Why Twitter?

Although Facebook has the most number of users in South Africa, like in many other countries – Twitter is the most news-friendly social media platforms. It is by far the place that journalists are most likely to spend their social media energies.

Twitter remains the most influential platform used as a channel for news and prompt information sharing by politicians, government leaders, public representatives, media and communication professionals, journalists and newsrooms.

Twitter's influence has been elevated by its ability to provide a platform for real-time outrage, consumer activism, social mobilization by brands and governments.

With these considerations and observations, the biggest question is: are South African members of the cabinet, their departments and ministers' spokespeople on Twitter?



Categories

Cabinet Member Accounts National Department Twitter Accounts Cabinet Member Spokespeople Accounts


Accounts are sorted from most followed to least followed.

1. Minister of Transport |Mr Fix

@MbalulaFikile

Followers: 2371984

Following: 15341

Joined twitter on: Mon Mar 10 16:20:23 2014

2. Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 #StaySafe

@CyrilRamaphosa

Followers: 1748677

Following: 7

Joined twitter on: Tue Jan 20 12:11:37 2015

3. Tito Mboweni

@tito_mboweni

Followers: 991106

Following: 7363

Joined twitter on: Sun Sep 30 19:54:51 2012

4. Dr Zweli Mkhize

@DrZweliMkhize

Followers: 525913

Following: 38717

Joined twitter on: Wed Mar 22 09:51:28 2017

5. Gwede Mantashe

@GwedeMantashe1

Followers: 439544

Following: 62

Joined twitter on: Thu Jul 11 10:07:07 2013

6. Minister Jackson Mthembu

@JacksonMthembu_

Followers: 423528

Following: 3790

Joined twitter on: Fri Nov 30 11:17:34 2012

7. Dr Dlamini Zuma

@DlaminiZuma

Followers: 367625

Following: 198

Joined twitter on: Thu Dec 25 15:55:21 2014

8. Patricia de Lille

@PatriciaDeLille

Followers: 214113

Following: 1226

Joined twitter on: Tue Feb 22 20:34:41 2011

9. Lindiwe Sisulu

@LindiweSisuluSA

Followers: 192849

Following: 104

Joined twitter on: Sat May 13 15:14:49 2017

10. David D Mabuza

@DDMabuza

Followers: 143409

Following: 113

Joined twitter on: Tue Apr 03 08:25:24 2012

11. Min. Nathi Mthethwa

@NathiMthethwaSA

Followers: 90926

Following: 1812

Joined twitter on: Mon Nov 17 15:03:33 2014

12. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

@Stellarated

Followers: 68687

Following: 827

Joined twitter on: Sun Feb 05 16:32:57 2012

13. Minister of Justice and Correctional Services 🇿🇦

@RonaldLamola

Followers: 52552

Following: 457

Joined twitter on: Sat Oct 20 18:59:59 2018

14. Ayanda Dlodlo

@MinAyandaDlodlo

Followers: 48484

Following: 731

Joined twitter on: Wed May 17 07:17:18 2017

15. Bonginkosi Nzimande

@DrBladeNzimande

Followers: 45634

Following: 406

Joined twitter on: Mon Jan 18 19:54:55 2016

16. Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane

@mmKubayiNgubane

Followers: 28238

Following: 1617

Joined twitter on: Wed Apr 13 22:50:25 2011

17. Minister of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries 🇿🇦

@BarbaraCreecy_

Followers: 16469

Following: 606

Joined twitter on: Mon Feb 23 10:02:32 2015

18. Minister Thulas Nxesi

@NxesiThulas

Followers: 7991

Following: 444

Joined twitter on: Thu Mar 26 15:01:32 2020

19. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

@MizKhu

Followers: 5643

Following: 220

Joined twitter on: Thu Feb 09 19:09:30 2012

20. Maite Nkoana Mashabane

@maite_nkoana

Followers: 3400

Following: 474

Joined twitter on: Wed Jul 31 14:57:26 2019

21. Thoko Didiza

@thoko_didiza

Followers: 2273

Following: 29

Joined twitter on: Mon Jun 20 17:35:03 2016

22. Lindiwe Zulu

@Strashna

Followers: 1511

Following: 65

Joined twitter on: Tue Jul 12 15:43:09 2011

23. Mapisa Nosiviwe Noluthando

@MapisaNosiviwe

Followers: 3

Following: 8

Joined twitter on: Fri Oct 23 12:33:03 2020