It probably comes as no surprise that load-shedding would be top of Google’s trending searches in South Africa in 2019, but it is also the most searched for topic of the decade, according to Google’s “Year in Search” results.
This past week has seen Eskom continue to roll-out blackouts, briefly introducing stage six load-shedding for the first time in the country. This year also marks 12 years since the embattled power utility introduced load-shedding, making power cuts part of daily lives for South Africans.
This morning, Eskom said it is implementing Stage 2 rotational load-shedding until 11pm tonight as a result of a shortage of capacity.
Each year, Google looks back at the year and collates what topics each region was most interested in, giving interesting insights into what was top of mind for people during the year.
Last night was no different, with the Internet search giant announcing its 2019 “Year in Search” results at an event in Johannesburg.
Aside from load-shedding, this year’s searches show local users were interested current affairs, sport, elections and various celebrities.
Google SA communications and public affairs head, Mich Atagana, said this year’s trending searches show South Africans are interested in the world and the people around them. “We saw ‘World Cup’ on the list, we saw a lot of popular culture content and, obviously, politics – South Africans love politics.
“This year, we saw a bit of a change, where about nine out of the 10 trending searches were for local people, news and events, and not international content. Previously, we’ve seen a lot of international content,” she continued.
Top trending South African searches 2019:
1.Load-shedding
2.Election results
3.Thanos
4.IEC
5.Fiona Viotti
6.Black Friday specials
7.Gavin Watson
8.Mark Batchelor
9.Teacher’s Day
10.Hoërskool Driehoek
Atagana said South Africans are still asking interesting questions. The main questions were:
1.Why were cornflakes invented?
2.What time is the Rugby World Cup final?
3.How many votes for a seat in Parliament
4.How did Cameron Boyce die?
5.How long is a rugby match?
6.What is Bosasa?
7.What time do voting stations open?
8.Who won the election in South Africa?
9.What is media?
10.What is teenage pregnancy?
Top trending searches for the decade:
1.Load-shedding
2.Uzalo
3.Meghan Markle
4.Zodwa Wabantu
5.Baby Shark
6.Cardi B
7.Game of Thrones
8.Thanos
9.Nicki Minaj
10.Amapiano
Trending South African personalities:
1.Neyi Zimu
2.James Small
3.Xolani Gwala
4.Chester Williams
5.Andile Gumbi
6.Siya Kolisi
7.David Kekana
8.Faf De Klerk
9.Peggy Sue Khumalo
10.Robert Marawa
Top searched for movies:
1.Avengers Endgame
2.Captain Marvel
3.When They See Us
4.Aquaman
5.Lion King
6.John Wick 3
7.Joker
8.Hustlers
9.Birdbox
10.A Star is Born
Trending music personalities:
1.Johnny Clegg
2.Thami Sobede
3.Nipsey Hussle
4.Mampintsha
5.Oliver Mtukudzi
6.Nichume
7.Ndlovu Youth Choir
8.Babes Wodumo
9.Pitch Black Afro
10.Kabza de Small
Top trending ‘Near Me’ searches:
1.Job openings near me
2.Parks near me
3.Restaurants near me
4.McDonalds near me
5.Hotels near me
6.Hair salon near me
7.Voting station near me
8.Petrol station near me
9.Makro near me
10.Woolworths near me
Top trending political figures and parties:
1.Boris Johnson
2.Constantino Chiwenga
3.Baleka Mbete
4.Robert Mugabe
5.Economic Freedom Fighters
6.African National Congress
7.Nelson Chamisa
8.Cyril Ramaphosa
9.Democratic Alliance
10.Elijah Cummings
Top trending sports searches:
1. Rugby World Cup
2. Cricket World Cup
3. India vs South Africa
4. Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates
5. AFCON
6. Bafana Bafana
7. Cricket live scores
8. Proteas
9. PSL standings
10. Stellenbosch vs Kaizer Chiefs
Share