ABOUT YOU AS A FUTURES THINKER / PRACTITIONER

You identify yourself as an African futures thinker or practitioner. How would you describe to the woman or man on the street what it is that you do in this regard?

Continuously looking for new innovative methods to empower and equip the next generation of leaders whom will:
a) Take responsibility for who they are...
b) Realize that by being an agent of change themselves first, they can influence and impact those around them to be the same...
c) Understand the importance of working in a team...
d) Partner in relationship with others whom are already doing something that makes a difference...

How many years have you worked as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

22 Years

In which countries or places have you had working experience as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

Africa - South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Tunisia, Madagascar, Nigeria
International - UK, France, Romania, USA, Honduras, Panama, Malasia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Hungary, Germany, Indonesia

In what languages have you undertaken futures / foresight related work or research?

English, Afrikaans
Others through a translator

What is it that motivates you to work or participate in the foresight / future studies / related field

I strongly believe that Africa is an awakening giant, and that her potential van be raised through her majority population; the young people (67% under the age of 25).

What goal/s would you most like to reach with your work as an African futures thinker / practitioner?

A generation of African Leaders that are not consumed about their own success, but that of those around them...

Who or what most influenced your thinking as a futures thinker / practitioner, and how?

The opportunity to travel and experience the realities of life in and through different contexts taught me to listen more intentionally to people’s experiences, and their continuous struggle to work through current and possible future expectations.

What is your main disciplinary background? (i.e. your primary training / qualification)

MA Global Leadership; Intercultural studies
Biblical Studies

How do other people describe you and how do you describe yourself?

Adriaan is a futuristic thinker towards Organisational Development within the context of Generational Behaviour patterns. Adriaan is a motivated individual, driven by passion to achieve success for any organisation, its shareholders, the people it engages with, and to achieve success on a personal level. He is a good leader who motivates and trains staff to perform at their best. He possess comprehensive knowledge and experience with regards to planning, client liaison and proven expertise in finding quick and efficient solutions and conclusion to all his daily tasks in a people focused yet productive manner.

YOUR PERSPECTIVE

What is one of your favourite quotes about the future?

"Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out."

How would you describe the state of African futures thinking right now?

I think there are a huge amount of great ideas, but lack of implementation...

What is, in your opinion, the main barrier to uptake of futures knowledge by African institutions and organisations?

Lack of leadership, real leadership in character, and not in a title.

If you were to give advice to someone who wants a career in African foresight / future studies, what would you say to him or her?

I once listened to a dialogue between a younger person and a more senior leader (pastor of a church), and the young person kept complaining about the lack of opportunity to preach at church. The senior leader quietly listened and responded eventually with a short apology, but then said these words: “Do not wait for the pulpit to exercise your passion, but allow your lifestyle to become your pulpit.

What are your recommended readings for every African futures thinker / practitioner?

• Leadership is Dead: How influence is reviving it (Jeremie Kubicek)
• The New Friars (Scott A. Bessenecker)
• Greater than Yourself (Steve Faber)
• Ordering your private world (Gordon MacDonald)
• Who is my neighbor? (Steve Moore)
• The Age Curve: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Storm (Kenneth W. Gronbach)