
As South Africans take to various social media platforms to share their memories of Nelson Mandela - one year after his death - the rest of the world is not as interested.
Early this morning, #RememberMandela was SA's top - unpromoted - trending hashtag on Twitter, but had yet to make the global list, showing his death a year on is not a vital topic for those outside SA.
Some highlighted his achievements and legacy, but others used the day to punt themselves.
The Department of Communications yesterday issued a communique noting the government and the Nelson Mandela Foundation were calling on all citizens, schools, motorists, and religious organisations to ring bells, hoot and otherwise "call the country to attention at three minutes and seven seconds" to 10am. This was then followed by three minutes of silence, and the singing of the National Anthem at just after 10am.
"We call on those on social media to participate in a campaign using #RememberMandela to share their memories of Nelson Mandela," the department urged. Acting president Cyril Ramaphosa - speaking in Jacob Zuma's stead while he is in China - urged everyone to "keep Nelson Mandela's legacy alive by living his values in every aspect of our own lives".
Online memorial
On Facebook, several people posted pictures of the global political icon, and the official Facebook page posted memories of his 95 years on earth, attracting comments from those who miss his presence, and others who feel his legacy must live on through a better South Africa.
Another page - Remembering Mandela - was set up towards the end of November and advertises "workshops that will explore a dynamic range of issues that marked Madiba's concerns as a leader". Government has also urged people to share pictures on Twitter using the hashtag #RememberMandela, or on Facebook.
The state has created a "Where were you?" social media campaign, inviting South Africans to share where they were and how they felt during key milestones in Madiba's life, including his arrest in 1964, his release from prison in 1990, and his inauguration as the first democratically elected black president of the country in 1994. However, this does not seem to be gaining much traction.
Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, says there will be some online interaction to commemorate the day, but nothing like what happened on Mandela's passing. He notes, a year ago, people went onto social media to express grief, sympathy and share inspirational moments, but this year the two major focuses behind boosting tragic events to trending status - grief and sympathy - are gone.
A year ago, BrandsEye analysed online conversations between 5 December and 16 December, and recorded five million online mentions off five hashtags in less than the first 24 hours of the news of Madiba's death. The following day, this peaked to over 11 million mentions, roughly 95 000 online mentions per minute, it found.
Over the 12-day period, the US contributed to 13% of all online mentions for Mandela, and SA 7.9%, a shift BrandsEye attributed to America having a larger population with higher Internet access. On the day of Mandela's funeral - under the tag #MandelaFuneral - more than 730 000 online mentions were generated.
What Tweeters are saying this morning:
* @beukescha: "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." #RememberMandela
* @SiemensAfrica: #RememberMandela's education legacy: One year later the #MandelaSchool of Science & Technology
* @ecr9495: Join us for a moment's silence at 10am as we #RememberMandela. Then tune in for our special 25-minute music tribute in his memory
* @ChangeAgentSA: #RememberMandela ? In our [hearts] he will forever remain! He taught us great lessons of humanity, peace & reconciliation!
* @MMStadium: We remember a World Icon. Please join us for a moment of silence at 10am. #RememberMandela
* @DA_News: As we prepare to commemorate one year since the passing of Nelson Mandela, we must reflect on the values that guided him. #RememberMandela;
* @JPSAorg: We #RememberMandela every day but especially today. He was (and is) a giant among giants
* @PresidencyZA: Madiba inspired all of us 2 be better human beings. We must continue his legacy and work together 2 move the country forward.#RememberMandela
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