The online feud between Nigerians and South Africans escalated on Thursday morning as both groups engaged in a new round of supremacy battles.
The conflict took a unique turn as individuals from both countries targeted each other by ordering e-hailing services from opposing nations and cancelling the rides when drivers arrived at the designated pickup locations.
South Africans allegedly initiated the move by ordering Bolt and Uber drivers in Nigeria, only to cancel the rides upon arrival.
In response, Nigerians retaliated by doing the same in South Africa.
As a result, ‘South Africa African’ and ‘Bolt’ became leading trends on X (formerly known as Twitter) in Nigeria.
Furthermore, Nigerians on the platform mobilized their fellow citizens to book rides in South Africa using e-hailing apps, demonstrating their collective strength.
Other users have also been mocking South Africans for starting the ‘war’ that they couldn’t win when they knew Nigerians have the numbers to mobilise from with the purported 200 million population of the most populous African country.
Reacting to the challenge, an X user, posting from the handle @elcoweygetloco, while warning South Africans, wrote, “Hope they know Nigerians are jobless😂they shouldn’t allow Nigerians play this game with them cuz Nigerians will really take it farrr🤣”
A popular social commentator, Moris Monye, said, “So let me put it out there. South Africans pay to cancel bolt rides. For Nigerians, it’s free to cancel. Only one side will lose if people go head to head.”
Another user, Bayo Otedola, who tweets from @mister_ade5, wrote, “Nigerians don’t need to beg South Africans to stop this Bolt challenge they’ve started. With the population we have and our access to the internet, it will not be funny if Nigerians return this energy.”
Showing he had been busy winning the challenge for team Nigeria, another social media user, tweeting from @Oladapomikky1, said he had booked 15 Uber riders in South Africa.
“From my stats, I have successfully booked 15 Uber / Bolt drivers this morning within Johannesburg. South Africans 🤝 Aura for Aura ✅. Fellow Nigerians how many Unna don book this morning?,” @Oladapomikky1 wrote.
Also, @AjeboDanny wrote, “South Africans keep telling Nigerians to leave their country and go back home but decide to harass the bolt drivers that are back home. South Africans don’t hate Nigerians because they’re in their country, they just hate that Nigerians are doing better than them.”
Also, some South Africans on the platform ‘conceded defeat’, with others raising concerns over the effect of the challenge on the economic activities of the Bolt drivers.
A user, tweeting from @Shaunkeyz, wrote, “South Africa started a mess, look now Nigerians are doing the same thing to our South African bolt drivers, that wasn’t cool man.”
@skyline_check also wrote, “SAns and Nigerians need to be put on separate continents… There’s no way people can be this petty and mess with each other’s livelihoods.”
Also, @MemeCIC said, “Yeah this one was an own goal. Teo can play this game. Let’s call a truce.”
@MhlangaLindo wrote, “Honestly we are cooking a pot we won’t be able to lift once done. These big accounts are toxic and sponsored by hate. They are messing with innocent people’s lives. Instead of terrorizing the police to deal with these crimes, they go fuel hate and I’m afraid it won’t end well.”
Both countries renewed rivalry took a different turn after a Nigerian, Chidinma Adetshina, opted out of the Miss South Africa pageantry.
Adetshina’s withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant was triggered by significant backlash over questions regarding her nationality.
The 23-year-old law student from Soweto, South Africa, garnered widespread attention when she announced her decision to step down, citing concerns for the safety and well-being of herself and her family.
Her decision came after an investigation by South Africa’s Home Affairs Department suggested that Adetshina’s mother might have committed “identity theft” to obtain South African citizenship.
