State of the Nation (SONA) Imbongi or praise poet Inako Mateza had President Cyril Ramaphosa tickled pink when she referred to him by his nickname, “Cupcake.”
The 19-year-old delivered the customary African introduction at Cape Town City Hall on Thursday, 6 February.
SONA: IMBONGI CALLS CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ‘CUPCAKE’
During the SONA introduction, Imbongi Inako Mateza introduced President Cyril Ramaphosa with a vibrant and enthusiastic Xhosa poem.
Her choice of wording quickly became a trending topic on social media. The 19-year-old referred to the President by a nickname given to him by the public.
She said: “Mandikuyeke my President, mandikuyeke my cupcake [Let me leave you my President, let me leave you my cupcake].
The mention of the name “Cupcake” had Ramaphosa – and the rest of the auditorium – visibly amused.
On the X app, South Africans were also entertained by the SONA introduction.
@Ramathunyane: “Ma2000 just don’t care😂😂”
@MVProJileka: “She called our president ‘Cupcake,’ and I forgive her. She’s young 😂😂😂”
@fruitcakesana: “🤣 What an unserious country.”
WHERE DOES PRESIDENT’S NICKNAME COME FROM?
On social media, President Cyril Ramaphosa has often been referred to as “Cupcake.” But where does the nickname come from?
According to IOL, the term of endearment was given to the president in 2017, as seen in messages allegedly sent to him by multiple women amid allegations he was sleeping with and financing several young women. In a leaked email, Ramaphosa – then running for the presidency – also allegedly used the term “cupcake” to describe one of the women.
Images via TikTok: @athigeleba
In a sit-down interview with the Sunday Times, Ramaphosa admitted to having an affair with a woman from Limpopo.
He said: “I had a relationship with only one person, and it ended. I dealt with it with my wife. We now have a professional relationship.”
WAS THE SONA IMBONGI DISRESPECTFUL FOR CALLING PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ‘CUPCAKE’?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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