Of bicycle lanes and running water

15 July 2016 - Erna van Wyk

Vying for hearts, minds, and some #WitsVotes at the #WitsDebate in the Great Hall.

Partnering with Facebook¡¯s Policy and Governance team ¨C a first for a university ¨C and with the social media giant¡¯s official video publishing partner, Groovy Gecko, Wits University streamed its very first live event via Facebook Live last night.

If you¡¯ve missed the Wits Great Debate: 2016 Municipal Elections , you can watch the playback on the Wits ¨C University of the Witwatersrand Facebook page. [Length: 00:57:21; Starting time: 00:03:00]

But before the live streaming, as the sun set on the Great Hall¡­

¡­and the @eNCA team was doing the final checks inside for the live broadcast of the #WitsDebate...

¡­the red, blue and yellow supporters were staking out their territory.

Floyd Shivambu (EFF), Herman Mashaba (DA) and Geoffrey Makhubo (ANC) initially had a tough time delivering their opening remarks as emotions ran high and @eNCA anchor, Siki Mgabadeli, had to warn the audience to settle down or the debate would be cancelled.

The three candidates then settled in to do Battle for Joburg and, while each might have impressed their supporters in the Great Hall, social media was less forgiving.

Hairman #Mashaba was the weakest of the debaters at the #WitsDebate . Disappointing

¡ª Mo (@MityMo786) July 15, 2016

"@thulaxolani: EFF Floyd only making empty promises where is the EFF going to get the money from? HermanforMayor #WitsDebate" Exactly!!

¡ª Let's Be Honest!?? (@b_2honest) July 15, 2016

Have you made up your mind?

What a time to be alive. Vote on August 3rd #WitsDebate #WitsGreatDebate #eNCADebate pic.twitter.com/mnmqapBh8R

¡ª Thoko Jean (@thoko_jean) July 14, 2016

#WitsExpert Daryl Glaser shares his expectations