Amidst the tension brewing between South Africa and Nigeria following looting and attacks against foreign nationals in Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africans took to Twitter On Wednesday to let off some steam.
The #BokoHaramChallenge began trending after rumours surfaced that the infamous Boko Haram terrorist group would strike South Africa in revenge.
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South Africans found the threat incredibly funny and opted to mock the idea that terrorists are on their way.
#BokoHaramChallenge we’ve been through dangerous situations like Polony trying to kill us this is nothing pic.twitter.com/LHETaVAcpj
— S H A D E Y G R I Z Z L Y (@ThembinkosiNjo2) September 5, 2019
#bokoharamchallenge. Don’t forget the bulletproof vest.
pic.twitter.com/tAiZQ5nkgy — South Paw
(@honix_sa) September 5, 2019
South Africans are in safe hands Boko Haram won’t survive here. #BokoHaramChallenge pic.twitter.com/D3EgJ12wfo
— Man’s Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) September 5, 2019
Challenge accepted
We are ready for war
#BokoHaramChallenge pic.twitter.com/OSZDMY8Vfl — ILOVESOUTHAFRICA
(@Ammafourthy8_SA) September 5, 2019
Boko Haram: South Africa we are coming for you
South Africans:
#BokoHaramChallenge pic.twitter.com/DQfhZi1PVz
— C R E D O (@CredoChaka) September 5, 2019
Boko Haram doesn’t start a chance here
#BokoHaramChallenge pic.twitter.com/KdJ22g3E8h — Mmadikgosi Matshego (@Mmadikgosi_23) September 4, 2019
Of course, the thought of terrorism is quite serious, but after the week South Africans have had following rising gender-based violence concerns and subsequent protests, many welcomed the chance to have a little laugh.
#BokoHaramChallenge my reaction as l read the tweets…Mara …Mara bathong Bamodimo pic.twitter.com/v7Mt8Ov3Fy
— Xare (@Xare78402927) September 4, 2019
Twitter has been tense this week please go under #BokoHaramChallenge tag and laugh your ass off
shuuu pic.twitter.com/VGntHZ0PJg — kèlow Christopher
(@kelow_C) September 5, 2019
#BokoHaramChallenge
But my fellow Sans you are not taking Nigerians seriously nhe guyspic.twitter.com/T0OJXbKVQK — Where Are They Hiding Jamnadas
(@PravinMustGo) September 4, 2019
Thank you South Africans
I needed this after the past couple of days. #BokoHaramChallenge — Keletso Castro (@KeletsoParker) September 5, 2019
One Twitter user, however, did ask an important question.
“On a serious note, what happens when the Boko Haram sees this?? Do we have a plan B?” read the tweet.
On a serious note, what happens when the Boko Haram sees this?? Do we have a plan B? #BokoHaramChallenge pic.twitter.com/LbOQTFncoj
— #RipNene (@oyama_yaya) September 4, 2019
Meanwhile, the South African Government posted a short clip promoting peace and harmony for South Africans and Africa as a whole.
Government against violence pic.twitter.com/XEm3slKrdf
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 5, 2019
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had earlier this week spoke to the nation informally on Twitter, is set to address the country on “gender-based violence & femicide and incidents of public violence” later this evening.
Feature image: screenshot, @CredoChaka via Twitter
