Viral TikTok star Skomota, also known as Ngwana Sesi, recently found himself at the centre of a political storm when he was spotted campaigning for the African National Congress (ANC).
Wearing an ANC jersey and surrounded by other comrades, a picture of him quickly went viral, leaving many people questioning the motives behind this unexpected partnership.
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The ANC, known as the ruling party in South Africa, has been struggling to connect with the younger generation.
With Skomota’s massive social media following and his status as an internet dancing sensation, it’s no wonder that the party saw an opportunity to tap into his popularity.
However, the move backfired as social media users expressed their outrage and scepticism. Many accused the ANC of using Skomota as a mere pawn to gain votes and appeal to young voters. The blatant display of voter-swaying tactics did not sit well with the public.
One Twitter user, @BlessingsRamoba, summed up the sentiment by stating, “Desperate ANC.” Others echoed this sentiment, questioning the party’s true intentions and whether they would discard Skomota once the elections were over.
they are misusing skomota hle let me him go home pic.twitter.com/u9DClRalls
— Rodney (@Ron_YNWA) February 1, 2024
It’s worth noting that Skomota is known for his high booking fees, which reportedly amount to R90K. This led to speculation about how much the ANC paid him for his involvement in their campaign.
Some critics argued that this move was simply a way for Skomota to make millions from ANC bookings, drawing comparisons to Mampeezy, a popular Botswana musician who has been associated with political campaigns.
While the ANC may have hoped that Skomota’s endorsement would bring in votes, many social media users expressed scepticism about his influence. User @ShiMutale98 sarcastically questioned, “The ANC genuinely believes Skomota can bring in votes? From who? African ruling party’s?”
Others saw the ANC’s use of Skomota as a cry for help, an indication of their desperation in trying to regain popularity. User @SpheleleMsibi2 commented, “Now, this is what I call abuse. Almost everything they do these days is a cry for help.”
The backlash against the ANC was evident, with users like @phazamisa_22 and @BonPhila expressing their disappointment and labelling the party as “finished.” User @BonginkosiThabs summed up the sentiment, saying, “And at this rate, you must know that ANC is finished.”
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While the ANC’s attempt to align itself with popular figures is not uncommon in politics, the backlash from this particular campaign shows the importance of authenticity and genuine connection with the voters. Skomota’s involvement may have seemed like a strategic move, but it ultimately backfired, leaving the ANC facing criticism and doubt.
Only time will tell if this controversy will have any lasting impact on the ANC’s reputation or if it will be forgotten as just another political stunt. What remains clear is that in the age of social media, political parties must tread carefully when trying to win over the hearts and minds of the younger generation.
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