Top stories this week

Although this week marked 30 years since Nelson Mandela was released from prison, the State of the Nation Address was one of the week's top trending topics. As he promised during a media conference on Sunday, 8 February, Julius Malema and the Economic Freedom Fighters disrupted the proceedings over the presence of FW de Klerk in Parliament and later demanded President Cyril Ramaphosa dismiss Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan before he can address the nation. After more than an hour of 'Point of Order' and hecklings, the EFF left the chamber and the President delivered his speech.

This week also saw the homecoming of Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi as she was welcomed by hundreds at the OR Tambo International Airport, and commenced her victory tour to South Africa's major cities. And by far the saddest news of the week, Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Tshabalala passed on and tributes to the great artist flooded social media.

Other topics that topped the trends list include the 'imaginary' annual Men's Conference set to take place over the Valentine's weekend, a fatal train crash in Roodepoort, Eskom suspending load-shedding and Adam Catzevelos' sentence being delayed. And finally, it was also reported that the deadly Coronavirus outbreak may be over by April and a vaccine may be ready in 18 months.