Most-followed South African politicians on X revealed
Economic Freedom Fighters' leader Julius Malema is South Africa's most popular politician with over four million followers on social media site X (formerly known as Twitter), while the sitting President Cyril Ramaphosa has been revealed as the most followed government official with 2.95 million followers.
A new report by the Decode Communications South African Government Leaders on X Report has assessed how government leaders use X to engage with citizens.
Alongside this report, an IOL team has also tracked the influence and the following of political leaders who sit outside government, including the likes of Malema, former Western Cape premier Helen Zille, former president Jacob Zuma and MK Party secretary Floyd Shivambu.
In terms of the most followed government leaders, Ramaphosa is first, followed by the Deputy Minister of Defence and UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa with 683,000 followers and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi with 569,000 followers.
While the report has named Ramaphosa, Holomisa and Panyaza Lesufi as the government leaders with the most followers, IOL has compiled a list of South Africa's Cabinet members with the most followers as well as a list of the political party leaders that have the most followers.
READ MORE:
How 2024 changed South Africa forever
South Africa has a huge Cabinet, with 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers, from multiple parties who formed the Government of National Unity. The GNU consists of politicians in the executive and in Parliament from the ANC, Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), UDM, Build One South Africa (Bosa), Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi, Pan African Congress of Azania (PAC), Good, National Freedom Party.
Here is the list of the government officials with the most followers on X:
President Cyril Ramaphosa -
2.95 million followers
Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Bantu Holomisa -
683,000 followers
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi -
569,000 followers
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe -
545,000 followers
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton Mckenzie -
392,000 followers
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen-
245,000 followers
Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille -
223,000 followers
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola -
177,000 followers
Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa-
158,000 followers
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Buti Manamela -
156,000 followers
In terms of the top 10 politicians overall, the top five were mainly made up of politicians who are considered younger, in the likes of Malema, Fikile Mbalula, Mmusi Maimane and the underfire former EFF MP, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, and Floyd Shivambu, who was the most searched person on Google South Africa last year after he made the dramatic switch from EFF to MK Party.
The rest of the top 10 were made up by older politicians in the ilk of Helen Zille, advocate Dali Mpofu, Herman Mashaba and Bantu Holomisa.
Here is the list of leading political party members with the most followers on X:
READ MORE:
The Western media is dying. What will take its place?
EFF leader Julius Malema -
4.2 million followers
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula -
3.1 million followers
President Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC -
2.95
million followers
Leader of Build One South Africa Mmusi Maimane -
2.1 million followers
Former EFF MP and spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi -
1.9 million followers
Secretary General of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party) Floyd Shivambu -
1.59 million followers
DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille -
1.53 million followers
MK Party member Dali Mpofu -
1.1 million followers
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba -
765,000 followers
President of the United Democratic Movement Bantu Holomisa -
683,000 followers
The Decode Communications South African Government Leaders on X Report found that Ramaphosa, Lesufi, and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie topped the list for engagement, while McKenzie, Lesufi, and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube have been recognised for their proactive and interactive communication styles.
Just 10 of the 34 ministers on X have verified accounts which raises concerns about credibility in an era of rampant misinformation, and four ministers have inactive accounts, including Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi, and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
The government leaders report found that crises and controversies drive engagement more than policy announcements or service delivery updates, which highlights that the approach to communication is reactive rather than proactive.
A couple of new appointed ministers experienced significant follower growth which demonstrates the public's appetite for fresh voices, including:
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber (200.46% growth)
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube (108.11% growth)
Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie (39.99% growth)
What South African citizens expect
Social media users in SA are looking to government leaders for accountability, honest answers, service delivery updates, genuine connections, and a humane approach to leadership.
READ MORE:
From Leopold to lithium: How corporations perfected the art of plundering Africa
On X, users expect leaders to be present, engaging, and proactive in addressing concerns within their portfolios.
While more cabinet ministers are now on the platform, the level of engagement and its impact remains disappointing, according to the report.
Lorato Tshenkeng, CEO, Decode Communications said:
'We need leaders that are present. X can't just be used to push announcements and create an illusion of activity.'
'There are burning issues in our country, and we call on our leaders to embrace transparency, empathy, and the courage to have difficult but necessary conversations with the people they serve.'
The report serves as a clear call for government leaders to embrace
X
as a strategic tool for nation-building.
Tshenkeng said that beyond any political affiliation, government leaders need to think more about fostering transparency, building trust, and driving meaningful public discourse.
'South Africa deserves leadership that speaks not only to its challenges but to its hope and resilience. It's time to lead the conversation and the nation forward,' Tshenkeng said.
