Dodgy ANCs face cut from poll list, Jardine quits, Zibi top of donor pops, SA Expats election date, Nikki Haley's plan, Politicians blunders

Hello readers,

Based on feedback from previous newsletters, I will endeavour to keep them short and sweet, adhering to the TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) principle. If any story piques your interest, links will be provided for further reading.

Here are this week’s main stories on elections in South Africa and beyond:

• Almost 100 ANC could be excluded from election list
• Roger Jardine withdraws from election
• Zongeso Zibo attracts most donor funding
• South Africans Abroad to vote on 17 or 18 May, not the 29th
• Why Nikki Hailey hangs on like a pitbull
• Putin denounces dictatorships – Yes, really!
• Politicians trying to go viral

Happy reading!

100 ANC MEMBERS OF QUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY FLAGGED

Questionable integrity: According to News24, a report was handed to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbulula recommending that almost 100 members should be excluded from the party’s election candidate list. Most of those flagged have not appeared before the commission to clear their names. The ANC’s integrity commission flagged ANC ministers Zizi Kodwa, Zweli Mkhize, and David Mhlobo, along with North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, Mosebenzi Zwane, Bongani Bongo, and Thabang Makwetla.

Zuma and Mashatile: Zuma’s name was on the list before he joined the MK Party. The commission indicated it continues to monitor allegations against Deputy- President Paul Mashatile.

Surely not? The ANC has until Friday, 8 March to submit its candidate list to the IEC. Will they exclude senior leaders so close to an election? Probably not, as they would want as many hands on deck as possible, even those linked to corruption to fight the election campaign.

Zondo enters the fray: Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was drawn into the fray when he denied a City Press report which claimed that Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe had successfully challenged the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. The Daily Maverick reports that a battle is looming in the ANC over whether cadres implicated in corruption and misconduct should be given the thumbs-downs.

ANC's ‘CUT AND PASTE’ MANIFESTO

We didn’t cut and paste: The ANC has rejected critics’ comments that the ANC manifesto launched at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban was a mere repetition of previous manifestos. This is the challenge of being in power for 30 years - nothing sounds new. Even if the promises are as shiny as new infrastructure or as mundane as fixing potholes, voters are likely to take them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Solar, 2.5 million jobs, water: In his speech at the manifesto launch, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised solar power, 2.5 million jobs, and water. The big question with any new programmes is: Where will the funding come from? Here is a summary of the other ANC promises from the Daily Maverick.

We’ll fix potholes! Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi posted a video of potholes that are being fixed on X (formerly Twitter), which prompted Mmusi Maimane from BOSA to comment: You were waiting for election season to remember how to work? And there was this promise:

Let there be lights!

JARDINE EXITS - WHO WILL GET THE BIG BUCKS

Egg on his face: Roger Jardine of ‘Change Starts Now’ faced backlash on social media following his announcement that he will not participate in the South African elections. Many are left wondering about the financial backing behind him. In an interview with Biznews, Jardine denied reports that it was as much as R1 billion.

Don’t switch off money taps: That was the plea from Peter Bruce, writing in the Sunday Times. He suggested that donors should help Rise Mzansi, “the DA even”, Inkatha and ActionSA.?

No changes: The Independent Electoral Commission has set Friday, 8th of March as the final date for independent candidates and new parties not currently in Parliament to register to contest the election. Despite grievances from some new parties about insufficient time to prepare and gather the necessary signatures, the Commission maintained that the date is unchangeable and that the parties had ample time.

Top of donor pops: Rise Mzansi came out tops with R16.7 million when the IEC published donor funding with reports that most of the money came from the Oppenheimer family. In second place was ActionSA with R13.9 million and the ANC got R10 million.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?

ALERT FOR SOUTH AFRICANS ABROAD!

The Democratic Alliance (DA) have taken meticulous measures to ensure that expatriates and potential travellers during the election period are well-informed about the voting process and have alerted Saffers Abroad that they won't be voting on 29 May.

Voting dates are on 17 and 18 May:

• 18 May: If you reside in a country where the weekend falls on a Saturday and Sunday - which is the case in most countries except those in the Middle East.
• 17 May: For those living in the Middle East or countries where the weekend is observed on Friday and Saturday.

?

?

US ELECTION; WHY NIKKI HALEY IS HANGING IN

Trump’s legal problems? Nikki Haley is a one determined woman! Despite Trump’s dominance, even in her own state, she remains in the race. Her resilience is reminiscent of a battered and bleeding boxer who refuses to throw in the towel.

Power on the floor: Henry Olsen of the Ethics and Public Policiy Centre writes in Politico that, “The answer might be buried in the Republican National Committee’s rules and their potential effect on her voice at the July convention.”? He posits that the more delegates Haley can secure, the more sway she can hold on the convention floor.

Who’s leading in the polls? Unless something drastic happens, it appears that the U.S Presidential election will be between Joe Biden for the Democrats and Donald Trump for the Republicans.?The Economist provides a tracker of the US election, US Republican primaries and the UK election.?

WHEN LAST DID PUTIN LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Down with Dictatorships: Yep, that is what Russian President Vladimir Putin said speaking a day after the funeral of Alexei Navalny who died under mysterious circumstances in a Russian penal colony. Putin who is shoo-in for another term as president declared, “This world has no place for racism, dictatorship, double standards or lies, and people are free to speak their language and follow the beliefs and traditions of their ancestors.”

Russian protest: Thousands of supporters turned out for the funeral of Alexei Navalny chanting, “no to the war” and “Putin is a murderer.” According to HuffPost UK, The Kremlin likely refrained from ordering crackdowns against displays of anti-war sentiment in order to avoid inciting broader outrage while also projecting confidence in public support for Putin and his war effort in Ukraine ahead of presidential elections on March 17.

POLITICIANS WHO TRY TO GO VIRAL

Man of the People:?Politicians are evolving their strategies to resonate with today’s digital-savvy audience. They’re trading traditional door-knocking and baby-kissing for influencer-like tactics, speaking directly to the camera and showcasing their relatability. If they can fit in a run, they will share it. Here is what Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis posted this week:

When things go wrong: Remember Ed Milliband and that darn bacon sandwich. It didn't turn out well for the UK Labour leader.

?