President Cyril Ramaphosa has emerged as the South African government official with the most followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) with 2.95 million followers.
This is according to the Decode Communications South African Government Leaders on X Report which assesses how government leaders use X to engage with citizens.
EFF leader Julius Malema, who is not in government, remains the most followed political leader with over 4 million followers.
In terms of the most followed government leaders, Ramaphosa is followed by the Deputy Minister of Defence Bantu Holomisa with 682,000 followers and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi with 569,000 followers.
The 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 Sindisiwe Chikunga, Barbara Creecy, Mzamo Buthelezi, and Velenkosini Hlabisa.
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.
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.
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