#FearFokol is trending on Twitter thanks to Julius Malema

Twitter is going to be the mouthpiece of many South Africans tonight, as President Jacob Zuma delivers his State of the Nation Address. For one particular EFF member dubbed Julius Malema, this especially rings true.

Malema, the leader of the second-biggest opposition party in SA, tweeted a short but rather quaint hashtag earlier today, reading simply as #FearFokol. This translates from Afrikaans slang to “fear nothing”.

While Malema hasn’t clarified exactly what he is referring to, we could make a few postulations.

For one, around 440 troops will be deployed around Parliament today in Cape Town, during Zuma’s address. Many believe that this is in fact to quell protests from the likes of the EFF from disruption proceedings (remember 2016’s SONA?).

#fearfokol

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 9, 2017

Nevertheless, whatever Malema’s reasoning, the catchy hashtag has already caught on. The tweet has garnered over 170 retweets and likes in less than an hour, propelling #FearFokol onto South Africa’s top trending hashtags list.

#FearFokol begain trending on South African Twitter around midday Thursday, after Julius Malema tweeted the hashtag

Other tweeters are now also using this hashtag, in conjunction with #SONA2017.

A hashtag of defiance

EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu also weighed in with his thoughts, incidentally using #FearFokol prior to Malema.

So despite the constitutional court ruling, @ParliamentofRSA still uses SAPS for parliamentary security thugs. We still #FearFokol! pic.twitter.com/YrLqoTGx2b

— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) February 9, 2017

We went to survey and understand the terrain prior to the #SONA2017, and the clarion call is still #FearFokol! pic.twitter.com/ucMFXutwxX

— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) February 9, 2017

The EFF though, and its supporters, are using the hashtag as a sign of defiance.

My thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women who will be fighting in the Battle of Sona in Cape Town this evening. #fearfokol

— Ben Trovato (@BTrovato) February 9, 2017

EFF no retreat no surrender ,#fearfokol

— lesley obakeng (@lesley_obakeng) February 9, 2017

President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address will officially kick off around 7pm tonight in Cape Town.

Be sure to stay tuned to Memeburn, in addition to our Twitter and Facebook accounts, for continued social analysis and #SONA2017 news throughout the day.

Additionally, have a look at these 10 Twitter accounts you should follow ahead of tonight’s SONA.