New DA leader Mmusi Maimane loves to stay in touch with the people online – he even had a hangout with The Daily Vox not very long ago. AAISHA DADI PATEL rounds up what went down with #AskMmusi.
When it was announced that the “Obama of Soweto†would be having a Town Hall to answer questions via the hashtag #AskMmusi on Twitter, people already knew that it was going to get crazy.
#AskMmusi is going to be my favourite thing this week. Black Twitter is READY. pic.twitter.com/YmJzVw4OgJ
— Beyoncé Pad Thai* (@PearlPillay) May 13, 2015
#AskMmusi is going to end badly, ANC Twitter aka black twitter doesn’t know chill pic.twitter.com/YYY8IGOApS
— Retired Jesus (@Just_Zulu) May 13, 2015
These things never end well. #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/YEHqkCoY31 — PR DIVA (@NomsaRadebe) May 13, 2015
They weren’t wrong. Twitter town halls have a reputation for backfiring and Maimane’s press office was obviously taking a risk.
Some people even offered their opinions of what Maimane was probably saying to himself just before it all went live.
Mmusi Maimane getting ready for #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/85DrUBjkvJ
— Luke Skywalker (@lukanyo_) May 13, 2015
And then it was show time!
[Twitter Town Hall] It’s time to #AskMmusi your questions! @MmusiMaimane is here and ready to talk! pic.twitter.com/93MRy9RBNm — Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 13, 2015
Soon enough, the hashtag had gone viral with people posing the expected ridiculous questions.
Why do white people hate lotion? #AskMmusi
— Sinesipho Ngcayisa (@Sinesipho_) May 13, 2015
Did Luther finally get to dance with his father again? #askmmusi — Leroy Marc (@_Leroy_Marc) May 13, 2015
How come Dr dre signed a deal with Apple if apples keep doctors away??! #AskMmusi — Sdudla Mafehlefeezy♥ (@lulu_luwela) May 13, 2015
How many puppets are in this picture? #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/dZTXMP2Bu1 — IG: Joey_Drumz (@JoeyDrumzSA) May 13, 2015
how did Helen Zille cook without starting the fire?! She may be an answer to load-shedding #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/AlxO8dZAL6 — garissa (@fistvoices) May 13, 2015
Did Gavin Rajah really come up with those designs? @MmusiMaimane #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/f4NnvRmyCw — Mr Gwej (@ThembaGwejela) May 13, 2015
Truth be told though, people were being quite ridiculous.
There is NO chill with this #AskMmusi hashtag today pic.twitter.com/9Gc4UNXRPD
— Grethe Koen (@the_rantingpony) May 13, 2015
I’m never asking anyone to ask me anything on Twitter. ?????? #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/JqVHSnzGsH — Ta Wang Bang (@Wasanga_Mayhem) May 13, 2015
Maimane himself took it in good humour.
#AskMmusi @MmusiMaimane what did he eat for lunch today.
— X-EDDGE (@XEDDGE) May 13, 2015
I’m here engaging with the South Africans I account to. I haven’t had lunch. #AskMmusi http://t.co/12VMDU3hKc — Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 13, 2015
@MmusiMaimane #AskMmusi why did the chicken cross the road? — R Khan (@ImRohanKhan) May 13, 2015
Because it has freedom of movement. #AskMmusi http://t.co/ohX5iT3Q5F
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 13, 2015
Hahaha » @LoyisoSidimba: What was Zille saying to you here? #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/vo5HRYqZaO — Yu N. Mii (@CallMeGuruXXX) May 13, 2015
She was speaking to the Press, saying that we would not be doing any interviews on the red carpet. #AskMmusi http://t.co/uZQTvhcalM — Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 13, 2015
@MmusiMaimane when Beyonce says “I know she was attractive but I was here first”, who she talking about? #AskMmusi — Tshepo Bailey (@TshepoL_) May 13, 2015
You’ll need to ask her. Cc. @Beyonce #AskMmusi http://t.co/t1CCI8XQeq — Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 13, 2015
#AskMmusi, Generations Legacy or Classic?
— Gambino of Gardens (@ThatColinWardle) May 13, 2015
I prefer Isidingo http://t.co/krhTt2QkuB — Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 13, 2015
He even hinted at something he has in common with Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.
:p RT @YoliYoli_: Weeeh you look like a slow typer. This will never work. RT @Mabine_Seabe: #AskMmusi Touch, lets go! pic.twitter.com/ZmYkrFV4dy
— Ms SK (@MsShaneSK) May 13, 2015
I did woodwork instead of typing in High School. Eish Ho tla loka http://t.co/Vn5dQzfdTP — Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 13, 2015
And while the question time on Twitter wasn’t all used constructively, some people were certain there would be at least one benefit from the Town Hall.
The best part about this is the DA’s Communications team is going to do analytics and count all your trolling tweets as engagement. — Yoli (@YoliYoli_) May 13, 2015
But for now…
Thank you ladies and gentlemen! I am looking forward to engaging with you further in the future. #AskMmusi pic.twitter.com/hGIzqRrNaq — Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) May 13, 2015
That’s all folks!
