Bet your bottom dollar on politics

A FEW weeks ago, if you had bet on whether US President Donald Trump intends to build the wall between Mexico and the US, you may have made yourself a tidy sum of pocket money by now. If you had wagered a bit on whether the phrase “Make America Great Again” would be included in Trump’s speech, another bit of luck would have rewarded taking the chance. A little closer to home there is a way to make the nonsensical political landscape of South Africa a little more interesting. Bet on it.

The ANC leadership race is set to heat up over the next couple of months and, instead of taking a silent position of protest or lending unquestioned support, it is now possible to really put your money where your politician’s mouth is.

“We studied the media, social media and public sentiment over the past couple of months as we all analysed data and media engagement, speeches etc. issued by the ANC over the past few months,” says World Sports Betting head of marketing Ryno du Plessis.

“We believe that, while the market may change somewhat leading into December, we will call the winning candidate well before the result.”

Even Hilary Clinton is seen to have a really, really outside chance at leading the ANC, and ergo, South Africa. Clinton is priced in at 500:1 with Casper Nyovest coming in a close second among the rank outsiders at 200:1, sharing second last spot with AKA, who may still write a song about it. Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is priced at 33:1 to take over the reins with a third term for President Jacob Zuma just as unlikely at the same odds as Madonsela.

Somewhere in the middle floats Gwede Mantashe and Brian Molefe at 20:1 with Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan also considered a little less likely at 28:1.

Leading the pack is former AU Secretary General and Minister of Home Affairs Nskosazana Dlamini Zuma with wagers at 1:1 making her the most likely candidate to win in December.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa could still make it at odds of 12:10