Liberal economics organisation the Free Market Foundation (FMF) has appointed David Ansara as its new CE.

He will lead the renewal of the organisation in line with the principles of classical liberalism in the new year, FMF chairperson Rex van Schalkwyk said during a media briefing on November 1.

The renewal aims to ensure the FMF explores new avenues for action into the future and plays a constructive role in the economy, while remaining relevant to its liberal democratic principles as the basis for its classical liberal economics principles, he said.

Ansara is currently serving as executive director of the liberal advocacy organisation Institute of Race Relations' Centre For Risk Analysis and will assume his position at the FMF with effect from January 1.

The FMF has a 47-year record of promoting a market economy and fostering an open society, the rule of law and individual liberties more broadly. It is a strong and vocal advocate for democratic human rights, Van Schalkwyk noted.

“I think the FMF plays a critical role in advocating for the role of the private sector and free enterprise. Growth is the greatest engine of transformation in society, and we are not focusing enough on the power of growth to transform the lives of individuals,” said Ansara.

“We represent the people who are trying to make ends meet and improve themselves and their families. We understand the power of markets to drive prosperity and growth and are therefore fighting to reduce barriers to trade, defend traders, small enterprises and those who do not have a voice or collective bargaining power,” he added.

In addition, he said that, with freedom comes responsibility, and economic freedom requires hard work. Economic freedom is about creating opportunities by removing impediments to economic activity.

"As a small organisation, we will use lobbying to remove the impediments that characterise the current policy framework," he explained.

Growth will lead to prosperity for all South Africans, he added.

Further, Ansara said his first objectives when starting will be to look at the FMF's internal systems and structures, with a view to make changes to the governance and management structure to ensure the organisation is lean and efficient while it remains focused on its objectives of informing economic policy and amplifying the case for individual liberty in the public domain.

“For any think tank, scholarly integrity is important, but we need to think about how we can instrumentalise the research to achieve positive outcomes in society. The second pillar of the renewal strategy is to develop a renewed public communications and relations strategy for the organisation,” he said.

“David is a deeply committed classical liberal who brings an excellent track record; a well-respected and regarded reputation; and considered, informed intelligence to the role. He is a strong advocate for individual liberty and market-based approaches to public policy,” said Van Schalkwyk.

“David is a natural leader who believes that free enterprise, private property rights, and the rule of law are indispensable elements of an open, flourishing society.”