​​The University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), the Institute for ​Futures Research (IFR) and USB-Executive Development (USB-ED) hosted an event to celebrate Africa Day last week.

Dean of Stellenbosch University's Economic and Management Sciences faculty Prof Stan du Plessis said: "The hockey stick of history for many societies in Africa is bending upwards – more dramatically than it did for the currently rich world in past decades."

This is illustrated by the fact that the majority of the world's fast-growing economies are now found on the African continent.

"Such unprecedented change brings both unprecedented risk and disruption, but also unprecedented opportunities. We need to think through the possible futures for societies on our continent as it integrates with the global economy.

"The purpose of such long-term grappling with the possible future is to understand how the path of decisions that start with each of us leads to different possible outcomes for ourselves, our companies and our societies," concluded Du Plessis.

"What is needed is an extensive examination of how thinking, strategy and decision-making in Africa may be distinct from the West," said futurist and systems thinker Dr Morne Mostert. The Institute for Futures Research, headed by Mostert, will start a new initiative to support his call.

Other speakers included Prof Charles Adjasi, head of the Development Finance programmes at USB, and Frik Landman, CEO of USB-ED. 

In the picture: Prof Stan du Plessis, Prof Charles Adjasi, Dr Morne Mostert and Frik Landman.