This document takes a look at seven topics that trended and generated conversations on Twitter during the month of May 2019. From politics to sports to entertainment - I took a look at what South African tweeps have been saying and contributing their thoughts on the platform.

1. Twitter Trends
South Africa
May 2019
Compiled by: Ashley Mokwena

2. Table of Content
No. Trend Page No.
0 Introduction I
1 #SAElections2019 1-2
2 #SAMA25 3-4
3 #HailTheChief 5-6
4 #Experience50Years 7-8
5 #PSLAwards19 9-10
6 Methodology 11

3. Introduction
This document takes a look at seven topics that trended and generated conversations on
Twitter during the month of May 2019.
From politics to sports to entertainment - I checked out what South African tweeps have
been saying and contributing their thoughts on the platform.
In this document you will find the following topics:
 #SAElections2019
 #SAMA25
 #HailTheChief
 #Experience50Years
 #PSLAwards19
I

4. #SAElections2019

5. #SAElections2019
1
The 6th South African General Elections were held on the 8th of May 2019. The recent elections, which
were organised by the Independent Electoral Commission, were hotly contested by the big 3 parties -
the ANC, the DA and the EFF. These elections saw the EFF and the Freedom Front Plus improve on
votes gained from the previous elections. The ANC won the national election and the DA emerged as
the official opposition although both parties dropped on voter numbers. Tweeps weighed in with their
opinions about party performances and they also shared their overall impressions on elections.

6. The conversation
2

7. #SAMA25

8. #SAMA25
3
Much of the conversation around South Africa’s premier music awards happened pre-event day.
Celebrating 25 years, the SAMAs dominated the South African Twitter sphere with all the glitz and the
glam and the on stage performance and not forgetting the commentary around the big winners of the
night.

9. The conversation
4

10. #HailTheChief

11. #HailTheChief
5
One of South Africa’s favourite football teams, Kaizer Chiefs, formed part of the conversation under
the hashtag #HailTheChief after losing out on a top 8 log finish and also losing in the NedBank Cup
Final to National Football Division side, TS Galaxy. Chiefs ended yet another season without a trophy,
leaving many of the fans angry and demanding change at the upper echelons of the club and player
personnel.

12. The conversation
6

13. #Experience50Years

14. #Experience50Years
7
Tsogo Sun celebrated it’s 50th birthday! To celebrate they were giving away amazing prizes partnering with
popular radio stations, 947, East Coast Radio and Radio 702 to name a few. The radio interactions also took
place within the Twitter sphere. With tweeps tweeting that they were taking part in the radio competition
to stand a chance to win a getaway to one Tsogo Sun’s hotels.

15. The conversation
8

16. #PSLAwards19

17. #PSLAwards19
9
The annual PSL post season football awards brought the curtain down on a thrilling local season
which saw Orlando Pirates’ Thembinkosi Lorch scooping the Footballer of the Year and the Players’
Player of the Season awards, while Pitso Mosimane, coach of Mamelodi Sundown took the Coach of
the Year award. As usual twitter was abuzz with tweets coming in from South African football loving
fans sharing their thoughts on the glitz and glam and their overall opinion on the winners.

18. The conversation
10

19. Methodology

20. Research Methodology
•Listening and monitoring period:
•01 – 31 May 2019
•Tracking and monitoring sources:
•Twitter
•Tweetreach
•Trends Map South Africa
•Trends24
11

21. Thank You!