ABOUT YOU AS A FUTURES THINKER / PRACTITIONER

You identify yourself as an African futures thinker or practitioner. How would you describe to the woman or man on the street what it is that you do in this regard?

Continuously looking for new innovative methods to empower and equip the next generation of leaders whom will:
a) Take responsibility for who they are...
b) Realize that by being an agent of change themselves first, they can influence and impact those around them to be the same...
c) Understand the importance of working in a team...
d) Partner in relationship with others whom are already doing something that makes a difference...

How many years have you worked as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

Twelve Years

In which countries or places have you had working experience as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Germany, UK, Thailand

In what languages have you undertaken futures / foresight related work or research?

English

What is it that motivates you to work or participate in the foresight / future studies / related field

An inner realization that things turn out for the best for those who make the best out of the way things turn out...

What goal/s would you most like to reach with your work as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

A generation of African Leaders that are not consumed about their own success, but that of those around them...

Who or what most influenced your thinking as a futures thinker / practitioner, and how?

My involvement with my church, the World Evangelic Alliance Mission Commission, and my personal experiences as I travelled through some of these countries...

What is your main disciplinary background? (i.e. your primary training / qualification)

• Qualified Motor Mechanic
• Biblical Studies
• Organisational Leadership

How do other people describe you and how do you describe yourself?

Others describe me as… a visionary

I describe myself as… determined

YOUR PERSPECTIVE

What is one of your favourite quotes about the future?

"Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out."

How would you describe the state of African futures thinking right now?

I think there are a huge amount of great ideas, but lack of implementation...

What is, in your opinion, the main barrier to uptake of futures knowledge by African institutions and organisations?

Lack of leadership, real leadership in character, and not in a title.

If you were to give advice to someone who wants a career in African foresight / future studies, what would you say to him or her?

By having the position does not make you a futures thinker, but by being it right where you are in everyday life, you will be it, whether you have the title or not...

What are your recommended readings for every African futures thinker / practitioner?

• Leadership is Dead: How influence is reviving it (Jeremie Kubicek)
• The New Friars (Scott A. Bessenecker)
• Greater than Yourself (Steve Faber)
• Ordering your private world (Gordon MacDonald)
• Who is my neighbor? (Steve Moore)
• The Age Curve: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Storm (Kenneth W. Gronbach)