In our current era of complex political, technological, and ecological challenges, we must avoid the temptation to rush toward quick or easy solutions. Instead, we must explore new ways of looking at the world and solving problems, with creativity and open minds. In October 2025, a group of 30 thinkers came together in Stellenbosch, South Africa, to explore the theme of wayfinding. The Think Beyond immersive retreat was designed to help them navigate today’s challenges—to find their way through the complexity—and to return home with fresh perspectives and bold ideas to imagine new ways of thinking, connecting, and collaborating. We invited them to slow down enough to notice patterns; reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world; and explore how to lead with care, imagination, and moral clarity.
Think Beyond explored familiar concepts
On the second day of the retreat participants joined small group discussions on technological change, climate change and ecological degradation, political shifts, and flourishing in fractured systems. You can read more about the takeaways from these sessions below. through new lenses, leaning on intuition, creativity, and a shared desire to listen and learn. Participants came from the social sector, politics, policy, corporations striving for purpose beyond profit, and community activists spanning the globe—from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Zimbabwe, and beyond.
Together, we stretched our thinking and sparked creativity through activities designed to challenge conventional ways of considering issues. Silent greetings, time in nature, and playful learning prompted us to reflect on our purpose and roles beyond our day-to-day routines. Every exchange felt meaningful. At one point or another, every participant stepped outside their comfort zone and chose to trust the experience. We found ideas and hope in the company of a trusted circle of peers.
The fact that individuals from all walks of life, with various occupations, can come together to host this space—thinking not just about the future, but about what we need to do now to reach that future—is inspiring. I realized that yes, complexity can be messy, but we can bridge the present, what we do now, with the future and what lies ahead of us.
Participant, Think Beyond immersive retreat 2025
We share this digital scrapbook to remember this special experience and encourage other thinkers and leaders to join us for future Think Beyond retreats.
Day 1
The opening ceremony, led by artist and environmental educator Dylan McGarry, set the tone for the two days ahead. Most of the participants were meeting for the first time. We began by sitting in a circle of soon-to-be friends, acknowledging the space we shared and the roles we each held in the group. The session was followed by a group dinner. Guided by conversational prompts, we learned about each other and our expectations for the retreat.
What really stood out for me were the rituals—the first ones, the last one, and their importance. I’m an analyst, so for me it’s usually facts, figures, science. And I underestimate the power of ritual. The richness. I think it has a lot to do with the story that informed the rituals, and the deep respect for them because they carry ancient truth. That definitely made a difference for me.
Participant, Think Beyond immersive retreat 2025
Day 2
Morning: what nature teaches us
Jane West, Executive Director and Founder at Two Lilies Fund, led a sunrise forest bathing experience. This immersive, sensory experience allowed us to pay close attention to our surroundings and observe nature in a deeper way.
After breakfast, the entire group convened in the main meeting space, where Think Beyond Curator Nicole Biondi invited us to reflect on the lessons the natural world can teach us about leadership, wayfinding, and complexity.
Small group discussions: global transformations reshaping family life
Capita has identified four global transformations reshaping family life. As we continue to explore these transformations, we are eager to learn from the experiences of families and communities from around the world. Think Beyond was the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into three of these transformations: technological change, climate change and ecological degradation, and political shifts. We also covered a fourth topic: resilience and flourishing in fractured systems. For the second half of the morning session, we split into two groups to discuss these issues. Here’s what we heard:
Technological change: AI
What should AI do and for whom? Jay Chouhan, an education and health technology leader, facilitated a timely discussion on the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on how we live, work, and connect. Participants agreed: There is both promise and peril in this emerging technology. AI can strengthen family engagement and support parents with daily tasks, enable more personalized education and learning experiences, and advance health care innovation through improved data management and diagnostics.
At the same time, AI poses serious risks, including widening data and access gaps (especially in the Global South), threats to the safety and social and emotional development of children, and tensions between profit-driven innovation and advancements that promote human flourishing.
Climate change and ecological degradation: the need to center children
Xoli Fuyani, Director of Black Girls Rising, shared her experience working with young girls and women in communities across South Africa. She highlighted the importance of prioritizing children and elders in efforts on climate change and leaning on the power of a united community.
