The One Thing: Small Ideas, Big Outcomes, A Brighter Future for South Africa by Bruce Whitfield

If South Africa were a cat, it would be rapidly running out of its nine lives. In 2024, voters sent a clear signal to the fractured ANC that they had run out of patience. It lost its majority and was forced to enter a difficult multi-party coalition.

Broadcaster, author and public speaker Bruce Whitfield consistently looks for opportunity in times of uncertainty. The author of the 2020 bestseller The Upside of Down, and Genius (2022), now brings you The One Thing, which draws on his unparalleled access to a network of business leaders, founders and deep thinkers.

Bruce challenged his contributors to identify ‘One Thing’ that, if they were president for half an hour, they would order to be implemented so it could have a catalytic effect throughout the economy. You will hear from a host of people, including:

• Sean Summers, tasked with turning around Pick n Pay, on the first step he would take to turn around the country;
• Mining CEO Mike Teke on what he learned playing football on the fields of KwaThema, and how he would apply that to the country;
• Wits Chancellor Judy Dlamini on the power of education; and
• Chair of the Businesswomen’s Association Mandisa Nkwanyana about harnessing the power of women as a catalyst for change.

You will also hear from those who inspire us to be more than we think we can be, such as maestro Ralf Schmitt, who took the raw talent of a group of children from Limpopo to the finals of America’s Got Talent, plus a range of money managers, editors, CEOs, academics and founders of some of the country’s most successful startups.

Bruce also challenges readers to define their ‘One Thing’ and yes, he offers his own ‘One Thing’, too. Probably the simplest and most achievable action of all, it requires just one behaviourial change.