South Africans divided over Cyril Ramaphosa’s use of ‘clock it’ to connect with university students

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sparked a wave of mixed reactions across the country after attempting to connect with university students by using the popular Gen Z slang term, “clock it.” During a recent address at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the President shared a light-hearted moment with the audience, demonstrating the accompanying hand gesture and revealing that he had recently learned the phrase.

Clock it, clock it.

The term, which generally means to notice, record, or acknowledge something, has become a viral trend among South African youth. While some citizens have praised the President for his efforts to engage with younger generations and show a more relatable, human side, others have expressed skepticism, viewing the move as a calculated attempt to appeal to voters through performative trends.

Social media platforms have been flooded with clips of the interaction, with supporters highlighting the President’s jovial demeanor as a positive step toward bridging the generational gap. Conversely, critics have questioned the authenticity of the gesture, suggesting that such attempts to adopt youth culture can sometimes feel forced or out of touch with the serious challenges facing the nation’s students.

Despite the divided public opinion, the moment has undeniably captured the attention of the digital space, turning a brief interaction into a significant talking point in South African political discourse.