In the age of social media, past comments and criticisms have a way of resurfacing, often with unexpected timing. This was certainly the case recently, as media personality Bonang Matheba found herself at the center of a “meme storm” on X (formerly Twitter) following the passing of former South African diplomat and cabinet minister, Nathi Mthethwa.
For those who followed South African politics and culture, the connection isn’t entirely new. Bonang Matheba was a notably vocal critic of Mthethwa during his tenure as Minister of Arts and Culture. She frequently took to social media to express her frustration, often pointing out what she perceived as poor service delivery and questionable spending priorities within his department.
The “meme storm” wasn’t a reflection of any direct personal connection between Matheba and Mthethwa, but rather a digital echo of these past criticisms. Social media users resurfaced her previous posts, most notably a blunt tweet from May 2022 where she stated, “You’re useless and we all hate you @NathiMthethwaSA.” This tweet, along with others, was recirculated, sparking conversation and, of course, memes, in the wake of Mthethwa’s death.
