The Futurists 2026

South Africa is at a crossroads. Unemployment sits near 33% (60% for the youth). There are 12,6 million people who are without a stable income in our country. The tax base is shrinking, and national debt is climbing toward 80% of GDP. Power supply has stabilised (for now), but the grid remains fragile. Don’t. even. get. us. started. on Artificial Intelligence. Things are looking shaky and uncomfortable for all of us. With all this chaos and uncertainty, our annual trends showcase The Futurists is gonna hit a little different. We’re going to lay the groundwork with two of South Africa’s most revered speakers, a philosopher and a priest. Bronwyn Williams is Flux Trends lead Economist. Pierre du Plessis is a world-renowned consultant and strategist (and an ordained minister). In Jan 2026 at the Workshop17, West St venue, Johannesburg, we will be hosting Bronwyn and Pierre for the year’s most important conversation: “How to navigate - and build- our future.”