With every State of the Nation Address comes the barrage of political topics with which to keep up to date.
Will President Zuma be more specific about the “fundamental change” to South Africa’s economy, as the recent ANC Lekgotla professed? Will he mention #FeesMustFall or Esidimeni and the Health Department? Has his speech writer removed all numbers from his address?
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It can be difficult to keep up, so we have compiled a list of Twitter accounts to help you in the lead up to the address.
SA Gov News – @SAgovnews
President Jacob Zuma will present the SONA to a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament on 9 February 2017 at 19h00. pic.twitter.com/c0eyoX10uZ
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2017
This account does exactly what it says on the tin. @SAgovnews is the official South African government news agency – so take everything with a pinch of salt – but it is frequently updated with informative content.
The ANC – @MyANC
Return the land to the people using Constitutional means – #12ANCUrgentTasks #SONA2017 #PeoplesAssembly pic.twitter.com/kT9lw1BUi9
— #ANC105 (@MYANC) February 7, 2017
The EFF – @EFFSouthAfrica
#EFF: We wish you all a 2017 full of peace, social justice, equality and economic freedom in our lifetime. (25) #EFFOn2016
— EFF Official Account (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 30, 2016
The DA – @Our_DA
BREAKING: @Our_DA welcomes today’s judgement dismissing the SABC’s appeal that #Hlaudi is not fit to hold any position at the SABC.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 7, 2017
It is recommended that you follow these accounts as a package deal. Learn what is important to each party, as well as what is being avoided by each.
Karyn Maughan – @KarynMaughan
#Joostvanderwesthuizen dies two weeks before his 46th birthday. Heartbreaking news – particularly for his two children Kylie and Jordan.
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) February 6, 2017
Karyn Maughan is a journalist at eNCA, and she provides detailed insights into breaking news. This includes livetweeting major court cases, as well as breaking down confusing legal documents for the everyman.
Milisuthando Bongela – @missmillib
And the rape culture is perpetuated every time powerful people/ brands like MTN don’t take stands or engage urgent social crises cos koolnes
— milisuthando (@missmillib) February 3, 2017
Milisuthando Bongela is the arts editor at Mail & Guardian who tweets about gender and racial inequality in South Africa — her Twitter is both entertaining and informative.
NMMU’s #FeesMustFall – @NMMUFMF
We will not be intimidated into giving up a genuine struggle for the underprivileged in this country!
— #FeesMustFall (@NMMUFMF) January 24, 2017
The country has not seen the last of the Fees Must Fall protests, and this account (as well as others from UJ and Wits) will give you up-to-date happenings at South Africa’s universities.
Julius Malema – @Julius_S_Malema
We are ready for the so called #SONA, no amount of security presence can deter us, “A coward dies a thousand times before his death”.#Asijki
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 6, 2017
Mmusi Maimane – @MmusiMaimane
Attending DA caucus. It is going to be a year where we continue to hold the exec accountable,table alternatives & show SA, we are the future
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) February 2, 2017
Again, another package deal, except this one doesn’t include the leader of the ANC who has not updated his official Twitter account since 2013.
Africa is a Country – @africasacountry
This is where @Our_DA run @CityofCT (Mayor: @PatriciaDeLille) wants to relocate surplus poor coloured people to >https://t.co/85AjeQUQ8ppic.twitter.com/vawnp7vJSj
— AFRICA IS A COUNTRY (@africasacountry) February 2, 2017
Africa is a Country posts about issues affecting all African countries. They feature online commentary and original writing pieces that often give a voice to those who do not have one.
Do you feel we’ve left any accounts out? Let us know who you follow for your South African news, and be sure to follow @Memeburn on Twitter for coverage of #SONA2017.
