There’s no denying that in South African politics, Twitter is the EFF’s platform. Its leader Julius Malema has 1.3-million followers and engages with them on a regular basis — compared to President Jacob Zuma of the ANC, who hasn’t tweeted since 2013.
Exactly, the liberation of the mind is very important pic.twitter.com/9XrxGGeCze
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— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) March 21, 2017
And when it comes to popular hashtags, the party’s supporters come out in troves to support its politics, often drowning out dissenting voices.
This weekend, Black First Land First, the Pan-Africanist party founded by ex-EFF member Andile Mngxitama, started the hashtag #EFFSoldOut.
#EFFSoldOut Former @EFFSouthAfrica Treasurer General Magdalene Moonsamy believes the party sold out black South Africans when it decided –
— BLACK 1ST LAND 1ST (@Black1stLand1st) March 26, 2017
Former EFF Treasurer General Magdalene Moonsamy gave an interview to Jacaranda FM in which she claimed the party sold out by partnering with the DA after last year’s local elections. BLF latched on to this allegation, but most Twitter users blamed “Paid Twitter” — referring to the ANC War Room that paid users to promote its party.
Looks like the Guptas released some funds for #EFFSoldOut
— Kalahari Mgibisa (@KalahariHD) March 26, 2017
Only one party has a known history of paid twitter. Unless there is evidence of another one then this #EFFSoldOut is ANC driven.
— TweetGuru (@JustKholii_) March 26, 2017
Andile Mngxitama must try and take a bath at least every week. Maybe he’d be able to come up with a better strategy. #EFFSoldOut
— Opinionated Black (@TiyaniMbhalati) March 27, 2017
BLF be provoking the EFF with this #EFFSoldOut nonsense the whole day until the EFF retaliate. pic.twitter.com/QBgUXTHut7
— Benedick M Louw (@benedicklouw) March 26, 2017
But some agreed with BLF’s claims.
Sell outs hate to be called out but they are quick to do the same! #EFFSoldOut #NationaliseSARB NOW!
— brian ungovernable (@BUngovernable) March 27, 2017
When your leader idolises people like Fidel Castro and Robert Mugabe you should probably reconsider your following that leader #EFFSoldOut
— I’ll be honest (@MOHALE94) March 26, 2017
And some just believed EFF supporters on Twitter were not capable of reaping what they sowed.
So #EFF fanatics are spitting venom over #effsoldout
take as much as you give. — #RememberMarikana (@LiberalsAreNaiv) March 27, 2017
Like most negative hashtags, #EFFSoldOut trended at number one this weekend — mostly due to defenders using the hashtag to question it.
This may be what BLF wanted, leaving it unclear who won this battle.
Featured image: GovernmentZA via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)
