US elections at a glance - what you need to know if you’re in South Africa

In his interview with Newzroom Afrika, Daily Maverick’s international relations expert, J Brooks Spector, explains why South Africans should keep a close eye on the elections in America: “You don’t get to vote, but you certainly have a stake.”

He highlights how the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) affects South African exports: “Agoa, which gives unfettered, non-tariff access to American markets, has a significant impact on South Africa’s manufacturing and agricultural commodities. It might well be under threat, as it comes up for renewal next year. If a foreign policy or international economic policy by a president is starkly transactional and insists on a whole range of quid pro quos, that could be an issue.”

On broader foreign policy implications, Spector points out: “The idea that foreign assistance in its many different forms might be an issue as well – all of these things affect South Africa and South Africans fairly directly. But the larger international climate obviously has an impact, because South Africa is largely an export-driven country, and you need the stability of the international trading regime for the country’s success.”

And, touching on the concept of democracy itself, he adds: “In a more indirect way, the defence of democracy as a concept, both domestically in the US and internationally, has ramifications for this country as well.”

What would Harris or Trump do for South Africa?

What are the voting and poll closure times? When will results be announced?

Which TV channels in South Africa will broadcast live coverage of the election?

• eNCA on DStv Channel 403;


• SABC News on DStv Channel 404; and


• Newzroom Afrika (DStv Channel 405).

Other news sites covering the US elections: