Prepared by Natalie Jaffe
Surita Joubert and Richard Calland
Richard Calland was the guest speaker at The Table Bay Hotel on Wednesday 22nd February 2017 when he was invited to address members and guests at The Adele Searll 100 Club luncheon. This was enjoyed by all who attended.
The Adele Searll 100 Club was indeed fortunate to have Richard Calland , political analyst and celebrated author speaking to us shortly before taking his seat in Parliament gallery to listen to the 2017 Budget Speech.
His talk on “From Trump to Malema: Joining the dots between global and national politics” was interesting and vividly sketched the turbulent current international events as political change has impacted severely on some countries, especially the US since the Trump election. Not only has Brexit brought about its challenges to the politics of Europe but also the rise of nationalist feelings.
His comments on the local scene briskly, in broad strokes painted a South African scenario which brought to mind the old Sutner “High Road/Low Road” scenario. Now many years later Calland presents a scenario showing South Africa at its most critical – a “make or break time”. We have reached “the fork in the road” and the challenge is there for all the citizens of this country to take action, to guide this country and responsible efficient leaders on the path to stability.
During question time Calland adroitly fielded many enquiries about our local politicians, but candidly admitted to not having all the answers.
This was a thought provoking talk and possibly left many of us with mixed feelings.
Are we to be the “frog in the pot”?
Thank you Richard Calland.
