“We’re Doomed”: President Ramaphosa Repeating ‘Clock It’ for University Students Sparks Debate

• President Cyril Ramaphosa used the Gen Z slang term 'clock it' during a formal university address on 14 August 2026
• Ramaphosa told the audience his daughter questioned him about the phrase after he arrived home from the event
• South Africans were divided online, with many calling out the president for charming crowds while unemployment remains high

President Cyril Ramaphosa had South Africa talking after he dropped a Gen Z slang term during a formal university address on 14 August 2026. Speaking at an indoor event before a crowd of students, Ramaphosa used the phrase "clock it" while greeting the audience.

He told the crowd that young South Africans had been teaching him new things as he travelled the country. He said other young people had taught him Instagram, and now someone had taught him to "clock it."

The moment that really landed, though, came when he admitted what happened at home afterwards. He said his daughter showed him a video of the speech and asked what he had been doing. When he told her he had been "clocking," she wanted to know who taught him. He said he could not reveal his source. Watch the video that got South Africa talking:

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Another clip, posted by TikTok account @mthobisi_usmall, quickly stirred debate. Many viewers found Ramaphosa's charm hard to resist, while others felt the lighthearted moment distracted from serious issues like unemployment and gender-based violence. Watch a video compilation of Cyril saying clock it:

SA debate Cyril Ramaphosa's charm

South Africans flooded the comments section with their thoughts:

@Maeza Mothapo wrote:

"He promised us jobs; now he is giving us clock it and people are screaming, we are doomed."

@Boity x said:

"Clocking everything but the GBV and unemployment stats."

@nonyana__ reacted:

"We are easily charmed 😩😂"

@Phoenix 🔥 🇿🇦 added:

"The unemployment rate increased... Clock it clock it."

@TUMI said:

"This man's charisma will be the death of us shem."

@Katlego🎀 asked:

"What are we clocking if we are not working?."

@Thanda wrote:

"This guy will gaslight the youth while they are unemployed, it's a shame."

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@ShaunTDawg countered:

"Best president in the world."

Other Briefly News stories about Cyril Ramaphosa

• President Cyril Ramaphosa's viral moment as he joined young South Africans in the popular 'Clock It' dance during a voter registration drive.
• A North West student met President Cyril Ramaphosa, and she affectionately greeted him as "Mr Cupcake" during a campaign visit.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa had an engaging conversation with a young Cape Town advocate during the annual Mandela Day 5km Walk held on 19 July 2026 in Johannesburg.

Source: Briefly News