On Monday, the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) made its party lists open to the public, revealing the 14,662 candidates nominated by political parties to fill the seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures after the May 29 elections. We take a look at the more eye-catching features.

Most desperate way to ensure your party ends up near the top of the ballot sheet: Give it a name that starts with a hashtag, even though the Gen Zs will find it so cringe. Looking at you, #Hope4SA. (It should be noted that this technique is by no means infallible: the ultimate order of the first parties on the ballot sheet is determined by a draw.)

Political philanderers: The IEC has announced that 42 candidates appeared on more than one party list. These candidates deserve our grudging respect, because most of us don't have the energy to stand for election for one party, let alone multiple simultaneously, but you have to imagine that the "I thought we were exclusive" conversation will now awkwardly ensue.

Hell hath no fury like... Julius Malema scorned. Hoo boy! EFF MP Naledi Chirwa, one of the stars of the Fallist movement and consequently one of the EFF's most high-profile parliamentarians, has been brutally demoted -- seemingly on account of #Gazebogate.

In brief: Chirwa missed the parliamentary vote in late February on the impeachment of judges John Hlophe and Nkola Motata and was subsequently required to publish a grovelling apology to the public,...