South Africans could be in for a juicy live debate on national television scheduled for just 10 days before the elections.
It has emerged that the SABC has invited ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, DA leader Mmusi Maimane, and EFF leader Julius Malema to a live debate on 28 April, 2019.
Twitter user @TVwithThinus first broke the news on Tuesday, adding that the debate would air on SABC2 and SABC News TV channels.
The Big Debate’s Redi Tlhabi would be the moderator if the debate indeed happens.
Redi Tlhabi confirmed that invites have been sent. However, she emphasised that none of the three leaders has confirmed yet.
Maimane gleefully said that he’s ready to go toe to toe with Ramaphosa on South Africa’s biggest issues.
“It’s about time that we debate solutions for growing our economy, creating jobs and eradicating corruption,” he added.
Speaking at a campaign event, Maimane also said he hopes Ramaphosa would attend the debate to “defend” the past 25 years.
It’s unclear at this stage whether Ramaphosa and Malema will attend or not.
However, ANC’s Head of Elections Fikile Mbalula replied to Tlhabi’s tweet saying his party is prepared to send any of its leaders to the debate.
Interestingly, Mbalula tweeted to Maimane arguing that South Africa doesn’t have a presidential race.
We don’t have something called [a] presidential race in South Africa; that is [a figment] of your own imagination. Any of our party leaders will debate with anyone, including you.
Fikile Mbalula