South Africa votes on 4 November. The United States votes the day before. In episode 31 of Sharp Sharp, Rob Rose from the Financial Mail, Zukile Majova from Scrolla.Africa and Patrick Smith from Africa Confidential look at what both elections mean for South Africa.
They start with what the local government elections mean for the Government of National Unity. Patrick asks whether the GNU can survive a result that goes against one of its biggest partners.
Then they turn to Joburg. Zuks says the DA’s maths is hard even if it reaches 40%, because it still needs about 10 more points and has few obvious partners. They also ask whether Herman Mashaba and the ANC could cut a deal that keeps Helen Zille out of the mayor’s chair.
The three also ask why professionals feel pushed out of the ANC, and why so many young people register to vote but do not turn up. They discuss how the youth vote has been pulled towards the EFF and MK.
Finally, they look at the world. They cover the US midterms, corruption and the cost of living, Brazil and Israel’s election, and whether South Africa slips down Donald Trump’s list of targets.
Watch the full episode on YouTube, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Sharp Sharp is the weekly podcast on politics, money and power from the Financial Mail and Scrolla.Africa.
