South Africa first! Getting to Thuma Mina

Changing SA's Current Path prospects will ultimately require deliberate choices, determined implementation, leadership and some pain.

South Africa is growing more slowly than its peers. What can be done to turn its prospects around? This report diagnoses South Africa’s weak growth outlook to 2044. It then presents an alternative, aspirational vision for South Africa called Thuma Mina that is focused on spurring long-term growth by transforming health and education; resolving the electricity crisis in a way that enables modern industrialisation; and implementing land reform that unlocks greater agricultural potential.

About the authors

Alanna Markle joined the ISS in 2019 as a researcher with the African Futures & Innovation programme. Previously she was as a research analyst with the Frederick S Pardee Center for International Futures.

Jakkie Cilliers is the chairperson of the ISS Board of Trustees and heads the Institute’s programme on African Futures & Innovation. He founded the ISS and, until 2015, served as its executive director.

Picture: Amelia Broodryk/ISS adapted from Media Club