How many times did Ramaphosa say ‘watch this space’ during #SONA19?

Although a lot has been said before, during and after last night’s state of the nation address, nothing seems to have made more of a lasting impression than the president’s go-to phrase for the evening…

Among the many announcements he made, which include compulsory pre-school prep for children, the splitting of Eskom into three separate entities, and the establishment of new task teams and prosecution units, his instruction to “watch this space” is what has remained front of mind for most.

“Watch This Space”
– Cyril Ramaphosa #SONA2019#presidentialquotes

— O’Brien Manana✊🏽⚫️ 🎥🎬🔥🔥 (@Obriezy) February 7, 2019

You watch this space – Pres Cyril Ramaphosa #SONA2019

— CHIWETAIFE||Ezeabata📛 (@chudi_chudia) February 7, 2019

The fact that some became annoyed by how often he said the phrase is proof that South Africans were listening keenly to the president, hanging on to his every word.

#Sona2018 was all about ‘Thuma Mina’. #Sona2019 Cyril wants us to ‘Watch this space’. 😄

— Rianté Padayachee (@RianteP) February 7, 2019

https://twitter.com/kbkgobisa/status/1093560277436690432

So Cyril’s new mantra is “watch this space”. We dunno where the country is going but hey- watch this space💁🏻‍♀️😂 #SONA2019

— Bridge🌼 (@rainbowfreak_x) February 7, 2019

Some even went as far as capturing the exact moment:

#SONA2019
"You watch this space" Pres Cyril Ramaphonsa.
I believe him! pic.twitter.com/ortqyqq9uH

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Local leaders oppose the registration of foreign-owned spaza shops

— Mpumie (@Mpumie2017) February 7, 2019

Cyril says “Watch this space…” in reference to Shamila Batohi’s new role as head of the NPA. Oh Cyril, we really hope so 🤞🤞🤞 #SONA2019

— Jane Smith ☀️ (@JaneSmithZA) February 7, 2019

Most Twitter users who were live-tweeting their reactions found it amusing…

https://twitter.com/Sibzmantic/status/1093559965325889537

#SONA2019 I'm sure EFF felt threatened by Cyril Ramaphosa's " Watch this Space" #VBSBankHeist ring a bell 🛎. They no longer interested in asking asking Ramaphosa about #BosasaBribes https://t.co/P86A9gIUmX

— Jolinkomo (@ThamiMilis) February 7, 2019

… while others found it annoying

I swear if Ramaphosa says watch this space one more time I am going to move to Austarlia.

— lavas (@whylerato) February 7, 2019

https://twitter.com/TumiMolekane/status/1093571103006605317

To Ramaphosa’s defence, however, he only said it a total of three times; at 4:17:52, 4:18:22 and 5:00:31.

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