Zimbabwe Eye
By Simba Chikanza
31 October 2012
Two Zimbabwean ministers have been ranked in Africa’s top ten tweeting politicians.
Education Minister, David Coltart, together with his party boss Welshman Ncube were listed in Africa’s top ten tweeting politicians’ list.
The compilation which appeared in a Guardian newspaper article written by one David Smith reveals Coltart as Zimbabwe’s greatest tweeting politician with 2,962 tweets, following 280, and 6,600 followers, and then Ncube trailing behind with 2,633 tweets 6,892 following, and 7,017 followers.
The two politicians both belong to the MDC party led by Welshman Ncube.
Other African politicians listed include South African firebrand, expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga, and Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame.
African’s greatest tweeting politician is Western Cape premier and leader of South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance, Hellen Zille who has the greatest number of tweets, 13,986, and also a high number of followers – 188,283 in total. But Hellen Zille is no match for firebrand expelled ANC youth leader Julius Malema, who despite having a low record 4,810 tweets, however has 234,486 followers.
In an analysis of the two political tweeterers the article says of David Coltart:
The Movement for Democratic Change politician regularly tackles politics and sport. “‘The Minister is sleep WORKING on duty,’ Zanu PF’s Jonathan Moyo blaming me for the Warriors loss against Angola in the Herald today!â€
Of Ncube it says:
“Ncube offers an insight into the daily frustrations of working in a coalition government with the Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, and prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai. And of life in general: “In 4 weeks’ time, everything stops in the country. Mid-Nov xmas mood takes over n decision-makers will be off to shiny ships in the sea.†â€
The list does not include any from Morgan Tsvangirai’s or Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party.