The South African government should know by now: Twitter does not take anything seriously. So when it created #AskThePublicProtector, it should have come as no surprise that no one was using it to ask Busisiwe Mkhwebane questions she would ever read aloud.
Mkhwebane has only been working as Public Protector since October last year, so she may not fully grasp the way South Africans deal with politics on Twitter.
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The platform allows a certain level of anonymity — and the users hold the power. On Twitter, the public are able to throw comments they never would in person. They can post without fear of retaliation or without even the certainty their comment will be seen.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane replaced Thuli Madonsela as South Africa’s public protector in October 2016
They post with no holds barred — and the outcome is usually hilarious.
#AskThePublicProtector
Please investigate why cashiers don’t greet us when we haven’t done anything wrong— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) February 20, 2017
Why does our national anthem sound like incy wincy spider #AskThePublicProtector
— Tshezi (@Jalamba89) February 20, 2017
You are always seeking legal advice, when are you going to start working mara?
#AskThePublicProtector— Kabelo
oahloli (@KMoahloli) February 20, 2017
Where is my data #AskThePublicProtector
— GABRIEL JESUS (@GABIGOL__) February 20, 2017
Is this an accurate depiction of the new Public Protector trying to fill Thuli Madonsela’s big shoes? #AskThePublicProtector pic.twitter.com/ZMvfsEWw1g
— Ducking King (@MumblingEgg) February 20, 2017
#askthepublicprotector is it a good idea to get back with my ex?
— Lihle precious (@tpreshym) February 20, 2017
The government clearly weren’t paying attention to last year’s #AskMmusi endeavour, in which DA Leader Mmusi Maimane also tried to engage with the public over Twitter. Instead of serious questions about what the leader intends to do, Twitter hit him with taunts and jokes.
#AskThePublicProtector What is this called? I did #AskMmusi last year as well, but no answer from him
pic.twitter.com/e7uxhNpL2l — Reverend Rob. (@RobForbesDJ) February 20, 2017
Whether it was her intention or not, Mkhwebane definitely found out what the public thought of her today.
Feature image: GovernmentZA/Elmond Jiyane/GCIS via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)
