The moments worth hearing, as they happen.

Reporter recalls election chaos as the ‘magic’ of young democracy

A former SAFM reporter remembers the exhilaration and responsibility of covering South Africa’s second democratic election.

Zambian opposition leader Mundubile moved after treason charge

Mundubile and Mike Zulu were moved to a maximum-security facility after being charged with treason and rejecting Zambia’s election result.

DA threatens legal action over councillors on rival lists

The DA says councillors appearing on multiple party nomination lists could face legal action ahead of local elections.

ANC removes more than 350 candidates before election deadline

The ANC dropped over 350 councillor and mayoral candidates after vetting found criminal records and missing Grade 12 certificates.

How South Africa could hold an election before 2029

Ron Weisenberg explains the constitutional routes to dissolving Parliament and triggering an early national election.

The IEC says election preparation takes 18 months

An IEC representative explains the year-round civic education, research and logistics behind preparing for an election.

Listeners joke no politicians would survive a lying ban

Laughter on air

A 702 host and election educator laugh over a poll suggesting voters would be left without representatives if politicians could be fired for lying.

Candidates allegedly offered money to switch parties

Good Party and EFF officials say rival parties have approached councillors ahead of the local government elections.

A 2027 national vote would not reset local elections

Ron Weissenberg explains that dissolving the National Assembly would trigger national elections, but provincial and municipal polls would remain on separate cycles.

Ron: Coalitions do not like voters

Ron argues that South Africa’s five-year election cycle is not fixed and that the Constitution allows an earlier vote.

After three years, Parliament can be dissolved by simple majority

Ron Weissenberg outlines a constitutional route to dissolve the National Assembly and hold elections within 90 days.

Rise Mzanzi had R30m in election loans forgiven

Songezo Zibi explains how election debt was restructured and why the party must declare the benefit.

PAC launches 2026 local elections manifesto in Soweto

The Pan-African Congress says its cabinet record makes it ready to lead and is contesting wards across all nine provinces.

Independent candidates challenge steep election entry fees

Mangaung independent candidates say election fees put them at a disadvantage against funded political parties.

MK says its six metro mayoral candidates have no criminal records

The MK Party names candidates in six metros and says they are qualified to contest the elections.

PAC to launch manifesto ahead of 2026 local elections

The Pan-Africanist Congress is set to launch its manifesto in Jabulani, Soweto, ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Minister warns against executive intervention in political killings

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says law enforcement must handle politically linked killings as cabinet urges tolerance before local elections.

IEC locks doors on late election-list submissions

The IEC’s Jermiston office closed at 5pm, with no extensions for candidates or parties who missed the deadline.

South Africa held firm on fiscal prudence in an election year

An investment discussion highlights South Africa’s decision to maintain fiscal discipline rather than increase spending before the 2024 election.

Election observers are needed all the time, expert says

Michael Atkins says permanent election observers can build trust and counter false claims about results.

Commentator calls for interim leadership at SAFA

A SAFM commentator argues that SAFA needs interim leadership before its delayed election can proceed.

Mbeki says elected leaders are essential to legitimacy

Former president Tabum Beki tells an Africa forum that legitimate leadership must come from genuine elections and respect for citizens.

ANC sets matric threshold as law requires none

The ANC wants municipal candidates to have matric, but South African election law sets no minimum educational qualification.

Safa leadership faces police charges over disputed election documents

Bennett Bailey alleges irregularities in Eastern Cape elections after auditors disowned forms used to vet candidates.

Zambia court closure blocks opposition election challenge

Opposition candidate Brian Mundumbile says a Supreme Court closure prevented him challenging Hakainde Hichirema’s victory.

Caller proposes deadlines for politicians’ promises

A caller suggests banning politicians from lying and requiring them to set deadlines for delivering on election promises.

Business to wait for local election outcome in Johannesburg

Martin Kingston says Johannesburg is undermining national growth efforts and lacks a competent counterparty for business intervention.

Kevin Mann warns of stock volatility through US midterms

Henyan and Walsh’s Kevin Mann expects a bumpy road for stocks up to and through the US midterm elections.

Ruyo Zungula says president is delaying evidence leader process

ATM parliamentary leader Ruyo Zungula accuses the president of trying to delay the selection process over conflict-of-interest claims.

A first-election memory leads to more informed choices

Two voters reflect on the emotional impact of the first election and the value of making more informed decisions years later.

Caller says politicians steal, lie and betray

Tabang argues corruption is a defining feature of politics, while the host urges voters to question candidates before the election.

Rural communities need farms and healthcare, not malls

A Power FM discussion argues that rural development should prioritise agriculture, jobs and healthcare over election promises of shopping malls.

DA pressed to act on Mark Berg allegations

Political commentator Soling Wing says the DA should confront allegations involving its finance spokesperson before the elections.

NUMSA-backed party failed to win a seat

A political speaker argues that union membership does not automatically translate into votes, citing NUMSA’s 2019 election result.

Durban ratepayers turn boycott into a political party

The organisers of a popular eThekwini rates boycott have formed a party to contest the local government elections.

ANC support falls below 50% in every core constituency

Fresh polling finds ANC support below 50% across rural, township, urban and other core voter groups ahead of local elections.

South Africa votes in its first democratic election

Long queues culminate in South Africa’s first democratic vote and Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as president.

Hichilema wins Zambia re-election amid opposition claims

Zambia's president secured 60% of the vote in a result critics said followed a tightly managed campaign.

Host calls DA the most organised party ahead of local elections

Power FM’s Colleen Macubele contrasts the DA’s detailed manifesto with broader promises of accountability from the governing party.

Declassified minutes reveal Mandela-ANC indemnity deal

A radio host discusses newly declassified minutes alleging an indemnity agreement before South Africa’s 1994 election.

Fernando Kuliputi song skewers sham democracy in Africa

A 702 presenter links post-Cold War democratisation pressure to rigged elections before introducing Fernando Kuliputi’s satirical song.

Host attacks election promises and local government failures

A Cape Talk host argues that politicians neglected poor communities while prioritising their grip on power.

Count Binface could win a UK election wearing a bin

A SAFM host surveys the eccentric candidates challenging Nigel Farage, including comedian Count Binface and the Incredible Flying Brick.

Power FM callers link alcohol abuse to election apathy

Callers argue that alcohol abuse fuels crime and keeps South Africans from voting, while urging stronger enforcement of bylaws.

Machele predicts a shaky GNU and pressure on Ramaphosa

Political analyst Prince Machele says election losses will weaken Ramaphosa and put South Africa’s reforms on hold.

MKP leads poll as ANC drops to third in Etawini

A new poll puts MKP first in Etawini, with the DA overtaking the ANC ahead of the November 4 election.

Count Binface pitches Pluto vote and nationalised Adele

Count Binface’s by-election manifesto, drafted with children, includes a Pluto referendum and a proposal to nationalise Adele.

Tara Russ says South Africa was 2024 election’s real winner

Political analyst Tara Russ says the 2024 election showed South Africa’s democracy remained resilient despite a major ANC setback.