PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to construct a possible future scenario for South Africa in Africa using the backcast approach.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology followed is to present a brief political and economic history of African colonization and de‐colonization, globalisation and the rise of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICs). Strengths and weaknesses are discussed and used to sketch a desired future scenario from which the backcast is constructed.FindingsIt is suggested that the optimal future is one involving SADC‐MERCOSUR alliance with South Africa and Brazil as the respective leadersResearch limitations/implicationsA study of this kind is necessarily speculative.Practical implicationsThe paper alerts policy makers to the threats and opportunities inherent in south‐south dialogue.Social implicationsThe prospect of collaboration holds promise of social upliftment in the region.Originality/valueThe arguments are original to the author.