The IEC has confirmed that South Africa has 340 parties registered provincially and nationally and thus eligible to participate in the 2024 elections. 1 Not all will actually take part, but South Africa is the country in Africa with the highest number of political parties. It is thus arguably the most competitive country in Africa, election-wise. BP 592 With Regard to […]

Election fever has been ratcheted up several notches over the past few weeks, as one by one various political parties have launched their election manifestos. Some commentators, such as radio’s Tshidi Madia, now speak of the potentially high impact of ‘stadiumology’,1 referring to the nexus between filling stadia, providing lavish entertainment, enhancing the cult of the leader, and generally associating the contents of […]

A total of 115 political parties (14 of these are already represented in parliament) and 11 independent candidates will be contesting the elections on 29 May. Voters are spoilt for choice but this comes with a challenge: how do they choose? Manifestos may be a way to help voters to make informed decisions. Whether you call them ‘blueprints’, […]