As the elections draw closer, we hear from William Bird on why we should guard against misinformation and disinformation. It is public knowledge that misinformation undermines the democratic process and to a large degree also distort electoral outcomes, may i add that it also poses a direct threat to the sustainability of credible news media.

GUEST: William Bird - Executive Director @Media Monitoring Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has given the green light to the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill, signaling significant changes in political funding regulations. The bill abolishes the existing cap on donations to political parties and the criteria for disclosing these contributions as outlined in the Political Party Funding Act. It also introduces adjustments to the previous Electoral Acts. A key feature of the new law is the provision for independent representatives to access financial support from the Multi-Party Democracy Fund. To give us more clarity on this, let’s chat to….

GUEST: OUTA Parliamentary Engagement and Research Manager, Rachel Fischer

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Appeal set aside the Western Cape High Court’s decision to discharge ANC MP, Bongani Bongo on a charge of corruption in 2021. The appellate court sent Bongo’s case back to the high court for a new trial before a differently constituted court. It found if mistakes of law had not been made, the trial court would have found there was sufficient evidence to convict Bongo. The state had charged Bongo with corruption, alleging that in 2017 Bongo wrongfully and intentionally offered gratification to parliament’s Eskom inquiry evidence leader Ntuthuzelo Vanara. For more analysis on this, let’s speak to….

GUEST: Legal Analyst, Melusi Xulu

The MK Party has officially released a letter dated ‘9th April 2024’ which states clearly that Jabulani Khumalo did hand over the reins of power to former president Jacob Zuma. This after Khumalo asked the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to remove Zuma as the face of the party and from its list of potential members of parliament. Currently, Zuma tops the MK party’s candidate list for Parliament, and he is also the face that replaced Khumalo on the ballot.

GUEST: Nhlamulo Ndhlela, MK Party national spokesperson

The Electoral Commission says it will not entertain a letter it received from Jabulani Khumalo. In a statement released earlier today, the commission said it does not involve itself in the internal affairs of political parties and it only acts on the instructions of the registered leader of a political party, which in this case is Mr Zuma who has been the registered leader of the MK Party since April 10 this year. But why did Khumalo approach the IEC in the first place?

GUEST: Terry Tselane - Executive Chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa

Chad has just become the first of West and Central Africa's junta-ruled countries to hold elections since a wave of coups swept over the region. Interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby is widely expected to win the vote. We understand that since replacing his father at the helm of the oil-producing nation three years ago, Deby has remained close with former colonial power and longtime ally France.

GUEST: Dr William Jethro Mpofu: Political analyst and Senior Research Associate at Good Governance Africa

We revisit the DA's controversial election campaign advert which shows the burning of the South African flag. Our guest Solly Moeng says he doesn’t understand the negative reception this advert has attracted. He joins us now to share his thoughts …..

GUEST: Solly Moeng, Brand Reputation Management Strategist & ActionSA member

Chris Yeland

Looking at the legalities around the DA advert.

Guest: Legal analyst, Advocate Madidima Monnya

Looking at the creative aspect, brand association and agency involvement/brief for adverts such as the recent DA advert.

Guest: Thebe Ikalafeng, an award-winning pan-African marketer.