Christelle Marais, the Project Lead for the 10th Edition of the IRMSA South Africa Risk Report 2024/25 will unpack the key message not only for risk managers, but for every South African who wishes to grow old in this country and to leave it intact for their children. The Risk Report tells a Tale of Two Cities (refer Charles Darwin’s book of the same title): In the One City, a smaller portion of society feels empowered and excited about the unfolding future, gathering pace on the wings of the ongoing technological revolution and new political possibilities. Yet in Another City, a larger portion of our nation remains excluded from the benefits of democracy and a more equalitarian world. The unprecedented results of the 2024 elections require individual citizens, political parties, the State, and corporates to create a future that will serve the interests of our entire nation.

A decade of Risk Reports shows that while we understand our risks and interpret them well, our urgent challenge is to respond to them appropriately. To overcome this, we must constantly build consensus and coordinated policy solutions. These solutions must be implemented promptly, consistently, and constantly to build public trust in the State and the economy. In challenging environments like South Africa, where inequality, poverty, and crime confront us every day, we cannot afford to be nonchalant; nor can we remain passive spectators. Now is the time for risk managers and all South Africans to become leaders in their everyday lives, to be accountable with purpose, to build on our learnings from the past, and to bridge the social divides that remain in our society. The Report outlines the kind of action and engagement that will turn passive spectators into active participants. It emphasises vision, imagination, and action, and it presents information about our possible futures from different lenses (risk, economy, and geography) with suggestions to inspire proactive solutions rather than induce paralysis. As our risks have become more critical, action is needed. For a brighter future, we must continue to refocus our priorities and direct scarce resources to where it matters most, and work with those who are already finding solutions. As we navigate uncertainty, we must build a future where our political and economic efforts support an optimally functioning State, a growing economy, and the rule of law. We must leverage technological advances to deliver water and energy, to ensure food security, to mitigate climate change, and to roll out education programmes that will power the country for the future.

“In all scenarios, two key elements stand out: skilled resources and servant leadership. Both are available, but neither are activated in the collective interest of our country. We had to ask: ‘What must change?’ If nothing changes, despair may take us further into a future where ‘everyone is in it for themselves’. Considering the dominant culture driving each scenario, successfully mitigating all risks, across all economic sectors, across all geographical intersections, depends on a national culture change. Positive indications are that South Africa will stop asking ‘will the real leaders please stand up?’ as ‘some young leaders are taking charge’. It is our sincere hope that this will ignite a groundswell to a culture where ‘everyone is leading from where they stand’.” – IRMSA 2024/25 South Africa Risk Report (Executive Summary)