Friday’s proposed #NationalShutdown gains traction on social media

The past few days in South Africa have been tumultuous to say the least. We haven’t seen protests or mass mobilisation from the public (at least not yet anyway), but the country’s nearly eight-million Twitter users have seemingly had enough, whichever side of the fence they may stand.

#NationalShutdown began trending on Twitter across South Africa at 11am SAST, at the same time the ANC National Working Committee was due to address media regarding leaked minutes from an internal meeting.

The ANC labelled this leak as “erroneous communication” late Tuesday evening, which also revealed the party’s stance on its leadership structure, its views on Cosatu and the SACP, and the “sustained destabilisation of the ANC since 2012”.

ERRONEOUS COMMUNICATION NOT VIEWS OR STATEMENT OF THE ANC pic.twitter.com/Acl0n0buCi

— Year of OR Tambo (@MYANC) April 4, 2017

The notes, and comments made by ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, deputy secretary general Jesse Duarte and spokesperson Zizi Kodwa haven’t sat well with South Africans.

#NationalShutdown and #junkstatus: hashtags as social mouthpieces

Many users used the hashtag to express their disdain at the ANC’s stance alongside President Jacob Zuma, and threatened to ditch the party in future elections. Others called the current South African leadership structure a “dictatorship”.

At the end of the day, the question is do you still want Zuma to be your President #NationalShutdown

— khenso manganyi (@kamanganyi) April 5, 2017

#NationalShutdown our country needs to be saved form dictatorship that it turned out to be because of one person.

— Sibabale (@Sibabale17) April 5, 2017

#NationalShutdown the veterans didn’t sacrifice their lives for what Zuma is doing to this country. We will stand and fight, come what may.

— Shawn Moropa (@Shawnmoropa) April 5, 2017

This is not about Black or White… This is a National issue #NationalShutdown

— Pauline Tshabalala (@Pauline_RSA) April 5, 2017

So much to lose for protecting one man who is taking everything for himself #NationalShutdown

— Mathivha Mboniseni (@Mbonysen) April 5, 2017

South Africa’s politicians have also weighed in, most notably EFF’s leader Julius Malema, who labelled Gwede Mantashe a “dubious old man”.

I warned you South Africa that #Gwede will say something completely different after #ANCNWC, exceptionally dubious old man.

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) April 5, 2017

I hope all those in the “leave the ANC to resolve this” brigade have watched the outcome of the NWC carefully. Incapable of self correcting!

— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) April 5, 2017

The bottom line is this: @SAPresident has won! https://t.co/qq3cw97vP2

— David Maynier MP (@DavidMaynier) April 5, 2017

However not everyone on the social network was buying the #NationalShutdown rhetoric.

Some questioned the sudden patriotism, and criticised the lack of support from privileged South Africans during the #FeesMustFall movement or the land ownership debate. Others questioned the real reasoning behind the #NationalShutdown — political or financial?

I will not be participating in #nationalshutdown protest because it won’t change anything.

— O THE VɅLIɅNT (@kenna_OAM) April 5, 2017

I will not support this #NationalShutdown

— Mother●Of●Dragons (@Black_Jewel_Dee) April 5, 2017

#NationalShutdown is indicative of the legitimacy of white privilege. Tomorrow they can call for a shutdown 4 free eduction every1 will join

— Sello Mashibini (@S_Mashibini) April 5, 2017

It’s funny how we never came together on the issue of land!!!#NationalShutdown

— Nomfundo mkhize (@NOMFUNDOMKHIZE) April 5, 2017

#Feesmustfall students were labeled as hooligans and criminals by the very same people who now want everyone to join the #NationalShutdown

— Kagiso Matthews (@kagisomatthews) April 5, 2017

So white people want is to join them with the #NationalShutdown to protect their wealth?? Wowza yazi ni brave!! pic.twitter.com/3jV7sknMbD

— AZANIAwillRise (@nqaba37) April 4, 2017

Another posed this idea…

Can we just remove Zuma first, then we can go back to hating each other… #NationalShutdown

— Lehlohonolo Diox (@i_diox) April 5, 2017

Ultimately, the notion of a “national shutdown” isn’t to be taken lightly. Just last year, Zimbabwe’s citizens engaged in a similar stay-away protest in August using the hashtag #ThisFlag in protest. Their access to a number of social media networks was hampered, with many believing that the government played a part.

Additionally, the Government has noted that the stay-away will impact the country’s “fragile economy”.

The value of the Rand has dropped by over R1.50 to the US Dollar since 27 March. The country was also given the investor rating status of “junk” by ratings agency Standard & Poor earlier this week.