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

President Cyril Ramaphosa ‘clocked it’ in a speech he delivered late last week, 14 August 2026, as he welcomed the students of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. During the address, the President used the viral Gen Z slang “clock it,” a moment that has since sparked a wide range of reactions across South Africa.

The President shared a light-hearted moment with the students, even demonstrating the accompanying gesture to the crowd, which responded with laughter and cheers. At a SADC lecture in Durban, Ramaphosa confessed who taught him the phrase, clarifying that it was not his PR team, but rather a personal interaction that led to the inclusion of the slang in his speech.

Clock it, clock it.

While some viewed the gesture as a relatable attempt to connect with the youth, others have been more critical, questioning the appropriateness of the President adopting trending social media slang. The moment has since gone viral on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, with many users debating whether the President’s attempt to bridge the generational gap was authentic or merely a performative tactic.