South Africa stands at the edge of a precipice. Almost thirty years after its first democratic election, poor policy and rampant corruption have left the country standing on the brink of becoming a failed state.
In this thought-provoking book, Recuing Our Republic, Bronwyn Williams and Ludwig Raal interview a diverse group of public intellectuals, business leaders and political mavericks to discuss tangible ways South Africa can rescue itself from itself. Through a series of illuminating conversations, a group of independent thinkers explore the root causes of South Africa’s problems and offer insightful – and radical – ways to solve them.
From addressing land reform and economic development to rooting out corruption and overhauling political institutions, the conversations in this book come together as a roadmap towards a better South Africa that leaves no one behind. While the challenges facing the young democracy are immense, these experts provide hope and inspiration towards productive actions that we can take together to build a brighter future.
Here’s a list of the people interviewed in the book and the topics covered …
Why nations succeed with Dr Adrian Saville
The promise of Africa beyond borders with Dr Débísí Àràbà
An antidote to the tragedy of the commons with Wandile Sihlobo
Property is a big deal with Lars Doucet
Democratisation of ownership with Charles Savage
The economic importance of optimism with Bruce Whitfield
Good neighbours with Giulietta Talevi
The perpetual struggle for democracy with Justice Malala
Measuring what matters with Malcolm Ray
A new vision for South Africa with Songezo Zibi
Beyond the Constitution with TK Pooe
BRONWYN WILLIAMS is a futurist, economist, and business trends analyst. As a partner at Flux Trends, she works with global private and public sector actors to convert forecasts into foresight. She is a regular global keynote speaker and media commentator on the future of money, markets, and management.
LUDWIG RAAL is an academic, charity entrepreneur, and the producer of Discourse ZA, a video and audio podcast that engages audiences in conversations on philosophy, economics, politics, and current affairs.
For anyone interested in understanding the complex issues facing South Africa today and how they can be addressed, Rescuing Our Republic is essential reading. It is a powerful reminder that the fate of a nation is not predetermined; that individuals, citizens and corporations still have powerful agency and that when that agency is directed towards the right ideas and actions, South Africa can still realise its full potential.
