---
title: "Watch – Manufactured praise: The strange campaign around Senzo Mchunu"
description: "Senior journalist Rebecca Davis highlights a disturbing trend on South African social media: fake accounts, copy-paste tweets, and manufactured praise for politicians. From the ANC to ActionSA, online manipulation is simulating public support and it’s already impacting political discourse. With the 2026 elections around the corner, this could be a threat to democracy."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "VIDEO"
author: "Rebecca Davis"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/rebeccadavis-2-2/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-09-watch-manufactured-praise-the-strange-campaign-around-senzo-mchunu/"
published: "2025-07-09T19:56:25"
updated: "2025-07-09T19:57:39"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 46
---

# Watch – Manufactured praise: The strange campaign around Senzo Mchunu

> Senior journalist Rebecca Davis highlights a disturbing trend on South African social media: fake accounts, copy-paste tweets, and manufactured praise for politicians. From the ANC to ActionSA, online manipulation is simulating public support and it’s already impacting political discourse. With the 2026 elections around the corner, this could be a threat to democracy.

By Rebecca Davis · Published 9 July 2025, 21:56 SAST · Updated 9 July 2025, 21:57 SAST

## Key points
- In a world where political promises are as fleeting as a TikTok trend, a new exposé takes us behind the curtain to reveal just how much of our democracy is being sold to the highest bidder.
- The video features a comprehensive report by Rebecca Davis, highlighting key issues affecting democracy.
- Animation and editing by Rufaro Chiswo enhance the visual storytelling.
- Filming credits include Bernard Kotze and Joel Seboa, showcasing a collaborative effort.
- Viewers are encouraged to support independent journalism by becoming Maverick Insiders.

## Content

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrL2JR6j5s8)

Reporting by: Rebecca Davis
Edited by: Rufaro Chiswo
Animation by: Rufaro Chiswo
Produced by: Emilie Gambade
Filmed by: Bernard Kotze & Joel Seboa
Sub-edited by: Mike van Olst

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