These are South Africa’s 10 most watched YouTube videos for 2014

As we head toward the end of the year, it’s inevitable that tech companies start releasing their years in review. We’ve already shown you what was big on Facebook and YouTube’s quirky rewind for 2014. But what’s big around the world isn’t necessarily what’s big in a specific country.

Take South Africa for instance. When you exclude videos from major music labels, the country’s most watched videos have far more of a political slant than the ones on the international list. That’s hardly suprising. Politics is, after all, largely a local phenomenon. It is interesting to see how prominent a role EFF leader Julius Malema plays on the list.

Read more: YouTube’s 2014 Rewind puts a fresh spin on the year’s best video moments

The founder of the upstart opposition party occupies three of the top 10 places while Mmusia Maimane, the opposition leader in the South African parliament, only occupies one.

Given the global prominence of the trial, it’s hardly surprising that at least one video concerning the athlete turned convicted criminal would make it onto the list. There were, of course a few feel good moments, including the Noko vs Izikhothane sketch occupying top spot, a reminder to look up from our phones every now and then and a couple of British kids taking on bullying through the medium of song.

1. Noko vs Izikhothane (Ramscomics)

2. Oscar Pistorius Animation: The night Oscar killed Reeva Steenkamp (enewschannel)

3. Julius Malema speech causes a stir in parliament (News24)

4. Caught On Camera: Snake Devours Crocodile After 5 Hour Battle (Barcroft TV)

5. ANC Ayisafani – DA TV ad (Democratic Alliance South Africa)

6. Mutant Giant Spider Dog (SA Wardega)

7. EFF takes on Zuma in Parliament (SABC Digital News)

8. Julius Malema reacts to SONA 2014 in parliament (SABC Digital News)

9. Bars & Melody – Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer act (Britain’s Got Talent)

10. Look Up (Gary Turk)