Meet RW Johnson: The man whose book has altered SA's destructive trajectory

Our lives are punctuated by memorable events. For me, one of these was interviewing Rhodes scholar, Oxford don, author, journalist and political scientist Bill Johnson. His book, How long will South Africa survive? has topped the country's best-selling non-fiction list for well over a year. The audiobook version which I voiced is also proving extremely popular. In 246 pages Johnson provides a compelling argument of a country whose leadership has lost their way. He does so with sufficient force to remove any room for doubt. Much as its conclusions will sit uncomfortably with many in the ruling ANC, the book is having an impact. After years of deluding themselves over a BRICS alliance which Johnson argues was little more than an anagram, South Africa's political leadership has started to smell the coffee. Events of the past week - President Jacob Zuma's engagement with Merkel and Obama - suggest the philosophical tide is turning, something required before economic policies can be steered away from their current destructive path. By doing what he does best - applying his intellect and communicating bluntly - RW Johnson has provided his country a massive service. He has helped frame an economic debate whose result can have only one conclusion - moving South Africa away from a depressing trajectory. - Alec Hogg