Overview
We have led the Secretariat for the Dinokeng Scenarios project, a new look at South Africa’s future, 15 years after the advent of democracy.
From the Dinokeng website:
South Africa stands today at a crossroads. Since 1994 we have made great strides towards a democratic and more prosperous society. But we have also made many mistakes that could become critical if not addressed.
If we, as South African citizens, do not energetically engage with a more capable government to set the country on a path of renewal, we may well face disintegration, decay and compromise our democratic system.
This is the message of the Dinokeng Scenario Team, a diverse group of 35 South Africans from civil society, government, various political parties, trade unions, business, religious groups, academia, and the media.
The Dinokeng Scenario Team engaged in robust debate about both the present and the future of South Africa. Despite their divergent views, they are bound by a common commitment to the values of the Constitution, an acknowledgement of South Africa’s bitter legacy, and a deep concern about how they, as citizens and leaders, can contribute to a sustainable future for all South Africans. The key question posed by the scenarios is this: “How can South Africans address the country’s critical challenges before they destroy the country’s accomplishments?”
Dinokeng is a Sepedi word meaning a “place of rivers”. It is also a catchment area in the north-eastern corner of Gauteng where the scenario team met for three three-day workshops over the course of four months.
The Dinokeng Scenarios exercise is sponsored by Old Mutual and Nedbank who are committed to creating an opportunity for healthy debate about the future of the country. “It is an initiative conducted in the public interest,” said Bob Head, who represented Old Mutual and Nedbank in the exercise. The agenda and product was determined by the Scenario Team, not by the sponsors.
The scenarios team was brought together by six convenors, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, who chairs the convenor group, The Most Reverend Njongonkulu Ndungane, Mr Bob Head, Ms Graça Machel, Dr Vincent Maphai, and Mr Rick Menell.
For more information, please see the project website.