"Ramaphosa Is a Role Model": Mnangagwa’s Viral ‘Clock It’ Moment Gets Mzansi Talking

• A video of President Mnangagwa being taught South Africa's viral 'clock it' sign sparked a wave of reactions online
• The clip drew comparisons to President Ramaphosa, who went viral after using the Gen Z phrase at a UKZN address in August 2026
• South Africans flooded the comments with pride, humour and a few sharp words about the trend crossing borders

ZIMBABWE - A video of Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa being shown how to do the "clock it" hand sign by a woman has set social media alight, with South Africans weighing in on what they see as proof that their country leads the trends.

The clip was shared on X by user @AkanimiltonM on 1 September 2026. The post caption read:

"Zimbabweans want to be South African so bad bra, they now making Mnangagwa do what cup cakes has been doing."

Ramaphosa started it all

The reference points directly to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who sparked an internet moment on 14 August 2026 when he used the Gen Z slang phrase "clock it" during an address at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The moment was captured on video and spread rapidly across TikTok and Instagram. Ramaphosa has since repeated the phrase on the ANC campaign trail ahead of the November 2026 local elections, cementing its place in the political conversation.

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The phrase divided opinion at home. While many South Africans found Ramaphosa's embrace of youth internet culture amusing, others pushed back, arguing that the president should focus on serious issues like the country's youth unemployment rate rather than chasing viral moments.

View video here:

Zimbabwe follows SA's lead

Now, with Mnangagwa appearing to do the same sign, South Africans online took the opportunity to declare themselves the originators. The reactions ranged from amused to bluntly sceptical.

@eame303 wrote:

"OMG this is sooooo cringe 😂😂😂. Why would she do that to him?"

@mpumza87 said:

"It's a good start. Maybe true democracy and freedom of speech will follow."

@sentle22 commented:

"Ramaphosa is a role model to these guys 😅"

@Asina_Mali declared:

"We are the best country in the world. We set trends, they follow."

@SbueBheki offered a more pointed take:

"Lol you want to be the pinnacle of everything. Even that 'clock it' you want to be the pinnacle of it too, while foreigners are making it big in your universities 😅😅😅"

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Ramaphosa's visit to Mnangagwa raises eyebrows

Previously, Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa took a controversial visit to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s private farm. Questions arose after businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who is reportedly under investigation in South Africa, was seen among the guests during the visit Minister in the presidency. The presidency through its minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said the guests were invited by Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa was not privy to the list of who would be attending.

Source: Briefly News