#Tsotsi and #ThePeoplesBae: Twitter’s highlights of #SONA2017

If there’s one thing South Africans can be proud of, it’s our resilience. After last night’s chaotic #SONA2017, or more formally the State of the Nation Address, it would have been easy to fixate on the dire state of the country. But true to form, South Africans did not let the negativity ruin their night.

Armed only with their tweets, they made sure to have a little fun amid the chaos.

Naturally, the first to come under direct fire was the country’s #1 himself, President Jacob Zuma. EFF MPs did not relent in their criticism of the Commander in Chief, providing plenty of ammo for the eager audience.

#Tsotsi

The first insult flung on the night was chimed by Julius Malema’s EFF. Cries of “Tsotsi” rung around the National Assembly as the President made his entrance.

Who did this?😂😂😂#Tsotsi#SONA2017pic.twitter.com/i1em5QNZxL

— Ozo (@MasukuNontokozo) February 9, 2017

But that was certainly not the last…

This was the funniest moment 😂😂👇#SONA2017pic.twitter.com/b917KSxtVf

— SPHECTACULAR SKITS (@VinesBySphe) February 9, 2017

“Mr Zuma please leave. You are a constitutional delinquent!” #SONA2017pic.twitter.com/htlHXfAcqw

— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) February 9, 2017

The EFF may have given the insults a jump charge, but criticism stuck around long after they had been evicted.

The EFF was violently removed from parliament so that ANC MPs can sleep peacefully as Zuma speaks. 😴😴😴😴😴#SONA2017@Julius_S_Malemapic.twitter.com/5Hl4FnPa70

— Cam (@CamModisane) February 9, 2017

#ThePeoplesBae

While Zuma was proving to be the antagonist for many a viewer, two love interests made their way into the narrative.

The EFF’s Mbuyiseni Quintin Ndlozi and the UDM’s Nqabayomzi Kwankwa fought it out for Twitter’s heart.

Our bae should never ever be manhandled #SONA2017 #thepeoplesbae pic.twitter.com/jjs61eMpaB

— M O S A 💕 (@Mosajess) February 9, 2017

In other #SONA2017 : It appears the people have a new Bae! #ThePeoplesBae 2.0 pic.twitter.com/Hcs1CtBNmX

— www.katlegomaboe.com (@KatlegoMaboe) February 10, 2017

Please step aside, #Saltbae.

The actual #SONA2017 address

And of course, when it was finally time for President Zuma to give his address, Twitter started checking out.

#SONA2017 EFF was just kicked out. Its about to get boring now 😥 pic.twitter.com/Ag28CSb5Nm

— Amanda (@amanda_mpedi) February 9, 2017

DA like#SONA2017 pic.twitter.com/pOzrSh8htx

— Anjali. (@Anjalaaay) February 9, 2017

Mbete: “…we cannot waste the time of South Africans any more than we have…”
South Africans: “Noooo bbz. We’ve got all nite.”#SONA2017pic.twitter.com/SqoL6kRuAP

— Asanda Magaqa (@asandamagaqa) February 9, 2017

It may not feel like the South African government will fix its glaring problems any time soon, but one thing’s for sure: South Africa will tweet until it does.

When you are in Parliament but you know how lit black twitter is.🔥🔥🔥🔥 #SONA2017 pic.twitter.com/Dqpf4s8ntE

— No one 🇿🇦 (@Machakapuledi) February 9, 2017

If you missed President Zuma’s address, the fracas in the National Assembly, or any of the drama on #SONA2017 night, be sure to catch up with our coverage here.

Feature image: Parliament of RSA via YouTube