What are South Africans' perceptions towards the future and future generations? South Africans are optimistic about the prospects for future generations and 25 percent expect their children to move into higher Living Standards Measure (LSM) categories. This emerged at a round table discussion hosted by Brand South Africa and PowerFM on July 21, 2015.

Brand South Africa presented the outcomes of a range of research papers at the roundtable discussion. This was part of an ongoing research program aimed at contextualizing South Africa's attractiveness as an inward destination for investment, tourism and skills.

Key findings emerging from the National Perceptions Audit, one of Brand South Africa's flagship research projects, indicate that South Africans are optimistic about the prospects of future generations. Respondents reported that the country has made the most progress over the last 10 years in fields of education, religious tolerance, public transportation infrastructure, housing and improved access to medical facilities and treatment.

"South Africans on the whole are extremely proud of the country and its achievements," Brand South Africa's General Manager for Research Petrus de Kock said. "Key concerns however, pertain to crime, corruption, and lack of employment opportunities."

The survey also shows that there is a generally positive attitude towards fellow citizens and relatively high levels of social cohesion despite the income inequality and insufficient employment opportunities.

Research reports that were presented for discussion at the roundtable included South Africa's competitiveness, reputation, state of social cohesion, findings from Brand South Africa's domestic perception research as well as pride and patriotism levels.

Dr. de Kock concluded: "The National Development Plan can be seen as part of South Africa's National Competitiveness Program that identifies the key constraints to faster growth and presents a roadmap to a more inclusive economy that will address the country's socio-economic imbalances. It is important for South Africa to manage its reputation, to ensure the country is positively positioned internationally - because this improves the country's competitiveness, which in turn will attract investment, business and trade which is tied to job creation."