October brings much joy to those in the southern hemisphere – the weather starts getting warmer and flowers are seen everywhere, especially in South Africa’s Western Cape which I call home. October also marks World Mental Health Day which is celebrated on 10 October. 

2024 has been dubbed the ‘super election year’. According to Statista, “around half the world’s population lives in the more than 60 countries holding national elections in 2024, and with roughly two billion eligible voters, this is being described as the largest election year in history.”