The purpose of this paper is to construct a possible future scenario for South Africa in Africa using the backcast approach.
The methodology followed is to present a brief political and economic history of African colonization and de‐colonization, globalisation and the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICs). Strengths and weaknesses are discussed and used to sketch a desired future scenario from which the backcast is constructed.
It is suggested that the optimal future is one involving SADC‐MERCOSUR alliance with South Africa and Brazil as the respective leaders
A study of this kind is necessarily speculative.
The paper alerts policy makers to the threats and opportunities inherent in south‐south dialogue.
The prospect of collaboration holds promise of social upliftment in the region.
The arguments are original to the author.
