The world may be falling apart, but the internet stays undefeated. Here’s our pick of the funniest, sassiest and surprisingly deep responses to the news this week.
US President Donald Trump let loose on “Liberation Day” on Wednesday — a new date he literally made up — by slapping a minimum of 10% tariffs on all imported goods. Trump says the move will “reclaim America’s independence” from the horrors of affordable foreign stuff like cars, electronics and… citrus fruit. Stocks tumbled, and trade partners are fuming.
Economists say this could seriously hurt emerging markets like ours — and ordinary Americans, too. We’ll dig into what this all means for SA’s economy later in the Wrap. 🇿🇦📉
Given the state of current world leadership, I think this is as good a year as any to finally retire April Fools Day, on the grounds it's no longer possible to tell what is a joke and what is real.
— Neil Stone (@DrNeilStone) April 1, 2025
With actual news headlines reading like parody these days, April Fools’ Day had stiff competition. Still, brands and celebs gave it a go — and South Africans got in on the fun, too. Crocs introduced “feet crocs” (literally, shoes in the shape of feet), and Heinz was apparently launching Dubai-inspired canned baked beans with a pistachio filling. Elsewhere, a UK nappy brand unveiled singing diapers, while Hyundai Motor promoted “taxi-style” pay-as-you-go loos.
The Great Grok War of March 2025. 💀I think the lesson here is not to spread disinformation. Use it, don’t use it. Great job everyone. Never let lies about South Africa stand. Ever. Fist bumps all round. And thanks to the MVP, @grok. Grokzito. Grokzin. MaGrozizo. mGrokana. pic.twitter.com/kZuJAI20Lz
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) March 31, 2025
South African X users have been living for the brutally honest, fact-based responses by Grok, Elon Musk’s X-exclusive chatbot— especially when it clashes with Musk’s own views (and his fave politician, Trump). In what’s now jokingly dubbed the “Grok War of March 2025”, the bot understands vernac, answers complex questions about the “white genocide” and US politics with more clarity than some analysts, all while dropping casual township slang and even picking sides between the MK vs EFF (spoiler: it chose EFF). Oh, and it’s also been asked to predict soccer match results — because this is South Africa and, well, priorities.
Globally, Grok’s doing the same — from dropping Hindi sass in India to channelling Gen Z snark in the US while combatting misinformation. We’re here for it. 💥🇿🇦🤖
Verashni is passionate about empowering citizens to hold those in power to account. She was previously editor-in-chief of the Mail & Guardian and HuffPost South Africa, and won the CNN African Journalism Award, among others.
