Twitter/X Trends in South Africa - Real-Time Analytics & Trending Hashtags

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On February 16, 2026, Rabi Muhammad from Kano was arrested while trying to smuggle the opioids to Cotonou, Benin Republic, using the creative fake bump tactic. Videos show officers in pink uniforms carefully removing the device in a search room, as she stood dressed in traditional attire. The bust was part of a busy week for NDLEA, including an Ivorian man excreting cocaine at Kano airport, a real estate CEO with 89 kilograms of cannabis in Lagos, and raids across several states that nabbed hundreds more kilograms of drugs— even a 68-year-old grandmother in Edo. Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa praised the team's vigilance against these evolving smuggling plots.

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NDLEA officers at Lagos' Seme border spotted a suspicious protruding belly on a 35-year-old businesswoman heading to Benin. A search revealed 3,200 tramadol capsules hidden inside a strapped-on pink calabash disguised as a pregnancy.

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After Israel recognized Somaliland's independence in December 2025, the self-declared republic invited Greece to establish a presence at Berbera, near a strait handling 12 percent of world trade disrupted by Houthi attacks since late 2023. The port, partly run by Dubai's DP World, has grown with rising container volumes, and analysts see potential for Greece's massive merchant fleet to help secure shipping lanes against threats from Houthis and others. While Turkey and Somalia oppose the moves, Greek commentators welcome practical ties in ports and security, though Athens has not yet responded officially.

Key Takeaway

Somaliland's leaders reached out to Greece, calling it a 'maritime titan' to partner at the strategic Berbera port right by the busy Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

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Brazil will face Egypt in a pre-2026 FIFA World Cup friendly match at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The game is part of the Road to '26 series.

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On February 14, 2017, Australian-born Felix, then Lee Yong-bok, arrived in Seoul to train with JYP Entertainment despite not speaking Korean fluently. He debuted with Stray Kids in 2018, shining as lead dancer and sub-rapper with his deep voice and freckles. Fans marked the milestone with #9yearswithFelix posts, sharing his goodbye note to his mom—promising to cherish home memories—and clips of his rise from shy trainee to global icon, Louis Vuitton ambassador, and charity advocate. His journey from homesick teen to 'sunshine' idol inspires thousands who celebrate his talent and kindness.

Key Takeaway

Nine years ago, 16-year-old Felix left Sydney alone for Seoul, armed with a dream and a heartfelt letter to his mom. Today, fans are flooding posts with love for the Stray Kids star who's made that dream real.

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The Commission accuses PG Glass and Glasfit of a longstanding agreement to align annual increases on laminated and toughened automotive glass supplied to end-users and insurers, violating the Competition Act. Commissioner Doris Tshepe stressed the case's priority in the automotive sector, saying dismantling the cartel would bring fairer pricing for consumers and insurance companies. If found guilty, the firms could face fines up to 10% of annual turnover; drivers highlighted costs like R18,000 to R25,000 for windscreens and frustration over limited cheaper options.

Key Takeaway

South African drivers have long grumbled about sky-high windscreen repair bills—now the Competition Commission is taking two dominant firms to task for allegedly coordinating price hikes since 2004.

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Gazetted on February 16, 2026, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill extends parliamentary and presidential terms from five to seven years, delaying the next election to 2030 and shifting the presidential pick to parliamentarians needing a majority vote. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi calls it constructive reforms for stability, while supporters like MP Temba Mliswa point to ZANU-PF's parliamentary strength; critics argue it breaches term-limit rules under section 328 and past court views, with figures like Nelson Chamisa labeling it an assault on the people's will. A 90-day public consultation now runs until mid-May, amid planned protests, petitions for a referendum, and potential court fights.

Key Takeaway

Zimbabwe's government just published a bill to stretch President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030, replacing direct elections with a parliamentary vote—a move that's ignited fierce backlash from critics.

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In a video shared by WeRateDogs, Flambo pads to his FluentPet soundboard, hits 'cat' while eyeing pint-sized Yorkshire Terrier Rupert, who recently joined his Houston foster home after street life. His human corrects him, but Flambo fires back with 'what?' and a decisive 'quiet,' earning both dogs a 13/10 rating. The clip drew thousands of likes and replies, with fans laughing over Flambo's conviction and Rupert's oblivious side-eye in their sibling showdown.

