Road to 2024 elections marked by controversy

SOCIAL media has become an interesting ground to unpack conversations about the 2024 elections, which will mark a watershed moment in South Africa.

In the past few months, all political parties have been out in full force, with each proving why they are worthy of getting votes from citizens.

The elections scheduled for May 29 will mark 30 years of democracy.

The road to the elections has not been without controversy, from the son of Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, Duduzane Zuma, being kicked off the ballot paper, to the former president going head-to-head with the IEC.

Duduzane has been bemoaning his expulsion from the elections for his newly established political party, All Game Changers (AGC), which he claimed would make him a viable candidate in the elections as he would be offering remedies for the numerous issues confronting the country.

On the other hand, his father, who introduced his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party months ago, in a legal spat with the IEC, wants the high court to overturn the decision to bar him as a parliamentary candidate.

Advocate Dali Mpofu, who is defending Jacob, has claimed that abolishing Zuma’s eligibility to run for public office would violate the rights of the MK Party voters and him.

MK has seen leaders such as Andile Mngxitama and poet and activist Ntsiki Mazwai throw their weight behind it as it continues to garner supporters.

The former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on allegations of corruption and money laundering, which caused the ANC a good deal of controversy as well.

Other political parties, such as the EFF, ATM, ActionSA, DA, Rise Mzansi, and Bosa, have also been active on social media and have visited communities amid the nation’s ongoing extreme challenges – load shedding, unemployment, crime, and more – promising to lead with integrity.

While the political sphere remains heated, emphasis is on encouraging young people to vote as they often show voter apathy.