Baleka Mbete declares secret ballot: the Twitter before and after

South Africa’s Speaker of the House Baleka Mbete has announced that tomorrow’s vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma will be held under a secret ballot.

This comes after an announcement made in Parliament’s Goodhope Chambers on Monday.

While the news is welcoming for opposition parties and a test of strength for South Africa’s Constitution, it’s Twitter that saw the most remarkable change Monday.

Prior to the announcement, tweets were marred by a foreboding and defeatist tone, with many predicting that Baleka Mbete would declare an open ballot.

“She won’t! She will not do it!” one user exclaims.

She won’t! She will not do it! #BalekaMbete

— Cassandra Bianca (@cassandrabianca) August 7, 2017

#BalekaMbete She mustnt make us wait and then tell us that the parliamentarian s must vote on whether to go secret or not🙆.

— Cut-off low (@NjaYaTeng) August 7, 2017

#BalekaMbete I’m afraid she’ll not give us secret ballot voting manner

— Kgosi Mogapi (@mogapimk) August 7, 2017

After Balekas decision SA will be like… #CountryDuty #BalekaMbete #NoConfidence #noconfidencevote pic.twitter.com/T8xVxOXHlH

— DANNY🎀💗🎀 KAY (@BringBackAzania) August 7, 2017

But about 25 minutes later after the press conference concluded, Twitter’s subdued mood rapidly changed.

The UDM’s Bantu Holomisa and EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, lead with stern political commentary.

#SecretBallot . Bravo Speaker!

— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) August 7, 2017

Conscience prevails: and now it must prevail in the house tomorrow #SecretBallot

— IG: @MbuyiseniNdlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) August 7, 2017

What is clear is that Mbete has defied the party line. Which means all other members can do the same. Conscience must prevail

— #EFFTurns4 (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 7, 2017

Other social media users joined in.

“Today I love #BalekaMbete!” wrote one user.

The #secretballot is a go!
This could be turning point in South African politics; hopefully a good turning point 🤞🇿🇦

— Cris Robertson 🌊 (@karooyouth) August 7, 2017

Today I love #BalekaMbete! #SecretBallot.

— Everyone Matters! (@MediaCriticSA) August 7, 2017

I did not see this coming #SecretBallot #BalekaMbete pic.twitter.com/E3O4ZQ7WtH

— Cynthia Rose (@PhaksiM) August 7, 2017

#NoConfidence Breaking news, Guptas are said to be packing to Dubai after the speaker’s announcement

— Andile Zweni (@AndileZweni) August 7, 2017

I don’t beliiiiiiieeeeeeeeve it. The ANC must have a tight plan waitsi #BalekaMbete #NoConfidenceVote #NoConfidence

— ThatoTwala (@TahtoT) August 7, 2017

Wow, the #VoteOfNoConfidence will be done by #SecretBallot.

I’m actually surprised! Didn’t expect that. Looking forward to tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/R3Vr5jC5GF

— Karabo Mokgoko (@Karabo_Mokgoko) August 7, 2017

Madame Speaker … *cough cough* Madame President #SecretBallot pic.twitter.com/DM5pOqWQ9H

— SaxonwoldShebeen (@StateShebeen) August 7, 2017

#Mbete began trending shortly after the announcement, with #MotionOfNoConfidence featuring prominently in Cape Town and Durban.

The Motion of No Confidence vote against President Jacob Zuma will take place in Parliament tomorrow.

Feature image: GovernmentZA via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0, cropped)