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Flambo the Australian Shepherd stares at tiny foster pup Rupert, then firmly presses his 'cat' button—like he's dead serious about the mix-up.

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The 28-year-old Welsh winger's Fulham contract expires in June, drawing interest from Villa and Everton. Emery likes his right-wing play and set-piece threat, passing on a January move to focus on a striker instead. Villa fans buzz with excitement over his 'bangers' for squad depth, though some call him a safe rotation pick. Fulham supporters debate a pay rise, amid a busy summer of Bosman deals.

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Harry Wilson has lit up the Premier League with eight stunning goals from just four expected, including late winners against Chelsea and Brighton. Now, Aston Villa's Unai Emery sees him as a perfect free-agent fit.

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Dave Moody and Nate Ryan received the 2026 American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence as co-recipients during a ceremony at Daytona International Speedway. Moody, who has called races since 1978 and leads MRN's NASCAR coverage, was praised for his signature 'trouble!' calls from the turns. Ryan, a veteran journalist from outlets like USA Today and co-host of 'Hauler Talk,' earned acclaim for his lyrical writing. Separately, Mike Joy picked up the 2025 NMPA Myers Brothers Award, capping his 57-year career leading NASCAR broadcasts.

Key Takeaway

Dave Moody beamed with his plaque amid cheers from peers at Daytona's media center, a heartfelt moment for the veteran announcer known as 'The Godfather.'

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Gabon's communication authority indefinitely suspended major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp on Tuesday, amid teacher strikes and protests over living costs following a 2023 coup. In contrast, Kenya's National Assembly rejected a petition to ban TikTok, opting instead for stricter age checks, privacy safeguards, and data localization within four months to shield minors from explicit content and bullying. Lawmakers like Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah stressed that platforms empower youth and create jobs, favoring regulation over suppression as African nations balance digital growth with social protection.

Key Takeaway

While Gabon pulls the plug on Facebook, TikTok, and others to curb misinformation and unrest, Kenya's lawmakers draw a firm line: no bans, just smarter rules to protect kids and data.

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Manchester United fans are debating starting Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo in the front three over Amad Diallo following a draw against West Ham. Critics highlight Diallo's lack of efficiency in scoring and creating chances, including a late-game pass to Sesko instead of shooting, while supporters note his 2 goals and 2 assists in 15 Premier League games under manager Ruben Amorim. The discussion references Mbeumo's recent assist and Sesko and Mbeumo's four goal contributions each in their last five appearances.

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Ivory Coast, producing 40% of the world's cocoa, set its 2025/26 farmgate price at 2,800 CFA francs per kilogram in October, but global futures have crashed to around $3,500 per ton. Exporters offer just 1,500-1,800 CFA francs—deals banned by regulators—leaving cooperatives like Sekou Dagnogo's owing farmers money in places like Duekoue. Farmer Frederic Kouassi Kouassi in Remikro says some take low offers out of desperation, while the Coffee and Cocoa Council buys back stocks to prevent waste; neighboring Ghana cut prices 28% to align with markets and boost sales.

Key Takeaway

In Ivory Coast, warehouses are stacked to the ceiling with cocoa beans that risk spoiling, as exporters balk at the government's fixed price for farmers.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency confirmed its intent to back the project, which targets rare earth elements vital for magnets, defense, and clean energy. CEO Cedric Simonet called it powerful validation of the site's strategic value, backed by a 2023 study projecting strong returns from a 13.6 million tonne resource. Shares jumped from 1.3 pence to over 2.15 pence, lifting the market cap past £6 million, as investors noted the low valuation and upside from fluorspar and gallium.

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Altona Rare Earths' stock more than doubled Monday after a key U.S. agency signaled support for its Monte Muambe project in Mozambique.

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At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Swiss figure skater Livia Kaiser performed her signature free skate program in Milan, blending 'Lucy Gray (Part 1)' from The Hunger Games prequel with poetry and instrumental tracks. Dressed in flowing silver-gray that echoed the character's folk vibes, she earned 171.52 total points for 23rd place after a strong short program featuring a triple Lutz-triple toe. Fans celebrated the crossover, with clips of her spins and spirals drawing Hunger Games enthusiasts who cheered the program's return from the 2025/26 season.

