Page 10 - Risk Report 2024

IRMSA
10 RISK REPORT 2024/25

5. Executive Summary

Our national resilience – that aspirational identity underpinned by optimistic conversations
which collectively defines the ‘Rainbow Nation’ – seems to be nearing a catastrophic
tipping point.

With local, regional, and global polycrises dynamically
evolving into permacrises, South Africans may struggle
to remain courageous, and solutions oriented; to face
the future with positive creativity and without despair.
However, from the contributions to this Report an
additional trend emerged: one of optimism, youthful
positivity, and a willingness to effect change despite (or
perhaps in the face of) our challenges.

This emerging balancing act between vulnerability and
resilience, prompted a reconsideration of the future
scenarios for South Africa, building on the recognition
that we cannot wait for a few leaders to come to our
rescue, but rather that ordinary South Africans and
organisations will have to lead from where they stand.

These scenarios include the following:
• In the worst scenario, ‘Everyone is in it for themselves’,
a vulnerable South Africa continues to flounder in an
increasingly vulnerable world.
• Reminiscent of the past decade, in the next scenario,
‘Will the real leaders please stand up?’ an increasingly
vulnerable South Africa lags as the world becomes
more resilient.
• Driven by younger voices, the third scenario,
‘Some young leaders taking charge’ offers hope, a
CHRISTOPHER PALM future where South Africa is more resilient than a
Fellow vulnerable world.
Chief Risk Advisor • In the best scenario, ‘Everyone leading from where
IRMSA they stand’, an increasingly resilient South Africa
influences its own, SADC, African, and global
resilience positively.

Our national resilience – that aspirational identity

underpinned by optimistic conversations which

collectively defines the ‘Rainbow Nation’ – seems to be

nearing a catastrophic tipping point.