News moves at the speed of social media in today’s world, and that’s especially the case on the weekend. Take a look at the world news you might’ve missed this weekend through the 140-character lens of Twitter.
Welcome to the Weekend News in Tweets (5 August – 7 August).
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President Jacob Zuma was given a stark reminder of his past at the IEC National Elections centre this weekend. While revealing the final results of the local general elections, four women stood up in front of the stage and held up placards urging viewers to “#RememberKhwezi”. Khwezi is the name given to the woman who Zuma allegedly raped in 2005, while visiting his Johannesburg home.
We are all okay. Thank you #RememberKhwezi pic.twitter.com/qiOjgh1Jv4
— Simamkele Dlakavu (@simamkeleD) August 6, 2016
South African recording artist AKA landed himself in hot water thanks to his reaction to #RememberKhwezi. Those not in favour of his views formed the hashtag #AKAIsOverParty and vowed to unfollow the rapper on Twitter. AKA responded that the #RememberKhwezi campaign was meant to stir conversation, and argued that “Twitter does not have power to turn me into something I am not”.
Sorry, we can’t turn our country into a place where a man gets accused of rape, sees his day in court, beats it, and lives with it forever.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 6, 2016
Election results were finally made official this past Friday. While the DA won Tshwane, Cape Town (by majority) and Nelson Mandela Bay, the ANC took Johannesburg, eThekwini and Ekurhuleni.
.@MmusiMaimane speaking at our Thank You Rally in NMB #KhulaDA pic.twitter.com/IexfkK26fL
— DA Eastern Cape (@DAEasternCape) August 6, 2016
Moving away from politics, the Rio Olympic Games 2016 kicked off Friday to a colourful, and vibrant opening ceremony.
Messages of peace were written on the kites carried by children as they ran with Kipchoge Keino. #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/0ZMiEGblep
— Rio 2016 (@Rio2016_en) August 6, 2016
The South African Olympic team was also in joyous spirits parading through the Maracana Friday.
Our flag is flown high with pride in Rio #teamSArise pic.twitter.com/j4Vq1y3BJV
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) August 6, 2016
Another South African team that wasn’t quite as jubilant was the Lions. Facing the Hurricanes in the Super Rugby Final Saturday, the team from Johannesburg came out second best, in a 20-3 loss. It’s the Hurricanes’ maiden Super Rugby crown.
Thank you to all the Emirates Lions fans who has been on this incredible journey with us – we are so humbled by your support! #Lions4Life
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyUnion) August 6, 2016
Oscar Pistorius was sent to Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria Sunday after he sustained minor injuries to his wrists. While blades were reportedly found in his cell, other reports suggest that there’s no indication Pistorius engaged in self-harm.
Correctional services: #OscarPistorius “denied speculations of a suicide attempt”, suffered “minor injuries” pic.twitter.com/0JuEq4BSsz
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) August 7, 2016
This year’s incredible weather patterns were made known again this weekend in Mexico. At least five died as the result of landslides that struck the port city of Veracruz, after Tropical Storm Earl made landfall.
#TropicalStormEarl leaves six dead in #Veracruz https://t.co/GpUrH1fKUQ
— El Universal English (@Univ_inenglish) August 6, 2016
Violent weather also affected Macedonia’s capital Skopje this weekend, killing at least 15 and leaving much of the city flooded. According to the Macedonian weather service, the total rainfall for August fell in just over two hours.
Rain & wind storm that lashed #Macedonia capital, killing at least 20, left a trail of destruction & cut electricity pic.twitter.com/qHwTm5BS59
— Balkan Newsbeat (@BalkanNewsbeat) August 7, 2016
Feature image: Jorge Andrade via Flickr
