Marketia
Africa

Ramaphosa woes pushed into kraal of ridicule on social media

Users share videos, memes to mock ‘Buffalo’ over Phala Phala

01 December 2022 – 16:55

President Cyril Ramaphosa was at the centre of jokes on social media platforms after a panel appointed by parliament made findings against his version. File photo

President Cyril Ramaphosa was at the centre of jokes on social media platforms after a panel appointed by parliament made findings against his version. File photo
Image: GCIS

A picture of a buffalo drowning in a pool of mud, a dance to TKZee’s hit song Ho lla phalafala and a video of a hyena mauling a buffalo.

This is how some South Africans are using social media and analogy to find the funny side of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal misery. Phalafala (Sotho) and phalaphala (Venda) both refer to the sable antelope, a large antelope found in the savanna from east to southern Africa.

The political future of Ramaphosa, also known by the moniker The Buffalo in political circles, hangs in the balance following the release of the independent panel report found that he may have a case to answer on the origins of the foreign currency stolen from his farm in February 2020.

Social media has been flooded with pictures, videos and memes poking fun at the embattled president.

On Twitter, users shared a video of a hyena attacking a buffalo in what can be interpreted as an analogy of how former correctional services commissioner Arthur Fraser set off the Phala Phala scandal when he laid charges against Ramaphosa in Rosebank. 

The clip was captioned꞉ ”Arthur Fraser dealing with the buffalo decisively.’’

On Facebook, a photo-shopped picture of a police officer heavily armed and clad in bullet proof vests pulling Ramaphosa by the trousers has been widely shared as a metaphor of a president in trouble with the law.

On TikTok, a video with photo-shopped images of Ramaphosa sleeping on a mattress with countless US dollar notes hidden underneath the bed, while former president Jacob Zuma sings Yinde lendlela [it’s going to be a long road…] is used to represent Zuma mocking Ramaphosa. 

kokam@sowetan.co.za

Read More

Related posts

IFPI Launches ‘The Official MENA Chart’ Spanning 13 Countries

luz volkman

How I kept myself busy as Kebbi deputy governor – Col Yombe

patricia beshel

Abiodun pledges open door policy, hosts Oluomo, other newly elected Ogun Assembly officers  

espn

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More