It’s that time of the year when we start introspecting about the highs and lows of 2015, and where better to do that than on social media?
From student protests to celebrity tiffs, Twitter made sure South Africans got their bite-sized outrage, rants and reflections trending.
Under the hashtag #ThingsTo-BeLeftIn2015 this week, we were reminded of the events that had us hammering away at the keyboards of our phones or laptops.
On a serious note, there was:
#FeesMustFall
The nationwide protests against fee increases and the outsourcing of cleaning staff in higher education institutions is undoubtedly the year’s biggest talking point.
Students used social media, particularly Twitter, to express their views and galvanise support for the protests. They also exposed barbaric acts of police violence and intimidation.
In the end, their demands for a no-fee increase and an end to outsourcing were met by some institutions, but the fight for access to affordable education is far from over.
#ThingsToBeLeftIn2015 An education system that entrenches poverty and inequality
— Gavin Davis (@gavdavis) November 16, 2015
#DianneKohlerBarnard
In a humiliating lesson on how not to use social media, Democratic Alliance MP Dianne Kohler Barnard shared a Facebook post that called for the return of former apartheid- era president PW “Groot Krokodil” Botha. Cue Twitter outrage, and punishment – she was expelled for bringing the party into disrepute.
See what happens when you press “share” or “tweet” without reading? Here’s hoping Kohler Barnard and others have learned their lesson – tweeting without thinking must fall!
#Load-shedding
Eskom chief Brian Molefe announced that there will likely be no load-shedding until at least April 30 2016. Well, that’s frankly not good enough – we’d like our lights on. Give us a break, Eskom. We demand lasting solutions.
#ZumaNumbers
Hopefully Number 1 will take time during the December holidays to practice how to read numbers out loud and accurately. I still don’t understand why it’s called a “prepared speech for delivery” if the person who delivers the speech didn’t even practise reading the numbers before addressing the nation. Mr President, take us seriously.
LMAO RT”@SkepticNamibian: Presidents that can’t read numbers #ThingsToBeLeftIn2015“
— Kuhle (@redboots95) November 17, 2015
#CassperNyovestvsAKA
The feud between AKA and Cassper Nyovest, whose “diss tracks” of each other have divided hip-hop fans, must end. Their fans continue to trade blows on Twitter, but others are long over the drama. Gents, please stop acting like schoolboys.
Now on to the more entertaining tweets that came out of #ThingsToBeLeftIn2015.
SMS’s telling me that I’ve won R800-000 #ThingsToBeLeftIn2015
— Deucez mbambo (@Deucez_Mbambo) November 16, 2015
Bathroom selfies, Sunday sessions and whatsapp family groups. Oh and Filter. #ThingsToBeLeftIn2015
— Elnied Kaurora (@elnied_kaurora) November 16, 2015
#ThingsToBeLeftIn2015 Money that I Owe You.
— MisJudged99Party04. (@bhuT_LuLo) November 16, 2015
“Please send me your picture” #ThingsToBeLeftIn2015
— Boitumelo Khuele (@BoiQuiiler) November 16, 2015
#ThingsToBeLeftIn2015 those Desmond & Lilian Dube & bra Hugh Masekela adverts
— Mr Man (@KabeloMac101) November 16, 2015
#ThingsToBeLeftIn2015 females who remove their eyebrows, then re-draw them again
— Iam_MamaKa (@OMS_ItsHer) November 17, 2015
People who send DMs asking about their music after you just followed them.#ThingsToBeLeftIn2015https://t.co/difHjc9OFr
— Natalie (@RepNeti) November 19, 2015
As for me, the things I’d like to see the back of this year are trolls, skinny jeans, black tax, stolen tweets, nyaope and snake pastors.
Sthembiso Sithole is the Mail & Guardian’s social media editor.
