A Time Traveller's Guide to South Africa in 2030

by Frans Cronje

What will South Africa look like in 2030? And how will the next fifteen years unfold? South Africa has undergone dramatic change in recent years. Political tensions are on the up, economic performance has weakened, and more and more South Africans are taking their frustrations to the streets. What does this mean for our future? Will a spark ignite the powder keg? In this book, leading scenario planner Frans Cronje analyses the latest trends and presents four brand new scenarios for the country's future. Will South Africa take the socialist route and allow the state to seize all wealth and land? Will the status quo prevail, and the wealth divide widen while crime soars? Do we face a pernicious erosion of our democratic rights and freedoms? Or will a rainbow rise unexpectedly? Cronje's new set of scenarios is a sober compass for South Africa's highly unpredictable future.

Genres: Africa

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2017

Reviews

[V Janse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scenario planning is very different to predicting or forecasting. Frans Cronje gives the reader 4 scenarios that may play out in South Africa until 2030 and beyond.

Published in 2017, the book takes us through the process of scenario planning and specifically South Africa’s future. Cronje obliges us to take a step back and gain perspective of current events often distorted by the state or news agencies.

One can look out for ‘flags’ that point to their respective scenario. However Covid-19 has added a new dimension to South Africa’s dire situation.

Cronje gives clarity and useful guidance. I look forward to read his most recent book, ‘The Rise or Fall of South Africa’.

[Charles Siboto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scenario planner, Frans Cronje's follow up to his 2014 book, A Time Traveller's Guide to Our Next Ten Years looks into four scenarios that we could see playing out by 2030. The scenes are what he refers to as the Rise of the Right, the Tyranny of the Left, The Break-up and Rise of the Rainbow. Each of the four scenarios sees us living in a very different South Africa and after reading the book one realises that it would be foolish not to have plan in place for each of these possible outcomes. In his last book he gave some signposts for the reader to look out for to get a sense of where the country is headed. South Africans from all walks of life are clearly not satisfied with how the government is performing, especially young people who still remain largely unemployed or even unemployable. This is a recipe for disaster. In his first book Cronje did warn that one of the signs of dissatisfaction would be protests in the streets, especially by young people. We have seen all the protests over the last two years and that the government's answer to them is police brutality. Corruption runs deep within the ANC, the economy is receding, crime seems to be getting more violent and the government seems to be reeling from one disaster to the next when it comes to the country's electricity and water supplies. A Time Traveller's Guide to South Africa in 2030 is a must-read for every South African who wishes to carve out a good future for themselves in South Africa. Cronje also shows that there is quite a lot that ordinary citizens can do for themselves when the government won't and that the power to choose another government is still one that citizens wields.

[Su-Nam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was the first political book I've ever read and I surprised myself in how much I enjoyed it. It was fascinating reading about the big key aspects that shaped and are shaping South Africa and where we might be heading.

[Nic Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frans Cronje's 'A Time Traveller's Guide To South Africa In 2030' is an engaging and thought provoking read for all South Africans.

The book does well to sum up the current state of the country and explain the impact of what these events could mean for the future of South Africa and its citizens. Although it is impossible to predict what the future might hold, the reader does get the impression that a sound methodology is used to arrive at the four plausible scenarios that could play out in the year 2030.

South Africa faces many challenges and the way it deals with these challenges will ultimately determine its future. As a citizen it is important to be well informed and to be able to read the environment closely to make the best decisions for the future.

[Wilhelm Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommendable to anybody, who has a vested interest in South Africa’s future – not just politicians, pastors and parents. Frans Cronje follows some sober insights and unpacks the various scenarios, which are probable in the next decade. His approach could benefit all, who want to consider their various options as they face the daunting challenges of the coming elections and the next decade. I like his examples, which put the situation into some realistic context and don’t just depend on fears or hopes. The SAIRR seems to be a highly competent thinktank, which should receive the most attentive of audiences. This book is a good start for a serious discussion on future plans and prospects be it private or for business.

[Tania Kliphuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and thought-provoking exploration of what South Africa may look like in 2030, Cronje and his team present four different scenarios and then offer their opinion - based on certain markers - as to which of the four they think is most likely.

The point of this book seems to be to assist individuals, families and businesses to gauge their resilience in the face of all four scenarios, rather than to encourage a mass exodus to Australia, New Zealand or the UK!

Required reading for all South Africans who are interested in the current state of our nation, as well as what the experts believe is our probable future state.

[Anthony Kimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good and detailed depiction of what the current trends are in South Africa which leads the author to discuss four of the likely futures that South Africa will have by the year 2030. For those who will be in South Africa for the next 12 years or have an interest in the country will benefit from reading this book.

[Judith Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very accurate predictions

The book was generally well structured. Fascinating predictions,many of which we can watch unfolding now, in 2025. When I read this for the second or third time.

[Nicholas Woode-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for South Africans desiring a look at our recent past and our potential future.

[Tinus Van vuuren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all South Africans.
South Africa is falling apart politically and economically with the dream of the rainbow nation diminishing by the day.