South Africans have reacted with amusement to news that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will be South Africa’s Acting President once President Cyril Ramaphosa departs for Japan.
Ramaphosa will travel later on Thursday to support the Springboks, who play England in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday.
Deputy President David “DD” Mabuza is currently in China attending a South Africa-China Bi-National Commission.
Ramaphosa has therefore appointed Motshekga as Acting President from Friday until Sunday.
South Africans on social media react
The news has sparked varying reactions on social media, with some using the opportunity to tell jokes at Motshekga’s expense.
Twitter user @MikeMaimane joked, “OMG! Now she’s gonna request only 30% pass rate for all government departments financial spending.”
“Reduce pass mark to 15% at varsity level and make entry requirements for PhD to be a diploma. We love you madam president,” wrote @Tumi_Hlakudi.
Facebook user Marie Moody was a little more sceptical: “Please press pause Angie. We honestly don’t trust you. You will still get paid. You already destroyed the education system. If you have any urges please call us we will restrain you.”
Motshekga’s “to-do list”
Some commenters came up with hilarious “to-do lists” for Motshekga. @Zamani08394294 joked, “Can we reshuffle while they are away. We start with Pravin. Please let’s be quick. Announcement at 10pm tonight.”
Thabang Mokoena added, “Start a war with Nigeria then increase teachers salaries by 1000%, abolish all e-tolls, arrest Malema and Floyd for VBS shenanigans, cut taxes to 1%, reshuffle Tito and please pass my regards to Bra Tiger!”
Others came up with alternatives to Motshekga, such as Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille, Inkatha Freedom Party’s Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.
Sontshikazi Mthiya said, “Should have appointed Chief Buthelezi instead. The situation with foreign nationals in Cape Town needed him to step in, in his acting capacity for a few days. Lesotho knows him when Mandela made him acting leader.”
“@Julius_S_Malema should have been appointed as acting President so that we can expropriate land without compensation while he is away eating our tax money,” wrote @ronza619.