South Africa wishes Jacob Zuma a happy birthday with #WhyIHateZuma

Oh South Africa. It’s your President’s birthday today and this is how you wish him?

#WhyIHateZuma has been on our watchlist for much of the day, leading the charge alongside #NationalDayOfAction and #BusStrike as the country’s big three trends this Wednesday. But it’s notable that the hashtag should feature so prominently on Zuma’s birthday.

President Jacob Zuma turns 75 today, but some on Twitter weren’t exactly wishing him a ‘happy birthday’

Turning 75 today, Jacob Zuma has had a tough beginning to 2017. After removing some screws on his cabinet for maintenance, the country has been about as wobbly as it’s ever been. April has been the month of protest, while the national currency is on the road to recovery after nearly hitting R14 to the US Dollar earlier this month.

ANC SENDS REVOLUTIONARY WELL WISHES TO CDE PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ON HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY pic.twitter.com/mJaGprZPL2

— Year of OR Tambo (@MYANC) April 12, 2017

But even though the ANC’s official account paid homage to its leader, South Africans on Twitter didn’t.

#WhyIHateZuma he lies, he cheats and he steals. Need i say more?

— Mordocai & Da Rigbys (@Kgomotsokekana5) April 12, 2017

As the economy fails is the high chances of South Africa not going to afford medicines that means HIV+ people will face horror #WhyIHateZuma

— Kay Mas (@Joedyd) April 12, 2017

#WhyIHateZuma He doesn’t respect us

— Kevin_Thato (@thatgenius_K) April 12, 2017

#WhyIHateZuma is the same reason why I hate the #ANC. It is;
– selfish,
– hateful,
– racist,
– greedy,
– crooked,
-corrupt,
-elitist. pic.twitter.com/hx7DXcVtvg

— Big Daddy Liberty (@SihleDLK) April 12, 2017

He destoyed the ANC and everything it represents, failed our education and health system and the poor & working class people #WhyIHateZuma

— Gryzelle (@gryzellestander) April 12, 2017

Zuma betrayed the youth, poor and the economy of this country. The only people who support him benefit from his corruption. #WhyIHateZuma

— Authentik☆Lunacy (@Lorde_KONG) April 12, 2017

#WhyIHateZuma when SA is in crisis he laughs nonstop instead of dealing with the problem!!!

— #IsithembisoMzansi (@nolundimalunda1) April 12, 2017

And that’s just a taste of the tweets filtering through in the past 15 minutes. The hashtag has been trending for much of Wednesday thus far.

#ZumaBirthday has also appeared on timelines today, but is primarily thanks to the ANC-organised celebrations due to take place at the Walter Sisulu Square, Soweto.

Jacob Zuma also shares his birthday with former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, who was one of the ministers to receive the axe during the president’s recent cabinet reshuffle/maintenance.

Feature image: GovernmentZA via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)