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23 September 2008

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The scenarios launched by Policy Co-ordination and Advisory Services (PCAS) on 23 September entitled South Africa 2025: The Future We Chose? are sequels to the similar initiative resulting in scenarios for 2014 entitled Memories of the Future?

The launch was workshopped with select members of the core team who have been involved from the beginning, and some of the people in strategic positions in government, civil society and the private sector who were interviewed as part of the process, and members of the media.

Why this exercise at this time?

The earlier exercise was initiated by Cabinet in 2002 with the approach of the end of the mandated term of the government elected in 1999. The scenarios for 2014 were intended to contribute to national discussion about policy options for the decade ahead and to planning within government.

The experience encouraged Cabinet in 2006 to set a similar process in motion, for completion at this time. We believe that the circulation of these scenarios will enhance the national debate about South Africa's future.

What do you think is the most likely scenario?

These are not predictions, but descriptions of possible futures that have been constructed to help the planning process. We may do considerably better than any of the most optimistic elements described in any of the three scenarios. This depends on the social actors.

How have these scenarios been produced?

As with the 2002 Scenarios exercise, the Policy Unit in the Presidency co-ordinated this exercise. A broadly constituted core team was assembled, and interviews were conducted with 65 individuals in politics, business, unions, academics, arts and in the sporting arenas. During this process, there have been three presentations to cabinet, two to FOSAD, and one to the ANC NEC.

The entire exercise included commissioning 22 research papers, several consultative workshops and hosting a research conference.

How will they be used in government?

The scenarios are being distributed to national departments and other spheres of government, to assist in planning processes. PCAS will conduct workshops across government. Scenarios will assist the planning processes in departments. They do so by focusing attention on ways in which the key factors which are likely to shape the future could impact on their areas of responsibility, so that they can take advantage of positive factors and minimise the impact of negative ones. They also help planners think about areas of uncertainty and prepare for them.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge with gratitude the contributions from members of the Core Team, interviewees, researchers and German technical support agency GTZ.

The scenarios are available on the following websites: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za or http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=89109.

Issued by: The Presidency
23 September 2008