Event Details

Outline of Presentation:

The period we are in is one of global uncertainty, with Fitch Solutions describing it as the most 'economically disruptive period since World War 2', while McKinsey Global Institute equates it with not just the post-WWII period but also the oil crisis of the 1970s and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. SA is rocked by these various global developments as well as domestic socio-economic and political issues. The presentation will sketch out what to expect over the next 18 months, especially as South Africa prepares for its sixth national and provincial elections under the new democratic dispensation.


About Mapungubwe Institute (MISTRA):

MISTRA is an independent think tank that carries out in-depth, forward-looking research on a range of issues, including the hydrogen economy, which was released in 2013, to a 2014 report on social compacting for the National Planning Commission. Some of its more recent work has included a publication on coalitions, released last year before the local government elections, as well as an upcoming publication on the politics of protest. It has amongst its clients a range of corporates, NGOs, the Presidency as well various government departments.

Speakers

  • Dr Y Abba Omar (Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA))

    Dr Y Abba Omar

    Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA)

    https://mistra.org.za/

    Dr Y Abba Omar is Director Operations at MISTRA, a position he occupied from 2013 to 2017 and then returned to in January 2020. In between he was the head of strategy at The Banking Association South Africa (BASA). Previously he served as South Africa’s Ambassador to Oman from 2003 to 2008, and then to the UAE from 2008 to 2013. Other positions in the public service included Deputy DG of Government Communications and General Manager at Armscor. He has led two country scenarios for the office of the South African Presidency, as well as lectured on Risks and Scenarios at post-graduate level. He completed his PhD through the Wits University Dept of Sociology in 2017. He currently serves on the Indlulamithi Scenarios Project, the National Planning Commission and the Public Economy Project based at Wits University. His previous board positions included Business Arts South Africa and the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) which he chaired. He writes a fortnightly column in the Business Day, has published several book chapters on a range of topics and recently co-edited Reflections on Africa’s Place in the World (2022).

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