Key Takeaway

Picture the Olympic ice transforming into a misty Appalachian ballad as 21-year-old Livia Kaiser glides to Rachel Zegler's haunting 'Lucy Gray' voice.

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The feud kicked off when Yaya, mother to one of NBA YoungBoy's 11 kids, shaded Jazlyn's anniversary ring upgrade on Instagram. Mellow Rackz, tied to YoungBoy's circle, defended Jazlyn, prompting Yaya to hit back by calling her homeless and an industry pass-around. Mellow fired back about her own jewelry buys and not having the guy anymore, while online crowds mostly labeled Yaya a bitter ex who can't move on, though a few defended her.

Key Takeaway

Jazlyn Mychelle flashed a huge diamond ring from NBA YoungBoy, and Yaya Mayweather quickly called it lab-grown—igniting a fiery exchange with rapper Mellow Rackz.

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The announcement came via a February 18, 2026, press release under Zambia's Constitution Article 116(3)(a), which allows the president to appoint and remove ministers. Muchima, a doctor and MP for Ikeleng'i, faced criticism over health issues like delayed hospital projects and withheld donor funds amid graft concerns. Mubanga, also an MP, drew complaints for slow progress on SME growth and jobs in Zambia's economy. No reasons were stated beyond the constitutional power, and successors are expected soon amid Hichilema's ongoing cabinet adjustments since 2021.

Key Takeaway

In a swift move from State House, President Hakainde Hichilema thanked Health Minister Elijah Muchima and SME Minister Elias Mubanga for their service before relieving them of their duties.

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The 23-year-old Indonesian wildcard from Jakarta, ranked No. 46, beat No. 27 Leylah Fernandez 7-6(5), 6-4 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. It was Tjen's second straight win at a WTA 1000 event, following her cruise past Dayana Yastremska, and improved her record to 2-0 against Fernandez. Her explosive forehand and serve powered the victory, delighting Indonesian fans and boosting her toward a potential career-high ranking near No. 34. Next, she faces the winner of Amanda Anisimova vs. Barbora Krejcikova in the Round of 16.

Key Takeaway

Janice Tjen fired a clutch ace to snag the first-set tiebreak, then broke serve decisively to stun the 2021 US Open finalist in straight sets.

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South Africans tuned into Moja Love at 21:00 for the ninth season of Uyajola99, where host Jub Jub exposed cheating partners in stories like Siphosethu's doubts since 2019 and Mpho's test of childhood sweethearts. Clips spread fast showing market chases, physical grabs, side chicks fleeing, and Xhosa women's sharp, vulgar insults that had viewers laughing and praising their flair. While Jub Jub stayed cool amid one cheater's attempted kick, some lamented women fighting over unapologetic men on national TV in 2026.

Key Takeaway

A man bolts in a blue tracksuit while women grab his belt to stop him—classic Uyajola99 chaos unfolded in tonight's Xhosa-packed episode.

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The knockout stage draw, held Tuesday in Cairo, paired South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns against Mali's Stade Malien, with Sundowns hosting the first leg on March 13-14 before heading to Bamako for the return on March 20-21. Supporters celebrated the 'easy' draw after topping their group and beating MC Alger in playoffs, eyeing a potential semi-final against ES Tunis or 12-time winners Al Ahly. Pundits like Thomas Mlambo urged fans to dream big, as Sundowns chase their first Champions League title after a 2019 semi-final run.

Key Takeaway

Mamelodi Sundowns fans lit up with excitement after landing Stade Malien in the quarter-finals—a matchup that opens a promising path forward.

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South Africans tuned into Moja Love at 21:00 for the ninth season of Uyajola99, where host Jub Jub exposed cheating partners in stories like Siphosethu's doubts since 2019 and Mpho's test of childhood sweethearts. Clips spread fast showing market chases, physical grabs, side chicks fleeing, and Xhosa women's sharp, vulgar insults that had viewers laughing and praising their flair. While Jub Jub stayed cool amid one cheater's attempted kick, some lamented women fighting over unapologetic men on national TV in 2026.

Key Takeaway

A man bolts in a blue tracksuit while women grab his belt to stop him—classic Uyajola99 chaos unfolded in tonight's Xhosa-packed episode.

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