southern African Special Administrative Region is being sought through negotiation with South Africa’s national and regional governments.
The concept of a special administrative region in southern African is based in the theory of Paul Romer, professor of economics at Stanford University. Romer proposes founding many new charter cities on the coasts of developing countries. These cities would be run according to business-friendly rules and could create jobs for many millions of people. Romer argues that rich nations should guarantee the enforcement of rules in charter cities, while developing countries would provide the land.
Other initiatives of the PI include a process of urban renewal of South Africa's cities and the pursuit of direct democracy