WATCH: ‘Helen Zille’ 2010 tweet goes viral
A tweet mistaken for former DA leader Helen Zille has gone viral for its racial undertones. Here’s what happened…
An X account – mistaken for former Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille – has resurfaced amid a slew of racial tweets.
One in particular is being retweeted by celebrities and EFF leader Julius Malema.
RACIST TWEET IS NOT FROM HELEN ZILLE
The tweet in question – posted in 2010 – read, “What is good for white people is good for South Africa.”
However, the X handle had Helen Zille’s misspelled name, an indication it was a parody account.
The tweet was reposted by celebs like Prince Kaybee and Busiswah. EFF leader Julius Malema and notorious X troll Chris Xcel also retweeted the post.
https://t.co/nJBpt2wl8u pic.twitter.com/KawrEIlomJ
— K A B I L L I O N (@PrinceKaybee_SA) February 24, 2024
Helen has yet to address the confusion on her own X account.
NOT THE ONLY PARODY ACCOUNT
The X account is not the only parody account linked to Helen Zille that has made headlines.
@nothelenzille – now disabled – was known for its tongue-in-cheek commentary on everything from politics to fashion to social media digs at others.
One in particular read: “If you want Cape Town to be its own Country, SMS “Cape Town” to 31434 (cost is R4500 per SMS).”
RT @notHelenZille: We’ve secured Table mountain! Now SMS “CAMPS BAY” to 35782 to make it into the top 7 … http://t.co/ztMz1ONE
— Bonie (@Boniei) November 12, 2011
In 2019, Western Cape ANC MPL Cameron Dugmore laid a charge against the anonymous X account after he claimed it spread defamatory claims about him. Dugmore also claimed that he reported the account to X – then known as Twitter.