Indabazi. Opportunity, Jobs and Connections for South Africans. That’s what we are about. But elections are coming – the 2026 local elections – and social media will be everywhere. Some of it helpful, some of it harmful. In this article I will talk about the role of social media in South African elections, what went wrong before, and how Indabazi is preparing to keep the conversation honest so that real opportunities – jobs, bursaries, side‑hustles – don’t get buried under lies.
Let me begin by saying I’ve watched elections since I was old enough to vote. In 2019, I saw WhatsApp forwards that claimed voting machines were rigged. My own aunt believed it and almost didn’t vote. In 2021, a deepfake audio of a candidate spread on Twitter – sounded real but was completely fake. These things undermine trust. And when trust breaks, people stop engaging. That kills the indaba. And without the indaba, opportunities don’t flow. So we have to do better.
Past disinformation cases – what we learned (2019 and 2021)
Let me share two examples that stuck with me.
In 2019, false WhatsApp messages claimed voting machines were changing votes. A study by the University of Johannesburg found that one in five voters had seen election disinformation. One in five! That’s millions of people. My own family group had that message. I had to spend an hour finding fact‑checks to convince them it was fake.
In 2021, a deepfake audio of a political candidate circulated. It sounded exactly like them, saying something terrible. Later Africa Check proved it was fake, but the damage was done – the candidate’s polling numbers dropped for a few days before the truth came out. By then, the lie had already spread.
These events show that without proactive moderation, social media can destroy trust in democracy. Indabazi was built to be different. Because we are a digital town hall, not a rage machine.
How Indabazi will label political posts – transparency first
Starting June 1, 2026, any political advertisement (paid or promoted post) on Indabazi must include a clear disclosure. The label will say:
🔵 POLITICAL Post – Paid for by [Party/Organization Name]
Advertisers must verify their identity with Indabazi – business registration number or party registration. We will reject ads that do not comply. Users can report unlabelled political content using the “Political ad without disclosure” report option.
Why does this matter for opportunity? Because when political lies spread, people get distracted. They stop looking for jobs, they stop sharing leads, they stop helping each other. A community fighting about fake news isn’t a community sharing opportunities. So labeling political ads keeps the playing field clean.
Our fact‑checking partnership with Africa Check (I’m proud of this)
We are happy to announce a formal partnership with Africa Check, the continent’s leading fact‑checking organisation. During the election period:
- Any post reported as election‑related misinformation will be reviewed by Africa Check within 48 hours.
- If the claim is false, Indabazi will label it “Disputed – see fact check” with a link to the Africa Check article.
- Accounts that repeatedly post false election information will face stricter penalties (strike 2 or 3).
I’ve used Africa Check for years. When I see a dodgy claim, I go there first. Now we are integrating them directly into the platform. That means you don’t have to leave Indabazi to check if something is true. Just report it, and the experts will handle it.
You can follow Africa Check’s dedicated election hub at africacheck.org/elections-2026.
What you can do as a voter – don’t be a passenger
Elections are not a TV show. You are part of it. Here’s what you can do on Indabazi:
- Before sharing election news, verify with Africa Check or the IEC website. I always take 30 seconds to search. Saves embarrassment.
- Report suspicious political posts using the “Political ad without disclosure” or “Misinformation” options. The button is there for a reason.
- Encourage your local ward councillor to join Indabazi and answer questions in a public room. Imagine asking your councillor directly about potholes or water – and getting an answer. That’s democracy.
And here’s where the opportunity piece fits again. When politicians know that citizens are watching and fact‑checking, they are more honest. When they are more honest, service delivery improves. When service delivery improves, small businesses grow. When small businesses grow, jobs appear. That’s the chain. That’s why fighting disinformation is not separate from sharing opportunities – it’s the same fight.
A warning – spreading false election info has real consequences
Remember: Spreading false election information is not only against Indabazi’s rules – it may also violate the Electoral Code of Conduct. I’ve seen people get fined. I’ve seen accounts permanently banned. Your voice matters, but it must be truthful. If you’re not sure, don’t share. Just wait. The truth will come out.
What about the bigger social media platforms?
Facebook, Twitter, TikTok – they have fact‑checking programs too, but they are slow and inconsistent. A lie spreads for three days before they add a label. By then, millions have seen it. Indabazi is smaller, which means we can move faster. Our moderators and Africa Check can review reports within hours, not days. That’s the advantage of a dedicated digital town hall.
Also, those platforms were not built for South African provinces. A lie about KZN floods might show up for someone in Northern Cape who doesn’t know any better. On Indabazi, province badges add context. You can see if the person claiming “voting fraud” is even from your province – often they are not.
How you can help build an election‑ready Indabazi
Starting today, do these three things:
- Set your province if you haven’t already. It adds credibility to every post you make about elections.
- Follow the Political room. That’s where election discussions will live. Also follow Economic and Social – because elections affect jobs and communities too.
- Invite two friends or family members to join Indabazi before the elections. A bigger community means more eyes catching misinformation.
And remember – every time you share a real opportunity – a job, a bursary, a side‑hustle tip – you are building the kind of South Africa we want to vote for. Not just complaining about problems, but solving them together.
Troubleshooting – what if I see a political post without a label?
Report it. Use the “Political ad without disclosure” option. Even if you’re not sure, report and let our team investigate. It’s better to report ten clean posts than to miss one dirty one.
What about political posts from ordinary citizens (not paid ads)?
Ordinary citizens can still post their opinions freely. That’s free speech. The labeling rule only applies to paid or promoted content from political parties or organisations. If a normal user says “I support Party X”, that’s fine – no label needed. If a political party pays to boost a post, that’s when the label appears.
Final thoughts – elections are about the future, and so is Indabazi
The 2026 local elections will decide who fixes your roads, your clinics, your schools. Social media will shape what you believe about those candidates. Indabazi is here to make sure you believe the truth – not the loudest lie. We are not perfect, but with your help and Africa Check’s expertise, we can keep the indaba honest.
And when the elections are over, Indabazi will still be here. Sharing jobs. Sharing bursaries. Sharing side‑hustle tips. Because democracy is not one day every five years – it’s every day, in every conversation, every opportunity shared.
👉 Join the indaba at indabazi.co.za – and let’s build an election season we can be proud of.
Still have questions about elections and misinformation? Email support@indabazi.co.za or check Africa Check’s free resources. They have short videos that explain everything.
Social media can be a weapon or a tool. In 2019 and 2021, it was often a weapon. In 2026, on Indabazi, we are trying to make it a tool for truth and opportunity. Not because we are saints, but because we know that lies hurt real people – people looking for jobs, people trying to start businesses, people who just want their pothole fixed. So fact‑check before you share. Label political ads. Report suspicious posts. That’s how we protect the indaba. That’s how we share the opportunity. Join us.
