The world is changing rapidly. The US has reaffirmed its faith, but only just, in President Obama. China’s fifth generation is formally assuming the mantle of leadership. And Europe is in the midst of an historic crisis that is shaking the foundations of its union. The global financial crisis continues to rumble along in the background, with no clear resolution in sight. In South Africa leadership preoccupations are also the order of the day. So what are we to make of it all? I recently speculated on these matters in an article published in the Sunday Times, Business Times.