South Africa may experience a political turning point in the aftermath of the December 2017 National Conference of the ruling African National Congress. Building on an associated publication, Economics, governance and instability in South Africa , this paper describes three different futures for the country. The first scenario is an uninspiring and business-as-usual Bafana Bafana scenario, an alarming downward scenario called Nation Divided, where the “traditionalist” camp within the ruling party holds sway, and a desirable Mandela Magic scenario, where “reformists” triumph and begin to address some of the country’s most pressing challenges. A related policy brief, Rainbow at risk, presents recommendations.