Approaches to problem-solving biggest risk for future of work in SA

Dr Morne Mostert, director of The Institute for Futures Research.

The biggest risks of the future of work in South Africa lies in the social paradigms and approaches to problem-solving, says Dr Morne Mostert, director of The Institute for Futures Research (IFR) at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB).

“We are at a delicate point in our history, with increasing uncertainty. South Africa is already viewed in many quarters as the protest capital of the world and the most unequal society on earth.”

Mostert recently presented a set of scenarios that captures possible futures for South Africa at a conference hosted by the International Organisation of Employers (OIE) in Madrid, Spain. The initial research was sponsored by Business Unity South Africa (BUSA).

“At the moment, South Africa finds itself in a scenario where we are deeply factionalist and practice exceptionalism. We see justification of deeply dysfunctional behaviour based on the paradigm that ‘South Africa is different’ and we sense ever-deepening divides between government, big business, labour and civil society. It is not conducive to economic growth or social stability and it constrains our ability to create economic opportunities,” he says.

Doris Viljoen, senior futurist at the IFR, says: “South Africa is entering its traditional ‘strike season’, when labour unions negotiate annual increases through collective bargaining. In 2017 and for the near future, our economy cannot afford any work days lost. Now is the time to seek real cohesion and collaboration between business, organised labour, government and civil society.

“Government should not primarily aim to create jobs; it should rather focus on creating a supportive and enabling environment where entrepreneurs, both big and small, can do business. In my experience we have amazing entrepreneurs in our country, willing to do (and keep on doing) business. Entrepreneurial activities will move South Africa closer to a scenario where we grow the economy through surfing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and create the economic opportunities that our people so desperately need.”

Futurists believe that the future is not determined or final; it can and should be designed. Morne urges leaders to actively seek cohesion. “The seeds for a cohesive society that surfs the 4th Industrial Revolution already exist. Influential role players have both the opportunity and the moral obligation to act now.”