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?

Privileged to have had several highly impactful opportunities to work with the SAMPNODE Directors and team. I continue to learn from the team about African Futures thinking.

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

I have known Rasigan, Geci and Koffi since our time at CSIR (1996-2003). My direct involvement with SAMPNODE started in when my company WWS4Africa was appointed to event manage first the “All Africa Futures Forum: Transforming Africa’s Future” - 26 to 28 May 2014; then “Foresight For Development Roundtable”, Monday 23 March 2015, Johannesburg, South Africa then later, “ The Global Work/Tech Scenarios 2050”: South Africa Conference and Workshops on December 4th, 2018. 

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

I spent over 10 years in senior leadership in the African mining sector working and traveling into over 19 countries. I worked for Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, Placer Dome .

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

We have to be impatient about making sure Africa leads in finding and implementing the solutions for Africa’s advancement. The future is ours to shape.

I am also motivated by the wide range of experts I get to work with in varied highly impactful projects:

As Founder and MD of Win Win Solutions 4 Africa www.solutions4africa.com our team spends a lot of time Coaching professionals; helping companies create strategies and find markets in Africa.

I am Country Director for WEConnect International in South Africa www.weconnectinternational.org working daily with amazing women business owners.

I am a member of the Advisory Council of Mining Dialogue 360 www.miningdialogues360.co.za.

I am a Non Executive Director & EX-Chairperson JA Africa www.jaworldwide.org. I was Chairperson Nov 2016 – June 2019.

In 2019 I became an a member of Dazzle Angels, a female focused Venture Capital Fund, that is led and funded by experienced business women www.dazzleangels.com.

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

Helping create and mobilise millions of sustainable SM&L African entrepreneurs esp focucing on technology.

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

SAMPNODE Directors with their amazing insights, knowledge sharing and impact at senior levels of society.

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

Marketing and Communications

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

Others describe me as a… Perfectionist

I describe myself as... Hard-working

YOUR PERSPECTIVE

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

Not getting a high enough profile.

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?

Senior leadership stuck in the traditional way of thinking, working, planning – COVID 19 is a BIG wake up call.