Moderator: Dr Martha Bridgman
Speaker: Brooks Spector
J. Brooks Spector settled in Johannesburg after a three-decade career as an American diplomat in Africa and East Asia. Post-retirement, he has taught at the University of the Witwatersrand, been a consultant for an international NGO, run a famous Johannesburg theatre, and been a commentator for South African and international print/broadcast/online media, in addition to writing for The Daily Maverick from day one.
Spector has also been a Bradlow Fellow of the South African Institute of International Affairs and a Writing Fellow of the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Advanced Studies. In addition to his frequent journalism contributions, he has written a number of professional studies on international relations issues for South African and other organisations.
Only half humorously, he says he learned everything he needs to know about politics from the film Casablanca. Maybe he’s increasingly cynical about some things, but a late Beethoven string quartet, John Coltrane’s music, and a dish of soto ayam (one of Indonesia’s great culinary inventions) can bring him close to tears.
Please contact Pippa for more information on wcbranch@saiia.org.za
Related material
Presentation:
- The 2020 US presidential election: Will it make any difference to the rest of us? By Brooks Spector
- Watch the video of the webinar below: