Culture Craze
Mzansi Reacts After Nota Baloyi Says He Made iShowSpeed Trend
When global streamer iShowSpeed touched down in South Africa, it did not take long for his presence to ripple across local timelines. For three fast-paced days, fans spotted him in public spaces, phones came out, clips flew around WhatsApp groups, and his name settled comfortably among the country’s trending topics.
Just as the buzz started to cool, local music industry commentator Nota Baloyi reignited the conversation with a statement that instantly became its own viral moment. According to Nota, iShowSpeed did not trend organically. He believes he played a role in making that happen. Mzansi’s reaction was swift and loud.
A claim that took on a life of its own
Nota Baloyi has built a public profile on bold opinions and unapologetic commentary. This time, his claim landed in a digital space already buzzing with post-visit commentary. Many social media users questioned how one person could claim credit for the virality of a globally followed streamer visiting a country with one of the most active online cultures on the continent.
Within hours, the conversation shifted from iShowSpeed’s visit to Nota’s assertion itself.
How iShowSpeed actually dominated timelines
Part of why the claim struck a nerve is because South Africans recognised the pattern immediately. International stars often trend locally without any formal push. Visibility does the work. A sighting at a mall, a quick interaction with fans, or a clip filmed by a bystander is often enough to spark mass engagement.
iShowSpeed’s popularity among younger South Africans meant the interest was already there. His visit simply gave fans something local to connect with, and the content followed naturally.
Mzansi reacts with humour first
True to form, South African social media leaned into humour. Memes, sarcastic posts, and playful comments flooded timelines, many joking that Mzansi does not need help deciding what to trend. Others poked fun at Nota’s habit of inserting himself into viral moments, turning the claim into a punchline rather than a serious debate.
That said, a handful of voices offered a softer take, suggesting that influence can happen behind the scenes and that not all contributions are visible to the public.
NOTA speaks on IshowSpeed 🇺🇲🇿🇦
“I made him trend… I'm the reason he was trending”
Full episode out @ 16h00 pic.twitter.com/TEMu0tFvQy
— RAP-KULTURE ZA (@rapkulture_za) January 8, 2026
Why this debate feels familiar
This moment reflects a bigger cultural pattern online. In South Africa, the conversation about who deserves credit often becomes as viral as the event itself. Whether it is music, fashion, or celebrity visits, the question of influence regularly sparks its own wave of engagement.
In that sense, Nota’s comment says as much about local digital culture as it does about iShowSpeed’s visit. It highlights how global moments are quickly reframed through a local lens.
Noise, relevance, and the attention economy
Ultimately, iShowSpeed’s South African visit stands on its own. Fans got their moments, content creators got their clips, and the internet moved on as it always does. For Nota Baloyi, the response confirmed something else entirely. His name still triggers conversation.
In an online space driven by attention, that alone keeps you in the mix. Whether Mzansi agrees with him or not, the laughter, debates, and endless reposts prove one thing. South Africans will always engage when a bold claim hits the timeline.
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Source: Bona Magazine
Featured Image: Eduzim
