Top Twitter Trends in South Africa for 2015

Ever since the Oscar trial, South Africa has become a nation that turns to Twitter when they want the latest breaking news. What’s happening in the world is simultaneously unfolding on Twitter. We are also a nation that loves to live tweet during reality TV shows (Sunday night anyone?) and of course we have always loved sport.

And here they are… the top 2015 Twitter trends for South Africa broken down into news, sport and TV.

NEWS

#FeesMustFall and #NationalShutdown sparked massive public debate and reached a global audience which saw students from around the world united. The movement also froze varisty fee increases for 2016 and showed us what solidarity for a good cause can do.

The Democratic Alliance hosted a Twitter Townhall, #AskMmusi, which showed us how wrong hashtags can go. This hashtag started trending for all the wrong reasons and people asked ridiculous (and sometimes funny) questions.

Who can forget The State of the Nation Address, #SONA2015? Pay back the money! Most watched the live broadcast and kept an eye on Twitter.

And what would 2015 be like without #Loadshedding. Everytime the lights went out, South Africans took to Twitter to get updates and complain.

SPORTS

sky, people, clouds — While Wimbledon didn’t make the list, South Africa is a nation of team sport lovers. Namely rugby, cricket and soccer.

Rugby was a big deal this year. #RWC2015 took top spot and it is probably due to South Africa’s loss to Japan and when we reached the semi-finals. Heyneke Meyer deserves a mention as well. That dude got so much flak. #SuperRugby also made the top 5 as fans from South Africa and around the world used Twitter to support their favorite teams.

Due to the Cricket World Cup #ProteaFire also trended. As a country with a strong football following, it was no surprise that #MUFC and #AbsaPrem made the top 5 as both of these were used by fans before, during and after matches.

Most of the TV trends in SA were about reality TV. And no, not the Kardashians, but lekker local reality TV.

Reality TV is top in South Africa, with 4 of the top 5 trending TV hashtags relating to reality series and shows. It is quite surprising that Our Perfect Wedding didn’t make the list.