Weekend News in Tweets: #RememberKhwezi, Oscar in hospital, Rio Olympics & more

rio olympic games 2016 opening ceremony

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.

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”.

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.

Moving away from politics, the Rio Olympic Games 2016 kicked off Friday to a colourful, and vibrant opening ceremony.

The South African Olympic team was also in joyous spirits parading through the Maracana Friday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Feature image: Jorge Andrade via Flickr

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