Richard Calland
latest news & developments
Expected high voter turnout a nod to political parties, says IEC
The disillusionment in the country’s political system resulting in low 2021 local election turnout numbers has seemingly dissipated
Columnist Calland captures state capture for stage
A new play by a new playwright explores shenanigans in South Africa’s politics
Not playing … what happened to the role models?
Playwright Richard Calland describes the main character “Uncle” as being a Mac Maharaj-like figure with other ANC-types thrown into the mix
Aficionado notes brilliant use of music in state capture play
The political drama about corruption and power is clever, gripping and insightful
Calland replaced on section 89 panel on Phala Phala
This follows a submission to parliament’s speaker by the law professor and commentator that the process is more important than objections about his objectivity
Yengeni’s complaint against Zondo is legally uncertain
The chief justice was acting in a non-judicial capacity when chairing the state capture inquiry, so the complaint probably falls outside the law but underscores the risk of…
Ramaphosa walked into a ‘political ambush’ on chief justice appointment
The JSC exceeded its mandate to place the president in a corner in which exercising his wide powers to select the next chief justice have become fettered by popular concerns
M&G Thought Leaders’ top books of 2021
The Mail & Guardian asked a few of the regular contributors to the ThoughtLeader platform to give us their views on the top three books they read this year
SA received Zondo’s real gift well before Christmas
A too narrow focus on the number of convictions from the final report of the state capture commission will mean a failure to see the impact it has already had
Protected Disclosures Act: How did whistleblowing law go wrong?
Current legislation mainly protects employees and those who make allegations anonymously and offers too little protection for witnesses
Ramaphosa’s panel calls for end to coal, but who’ll fund it?
Like unfinished flyovers in Cape Town, global climate finance and domestic demand often don’t meet up
Backstabbers limit Ramaphosa
The ANC is stronger electorally but is still too weak to help the president make the decisions the country’s many crises demand
DA, EFF lack the muscle to keep the ANC in check
And their travails strengthen the scoundrel hand of the anti-Ramaphosa wing of the ruling party
Political leadership is in a mess
Ironically enough, a potent drive for reform of the capitalist system will come from the private sector
The heat is on to find global saviours
We face a current crisis unlike any other in history — this one affects everyone everywhere