South Africa is by far the most unserious country there ever was; our people have this unique talent to turn even the life and death situations into something to laugh about. It has been proven that this is how we deal with heavy issues as a country, for our mental health’s sake.
Amid escalating tensions involving South Africa, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a unique form of resistance has emerged—not on the battlefield, but on TikTok. The conflict between South African and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo has escalated into a war of words between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
According to the news publication, Daily Maverick, President Paul accused Cyril of lying and distortion, he denied that Ramaphosa had warned him that South Africa would attack Rwanda if it attacked South African troops in the DRC.
What got internet users all fueled up was a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Rwandan President, which said, “If South Africa wants to contribute to peaceful solutions, that is well and good, but South Africa is in no position to take on the role of a peacemaker or mediator. And if South Africa prefers confrontation, Rwanda will deal with the matter in that context any day.”
I held two conversations this week with President Ramaphosa on the situation in Eastern DRC, including earlier today. What has been said about these conversations in the media by South African officials and President Ramaphosa himself contains a lot of distortion, deliberate… https://t.co/i78aqtVjpr
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) January 29, 2025
This statement by Paul came across as a declaration of war and TikTokers took to the platform to showcase funny hypothetical scenarios of how South Africa would handle this battle.
@i.amndile Vela sikhulume !!! . . #ndile_comedy #zulu #fyp ♬ original sound – Nompilo gasela
Thandile Maga made a video showcasing how Zulu people would approach the president of Rwanda.
@simo_ziqubu “Come fight the war with me” 😭😭 #tiktoksa #war #rwanda ♬ MMS – Asake & Wizkid
Simo Ziqubu showed how the young generation would prepare for war with a little “get ready with me” first if they were to be sent as troops.
@thothy_thokozani Hlanganani Zulu. #DRC #Mzansi #Soldiers #War #Conflict #Rwanda #Zulu #Amabutho #Relatable #CurrentAffairs #WarZone #Funny #Comedy ♬ original sound – Thothy Thokozani
Thothy Thokozani makes a video gathering his Zulu brothers to go to DRC after what the Rwandan president said.
Also see: WATCH: TikTok creators with the most aesthetically calm content
