2020
Leila
Which of the four worlds do you believe that your character will be living in?
Ecological Age
Why?
The imperatives of science have finally converged with political will, resulting in a negotiated global consensus on the need for setting strict global and national limits on carbon emissions and resource consumption. South Africa, as a developing country with high levels of emissions, has agreed to targets that took effect from 2012. In order to achieve these targets, the national government requires lower tiers of government to demonstrate that they are developing programmes, incentives and regulations to ensure that significant changes in behaviour take place in the four key areas of sustainability: environmental, economic, social and resources. The result has been the start of a mindshift in all communities, including those that were previously unaware of the implications of climate change and resource depletion.
What has been the most significant event in their life over the past 10 years?
Her daughter's graduation from highschool, and her own promotion to manager / team leader at the call centre where she has been working for more than ten years.
What is most different for the character in 2020 compared the way they lived in 2010?
Living more comfortably as a result of her promotion, and the additional benefits of a serious relationship with someone who is also relatively secure financially.
What has remained the same?
She still lives with her mother and remains without a car. Her boyfriend however does have a car. While government is working on ways to meet environmental targets and improving economic opportunities, this has not yet had a significant impact on Leila's life. Private vehicles are just as prevalent in Cape Town as they were ten years ago, but there is the start of a shift towards electric vehicles, and the public transport system has improved substantially. This has been encouraged by high fuel prices and taxes, but there has not been a marked reduction in vehicle ownership. The most obvious change in vehicles is that the more expensive electric cars are owned by higher income people, and the increased taxation on new petrol-powered vehicles has resulted in poorer people holding onto older cars longer.
What is their lifestyle now?
Lifestyle has not changed significantly, but is more outgoing (movies and other entertainment outside the home and beyond the local community of Bo Kaap). Household income has increased, with her daughter now employed. Other visible changes are greater levels of recycling, use of energy-efficient lighting, installation of a subsidised solar-heated hot water system, reduced packaging of retail products and composting at home.
Where is your character living now?
At home with her mother.
With whom are they living?
Mother, brother, daughter. Her sister has moved out.
What is their occupation now?
Leila is still working at the call centre in the Cape Town CBD, her mother is still running a childcare business at home, her brother is working in retail and her sister is an au pair. After highschool her daughter did some training in the hospitality industry and is now in the tourism industry.
How to they get there?
Leila still walks to work. Her mother doesn't travel for work, her brother uses public transport and her sister lives where she works but stays at home on weekends. Her daughter uses public transport.
How does your character get around in general?
Walks and travels with her boyfriend.
Do they travel?
She sometimes travels on holiday with her boyfriend to Knysna on the South African south coast.
What is the furthest distance they have travelled?
Knysna.
What is the one place they would like to visit?
Mecca.
What is their favourite meal?
Sushi.
What is something they have never eaten but would like to try?
Wine.
What do they purchase on a regular basis and where?
Meat from the butcher on the corner near their house.
What was their most expensive purchase?
Bought a wii console.
What technology could they not live without? Has this changed over time?
Cell phone. Ten years ago this was used primarily for phoning and messaging using the internet, but now she has a Blackberry that she also uses for work-related email. Some of her friends also have mobile email, and with her higher income level she is willing to spend more on email and doesn't use the ultra-cheap Mxit internet facility for messaging.
What was the last book/website they read/perused?
Property websites and property newspapers. Woman & Home magazine. She is dreaming of the time when she will be married and live with her husband in their own home.
How does the character socially interact now?
She mingles with her boyfriend's family and friends - her social circle has grown.
How do they relax?
Coffee and movies, walking along the beach.
What is their next big life event?
Marriage. Beyond that, her daughter is saving for university, so Leila is anticipating her daughter's future graduation and greater independence.
What do they care most about now?
Leila's new life with her boyfriend.
What is a headline from their local paper now?
HIV / AIDS cure: closer than we think
In a paragraph describe a typical day in the life for your character from the moment they wake up until they go to bed.
Gets up at 6:00, showers, has breakfast and wakes the rest of the household. Leaves for work at 7:00, has a staff meeting at 7:30, deals with clients and team management until 17:00. Arrives home at 17:30, then relaxes and prays, then watches TV while helping her mother with cooking. Has prayers and dinner at 19:00, then visits boyfriend until 21:00. Reads from 21:00 to 21:30, and is asleep around 22:00.