Tyla, winner of the 'African Music Performance' award for "Water" attends the 66th Grammy Awards at Peacock Theater on 4 February 2024 in Los Angeles, California. President Cyril Ramaphosa fumbles with his mask during one of his Covid-19 'family meetings'. Emma McIntyre/ Getty Images via AFP and X @GoodThingsGuy
South Africans were quick to pounce on President Cyril Ramaphosa after his “Woke up to the News” X post in which he congratulated Johannesburg-born Tyla on bagging her first Grammy award on Sunday.
The 22-year-old hitmaker came out tops with her song Water in the newly added category for Best African Music Performance against fellow nominees Musa Keys and Burna Boy.
ALSO READ: WATCH: ‘What the heck? What? Oh my gosh!’ – SA’s Tyla freaked out when she won a Grammy
With Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) looming large this Thursday, social media users could not resist dragging the president for the wording of his message, commenting that he “woke up very late” for someone who is the leader of a country.
“Woke up to the news of our very own Tyla winning the Best African Music Performance for her song ‘Water’ at the #Grammys.
“We congratulate, and we celebrate with you. Your win affirms South Africa’s sustained success in various international fora. Thank you for your authenticity and for flying the flag.”
ALSO READ: Sona: Hope that Ramaphosa will refrain from sloganeering
The question was also raised as to why Ramaphosa never congratulated South African mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Dricus du Plessis for his UFC middleweight title win recently, with one X user @krugersville raising the matter of the upcoming 2024 national and provincial elections.
“She’s not voting for the ANC, forget about it, Mr President!”
ALSO READ: When will Ramaphosa announce the elections? Here’s what the data says
Internationally renowned South African musician, producer and parody artist David Scott aka The Kiffness also weighed in with a reference to the title of Tyla’s award-winning song and the water crisis in KwaZulu-Natal:
“Meanwhile, you can’t even supply ‘water’ in KZN.”
ALSO READ: Trevor Noah and Tyla bond over their love for roller-coasters in an intimate interview
@GodessOshun commented on the cost-of-living crisis and rising interest rates which has been impacting negatively on the nation:
“Our economy is on its knees and the president wakes up at 9am? Register to vote, please.”
@RoundHouseBet referred to the president’s now-famous “mask fumble” when he addressed the nation in 2020 during Covid-19 hard lockdown:
“Trying to remove your sleepwear and realising what’s happening in SA.”
Singing sensation Tyla toured with rapper Chris Brown during February and March 2023 before releasing her hit song Water in July.
NOW READ: Who is Tyla? – Mzansi artist who broke Master KG’s record and is making global waves
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