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Too soon, South Africa? #AdamCatzavelos challenge is already a meme
Adam Catzavelos, the South African whose racial slur-loaded video found its way onto Twitter, is already a meme.
In said viral video which appeared on the social network on Tuesday, Catzavelos gives his viewers a brief weather report from an exotic beach, adding that there’s not “one k***** in sight”.
Political parties and prominent social media users soon laid into Catzavelos, with the EFF in particular laying a case against him. But it seems that some South Africans are finding a more inventive and immediate way to respond to his comments.
The hashtag #AdamCatzavelosChallenge briefly trended on Twitter in South Africa on Wednesday afternoon, and with it introduced a new video meme format.
The “challenge” sees participants providing their own weather reports, mocking Catzavelos’s video.
Some clips have already amassed more than 10 000 views.
😂😂😂 I couldn’t help it. I’m done with Hadidas.🙈#AdamCatzavelos #AdamCatzavelosChallenge pic.twitter.com/WhhrjnD0Ho
— The Eazy-Ed🌐 (@eazyed47) August 22, 2018
Ginger Love💚 find us @ginger_wellness#AdamCatzavelosChallenge #AdamCatzavelos pic.twitter.com/hpcGGdff4H
— Simone’simmy Klaasen (@simmy043) August 22, 2018
Let me give you guys a quick weather forecast here #AdamCatzavelosChallenge pic.twitter.com/HQmC8q2l5r
— Tats Nkonzo (@TatsNkonzo) August 22, 2018
University students fully embraced the video format too and the lack of lecturers in particular.
#AdamCatzavelos video#AdamCatzavelosChallenge#racismmustfall pic.twitter.com/T0qNmCtSh1
— AmbassadorGath (@moyogathel) August 22, 2018
#AdamCatzavelosChallenge
My friend and i just couldn’t miss out… pic.twitter.com/tqSWR5NDC9— Kwanele (@Kwan3l3_N3l3) August 22, 2018
Commuters too are uploading their clips of empty trains (a definite rarity in Cape Town at least).
#AdamCatzavelosChallenge #capemetro pic.twitter.com/2nNxSrJsys
— I.G.Bruzado (@bruzado23) August 22, 2018
Comedian David Kau also joined in, with his video featuring not “one f****** car guard”. The video also received a RT from DJ Fresh to boot.
Just another day in South Africa 🇿🇦 Have a better day today🤗🌝 #AdamCatzavelos #AdamCatzavelosChallenge #SouthAfrica #🇿🇦 #Racism pic.twitter.com/zTe52SzZhI
— DavidKau (@davidkau1) August 22, 2018
It’s debatable that users should not make light of the seriousness of the video’s prejudice, however, it’s also debatable that mocking the original video is a direct response to the racism presented within it.
Nevertheless, some users questioned the challenge as a valid response format.
Not everything has to be a challenge.. 😑😑 wow stop #AdamCatzavelosChallenge
— Karyn Full Cream (@KareinMayo) August 22, 2018
You got to love SA every thing is a challenge, but I’m concerned, will it still be a challenge if a guy rapes a woman and post a vid? #AdamCatzavelosChallenge pic.twitter.com/nqjAj7Pq7L
— HUNT DREAMS (@DREAM_DONATER) August 22, 2018
However you feel, it’s clear that the fledgling meme’s showing no signs of slowing down, at least for the remainder of the week.
Feature image: Andy Walker/Memeburn