95: Richard Poplak-Journalist and filmmaker.

Voices from SA

Richard is better know to South Africans as journalist at large for the Daily Maverick where he writes under nom de plume Trainspotter.

He is recognized for his acerbic wit, biting satire and razor sharp observations that have infuriated and amazed in equal measure over the last ten years.

I pitched the discussion as a look at the year ahead and what 2020 night hold for South Africa and its people. Turns out quite a lot. And according to Richard there is not a lot to look forward to. At least in the short term. He says South Africa is facing multiple existential threats.

We chatted about a number of things including the civil war racking the ANC, the parlous state of the main opposition parties, and the collapse of Eskom the state-owned power utility.
Our discussion did place South Africa in a global context of a post-truth, late-stage capitalism reality where norms of political behavior and activism are being re-written every day.

Richard also give some background to the documentary film he has directed together with Dianne Neille, Influence, which takes an in depth look at the rise and fall of PR firm Bell Pottinger. The film will premiere at the Sundance film Festival on January 23.
Read Richard on Helen Zille and the DA here.