Why President Uhuru’s Tweet Trended in South Africa on Saturday

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Saturday morning tweet paying tribute to late Winnie Mandela has gone viral on social media in South Africa.

South Africans were impressed by the Kenyan Head of State after he used Zulu language to bid farewell to the anti-apartheid crusader, who will be laid to rest at the Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery in Johannesburg on Saturday.

President Uhuru wrote: “Go well heroine, icon, liberator. Lala Ngoxolo. Qhawe lama qhawe (which is Zulu for: Rest in peace. The hero of this warrior).”

Real-time Johannesburg Twitter trends aggregator, Trendsmap Jo’burg said Uhuru’s tweet made him trend in the South African capital. Most South Africans commended him for “understanding” the language.

“Ndiyabulela kuwe umongameli yam which is Xhosa for I thank you for my president.” One user tweeted.

Another one noted: “Siyabulela.” (Thank you’ in Zulu)

“Amandlaaaaaa Mr. President. Enkosi Tata ungayilibali, usicebise silulutsha leSouth  Africa. We salute you Sir. Amandlaaaaaaaaaaaaa. (Power Mr President Thank you Dad, thank you for South Africa’s youth. We salute you sir. Power!)” a user wrote in Zulu.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga and his wife Ida flew to South Africa on Friday to attend Winnie’s funeral. Mrs Mandela was a close friend to the Odingas.