702’s election coverage: Engaging the community and leading the conversation

Community Voices: Electing City Hall
In the run-up to the national elections, 702 hosted a series of election town hall meetings in Ga-Rankuwa, Katlehong and Soweto, which were broadcast on The Clement Manyathela Show. These town hall meetings, held in March, April and May, were crucial in bringing political discussions directly to the people. Community representatives voiced their concerns, which included responses from party leaders and elected officials such as the Prime Minister, Mayor and MEC. These conversations not only highlighted local issues, but also facilitated transparent communication between voters and leaders.

Presidential Insights: Exclusive Interviews
702 further demonstrated its journalistic prowess when it hosted ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa on Primedia on 20 May 2024. In an interview with Clement Manyasela and EWN’s Tshidi Madia, President Ramaphosa touched on key topics including Zuma’s Constitutional Court ruling, ongoing power cuts and reflections on his first term in office. In a defining moment, he confidently declared: “I will be re-elected, I will complete my term and ‘service’ is the key word; to serve the people of South Africa.” The candid exchange gave listeners a glimpse into the president’s vision and commitment.

Election Day: Live, Unfiltered
On election day, 702’s commitment to comprehensive coverage was on full display. Clement Manyathela’s morning show, broadcast live from Joubert Park, South Africa’s largest polling station, began at 9am. Despite initial delays at the polling station due to technical glitches, Clement’s on-the-ground intervention prompted IEC to act quickly to ensure a smooth voting process. Mandy Wiener continued her live coverage, demonstrating 702’s unwavering commitment to providing timely and accurate election updates.

From polls to results: Broadcast from the IEC Center
Immediately after the election, Radio 702 shifted its focus to the IEC’s Results Operations Centre (ROC). Over the next two days, the station broadcast extensively from the ROC, interviewing political leaders and representatives from all political parties. Presenters Bongani Bingwa, Clement Manyathela, Mandy Wiener, Relebogile Mabotja, John Perlman and Aubrey Masango provided expert analysis and led discussions to help listeners make sense of the unfolding results.

Finale: Special Election Results Show
The culmination of 702 TV’s outstanding election coverage was a special results show broadcast from 5pm to 8pm on Sunday 2 June, covering the IEC’s election bulletins. Hosted by Bongani Bingwa, Clement Manyathela, Mandy Wiener and John Perlman, the show provided live updates from the ROC scene, interspersed with interviews with political leaders from all parties. The show not only reported the results, but also provided key insights into the impact of the election results.

Looking Ahead: Planning for South Africa’s Future
With the dust from the elections settled, the focus now turns to the formation of a new government. Key dates include the release of the official list on 5 June, the inauguration of the President, and the swearing-in of new members of Parliament from 2 to 5 July. During this critical period, 702 remains steadfast in its commitment to providing in-depth reporting and analysis to guide the public through South Africa’s complex political landscape.