2024 Elections | Populism and its impact on political discourse

On May 29, South Africans will go to the polls in the seventh round of national and provincial government elections since the country's democratic transition in 1994. Voters will be able to choose among 11 independent candidates and 70 political parties following processes of verifications and objections, contesting 887 seats in the upcoming elections.
The stakes are high as 27.79 million registered voters according to the IEC will receive three ballot papers to elect candidates to represent them in the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures.
Ballots will be distributed amongst the 23 292 voting stations.
Populism has become a hotly discussed topic in debates on the current state of politics. While some are of the view that populism offers the promise of democratic renewal, bringing new actors and policies into the political system, others view it as a threat to a functioning democracy.
Contested issues surrounding populism, how populism is changing political discourse in SA and the relationship between populism and democracy are some of the issues we will explore further with Political Analyst Sandile Swana who joins us via video link.
For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.

[@nedor64]

South Africa will hopefully change after 29May we cannot afford a one party dominated state as it is now it is dangerous and undemocratic. South Africa is in serious trouble economically and socially because of one party rule since 1994.

[@mandlenkosishabalala8890]

For the first time, the analysis of Sandile Swana makes a lot of sense to me.He is very comprehensive and global in his deliberations. More than often populism becomes impractical as it moves against time to bring some outdated thinking as part of furthering a particular discourse. To cite one glaring example. The EFF during the debate on expropriation of land without compensation insisted that once the land becomes expropriated it should be distributed nationally; thereby phasing out private landownership. Populism, in my opinion; to be workable it needs a pragmatical backup. That is what is lacking with most of the populist movements.

[@shafiyaalgiquadra1105]

7:56 Mr. Swana felt the cold grip of the no names😂😂

[@colourinmyrainbow]

Indeed! Cutting out/censoring the juicy Israel part! 🤨

[@zenzonxele9509]

So people should avoid being popular. It's a very bad thing

[@seanbouw]

Communism
Capitalism
Popularism
all this means nothing
Let just go vote

[@nellietlale1491]

Agreed