First published by
IOL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
7 days ago
- Russia Today
Putin comments on Russia–South Africa relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin has highlighted Moscow's deepening relationship with Pretoria during talks with South African Vice President Paul Mashatile, describing it as a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' built on equality and mutual respect. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Thursday. 'Relations between Russia and South Africa are developing successfully. We are in regular contact with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. Last year, we held detailed discussions with him in Kazan during the BRICS Summit, outlining steps for further cooperation,' Putin said. Pretoria and Moscow have maintained diplomatic relations since 1992, with longstanding cooperation in several areas including trade and education. During an earlier meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow on Wednesday, the South African Vice President expressed Pretoria's ambition to see trade with Moscow double. He also invited Russian companies to invest in South Africa, describing it as 'the gateway to the continent of Africa,' offering access to a market of over one billion people. Mashatile told President Putin on Thursday that he had been tasked by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to transform the 'strong foundation' of strategic relations into expanded trade and economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two BRICS nations. 'South Africa continues to call on the support of Russia's influence within the Eurasian Economic Union to reconsider South Africa from an undeveloped to a developing country. This had a significant impact on South African products and trade to the Eurasian market,' he stated. Putin pledged to expand and diversify mutual trade and investment with South Africa, noting that bilateral trade grew by approximately 2% in 2024. 'Overall, strengthening ties with African nations remains one of our key priorities,' the President reiterated. The Russian president underscored education as a priority sector in engagement with African nations, citing Moscow's longstanding commitment to academic exchange. He noted that more than 40 Russian universities have established partnerships with South African institutions, and that around 570 South African students are currently studying at Russian universities.
Russia Today
09-06-2025
- Russia Today
South African leader defends black economic empowerment policy
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a forceful defence of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) on Friday night, calling out its critics and questioning whether their opposition stems from fear or envy. Speaking at the Black Business Council's annual summit gala dinner at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa doubled down on the government's unwavering support for transformation policies aimed at redressing South Africa's deep-rooted inequalities. He reaffirmed plans to convene a national dialogue focused on tackling the country's most urgent socio-economic challenges — a process he said will be vital in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future. Ramaphosa argued that real economic growth will only be possible through meaningful transformation while highlighting the significance of the proposed Government of National Unity (GNU). 'Fundamental economic transformation is vital to the growth of our economy and the progress of our nation. This transformation is necessary if we are to unlock the capabilities of all our people and realise the full potential of our economy,' he said. He positioned the GNU as a platform for uniting stakeholders behind bold reforms that can drive change. 'Transformation is not a hindrance to growth — it is the engine of growth,' Ramaphosa said, underscoring the role of legislative tools such as the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) framework and the Employment Equity Act in building a more equitable economy. 'We must dispense with the false choice that we are urged to make between growth and transformation. Transformation is vital if growth is to be meaningful, inclusive and sustainable. 'Growth is essential if we are to effectively transform our economy. Our task is to ensure that we pursue both growth and transformation, in concert, with more vigour and to greater effect,' he said. While acknowledging progress, the president was candid about the stark racial disparities that persist. He noted that the average income of white households remains nearly five times higher than that of black African households — a gap that, in his view, underscores the continued need for aggressive policy intervention. 'We need to challenge the notion that black economic empowerment is a cost to the economy. We need to demonstrate that it is an investment in the economy. 'Now is not the time to abandon the measures we have put in place to drive is the time to move forward with greater purpose and ambition. 'We must use the lessons we have learned over the last 30 years to make our empowerment policies and programmes more meaningful and more impactful. 'They must be ever more effective drivers of inclusive growth and employment,' Ramaphosa published by IOL
Russia Today
07-06-2025
- Russia Today
South Africa urges global unity on debt sustainability
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged increased urgency, ambition, and alignment in addressing the global debt crisis that confronts low-income and developing countries, emphasising that the world is racing against time with just five years remaining to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Speaking ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), Ramaphosa emphasised the need for unified global action to achieve sustainable development and support vulnerable economies. 'We must achieve these goals not merely because we have committed them to paper, but because the health, welfare, and happiness of billions of people depend on the progress we make.' He described the conference as a decisive moment for the global community, especially in the wake of the United Nations 2024 Report on the SDGs, which he said 'captures the gravity of the crisis.' Referring directly to the report, Ramaphosa stressed that it makes clear. 'We must think and act differently. We must move faster and with far greater ambition. Importantly, we must align our efforts across all available fora and platforms.' Under South Africa's G20 Presidency, Ramaphosa reaffirmed the country's commitment to prioritising solidarity, equality, and sustainability. He stressed that global challenges can only be solved through cooperation, collaboration, and partnership. A central focus of South Africa's G20 agenda is debt sustainability. Ramaphosa pointed out that many developing nations are trapped by high debt servicing costs, limiting their ability to invest in essential services. 'We know, for example, that 23 countries in Africa are paying more for debt costs than critical development enablers like health and education. South Africa seeks to advance sustainable solutions to tackle high structural deficits and liquidity challenges and extend debt relief to developing economies,' he said. To address these issues, South Africa will convene a side event at FfD4 under the theme: Forging a Common Agenda to Achieve Debt Sustainability in Developing Economies. The conference, which will take place from June 30 to July 3, 2025, in Spain, aims to bring together stakeholders from across debt-related initiatives to identify 'synergies and areas of convergence' and build consensus on sustainable solutions. Ramaphosa stressed the importance of the FfD4 conference, calling it: 'A crucial opportunity to reshape global financing systems in support of the SDGs.' He urged bold and inclusive action: 'We must therefore emerge from the conference with bold decisions and ambitious action plans that should really leave no country behind, no community or no person behind. 'If we can have such a great ambition, I am sure the world will be a much better place.'First published by IOL
