Future Focus
F
Re-Imagining the Future
Writer Dr Mamphela Ramphele, co-founder of ReimagineSA
Do we want a society which plays by the old adage that “children should be seen and not heard”, or do we want to cultivate a world in which the youth’s innate creativity and curiosity are nurtured, where a sense of responsibility and stewardship permeates our humanity and where a better world for one is a better world for all?
If the latter option sounds Utopian, then consider that the world has seen how young people have risen to ask fundamental questions of their society and the global community. Africa’s youth, especially in this country, continue to play a critical role in challenging us to return to the essence of Africa’s value system: an inclusive, sustainable and sharing world. For this reason, I believe that
“re-imagining the future” needs to start right here on our beloved continent. We need to approach the debate on inclusive economies from the perspective of our rich heritage focused on human dignity, the common good and stewardship. The world has to shift its mindset from a “me” focus to a collective one.
• The wisdom to create a sustainable and inclusive world rests here: in Africa’s history as the cradle of humanity.
• Africa should be at the forefront of shifting mindsets towards more sustainable value systems, not following behind.
• Progressive political economy thinkers are returning to acknowledging that sustainability is only possible if anchored on promoting these values: human dignity, the common good and stewardship.
• Guiding young people to connect to the rich heritage of the past is essential to their understanding of how to shape the future to promote sustainable inclusion.
• Investing in personal development of Africa’s youth is essential to ensuring the emergence of a self-confident, creative and caring citizenry.
It is fortuitous that we are having this discussion here in Africa – our common cradle as the human race. We need to learn the lessons nature taught our ancestors, which enabled them to evolve into the global community we’re part of today.
Let us start with the following: what made Africa the cradle of humanity? And what were the elements that allowed human beings to evolve on this continent? Humans evolved in close proximity to nature. They learnt the lessons of the natural environment: the power of the sun, the wind and the value of using every resource with care to ensure sustainability and regeneration.
The world is now actively looking at mimicking nature to learn how best to utilise the scarce resources that are within the boundaries of the planetary system we inhabit. Nature is not wasteful. It does not plan obsolescence. It recycles and regenerates in order to provide sufficiently for all creatures, not only human beings.
Our development models can learn valuable lessons from Mother Nature. Africa is blessed
62 An Absa Investment publication
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