Care, health, and climate should be seen as one. The impact of climate change is social as much as it is ecological.
Political shifts: building a new political order focused on the common good
Joe Waters, Capita’s CEO and co-founder, led a discussion on the current geopolitical moment. Neoliberalism is in retreat, and other forms of political orders are competing for dominance. The answer to which order will definitively emerge to replace neoliberalism is not yet clear. This means we have an opportunity: we can champion new political orders focused on governance for the common good.
Resilience and flourishing in fractured systems
Sinikiwe Mqadi, the Parent-Infant Programmes Manager of the Ububele Education Psychotherapy Trust in Johannesburg, led a powerful conversation about fractured systems, the limits of the concept of resilience, and what it means to pursue flourishing in troubled times. Sinikwe challenged us to interrogate whether our systems, policies, and practices are truly designed for and enforced in ways that reflect the complex realities of the people they are meant to serve. The discussion pushed back on the instinct to glorify resilience without recognizing and working to repair broken systems.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, participants had the option to attend any of three sessions: a participatory music activity, an art session, or a sound journey (an immersive audio experience designed to facilitate a meditative, emotional, or imaginative process).
In the evening, the group gathered in the terrace for sunset drinks, before enjoying a group dinner.
I want to sit here longer. I want to stay and interact more with people. The energy has been amazing. I keep wondering how that’s possible with so many of us from different places and backgrounds, yet something brings us together. There’s a sense of unity and harmony, and even when we disagree, there’s still understanding, acknowledgment, and appreciation.
Participant, Think Beyond immersive retreat 2025
Day 3
On the final day of the event we were invited to join the Futures Playground, where playfulness allowed participants to creatively explore possible futures. Our guide, Anne Kathrin Merkle, encouraged us to use play as the foundation of this learning experience. To underscore this point, she greeted us dressed as an imaginary forest creature.
Through four group activities, we explored four topics:
- Past vs. future Participants were divided into two groups for a mock debate. One side argued for the importance of analyzing the past in shaping sound decisions and the other defended the value of a forward-looking, future-oriented mindset.
- Designing new worlds Participants were invited to inhabit the role of ruler of an imaginary world. They were presented with imaginative concepts and scenarios that they had to accept or reject for their new planets. Using sculpting clay, they visually represented the values, structures, and characteristics of these worlds.
- Horizons Participants reflected on what elements of Earth they would like to leave behind and what they would bring into new imaginary worlds. They then developed a Three Horizons framework to map short-, medium-, and long-term goals for bringing those visions to fruition.
- Animal thinking Participants selected a card featuring an illustrated animal and explored how that animal’s traits could inform leadership and systems thinking, then shared their reflections with the group.
I am inspired to take action. I feel more encouraged to do even more.
Participant, Think Beyond immersive retreat 2025
Closing ceremony
Returning to the circle, just as we began, Dylan McGarry led us through a traditional South African friendship ceremony. We celebrated new friendships and the connection we now shared through Think Beyond, before heading to the lawn area to enjoy a picnic lunch.
I’ve had a lot of inspiring conversations, and the experience has been deeply healing for me. It feels like a moment of solidarity. We’re all coming together, doing different work, yet our work is so interconnected. It feels like a reminder to each other and ourselves to be present, to care about the future while also staying here in the moment, and learning to have fun in the process.
Who was there
Precious Osei
About Capita
Capita is an independent think tank and community. We anticipate global change, shape narratives, and partner with leaders to craft effective policies for a future in which families and their communities can flourish.
On deep hospitality
One of Capita’s stated values is our commitment to “deep hospitality.” This matters to us not simply in terms of our own work—how we welcome guests to our events, for example—but also in the kind of society we seek to shape; one that welcomes everyone to the table. We are literally and figuratively welcoming—opening our space to others and accepting their diverse opinions.
Read a personal reflection from Capita’s CEO Joe Waters.
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Photos by Je’nine May for the Think Beyond immersive retreat 2025 at Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch, South Africa on 15-16 October 2025.