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Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address was trending at number three on Twitter on Thursday night.
Twitter user keitureid said: "So South Africa took over twitter today. We always kill it when we work and play and laugh together. Love it! #SONA ."
"I watched Top Billing and followed the #SONA on Twitter," Anatinus tweeted.
There were mixed reactions to the address from South Africans on the social networking site.
"Yeah hey #SONA was interesting & much better than last year," Vuyisile_Sisulu tweeted after Zuma's address.
Another user WarrenGwilt said: "Does the dreary tone in #SONA reflect the mass populous of our country?"
"Took a break from my holiday to catch up on #SONA! Impressed with the tone of President Zuma's speech! It's now up to us to make it work :-)," KassNaidoo said.
Lungi_D said: "The #SONA was nice, but we can hope that we will applaud our leaders for their ACTIONS when their term is over."
Twitter mentioned
Twitter users showed their delight when Zuma gave twitter a mention in his address.
"We would like to thank all South Africans who contributed to this State of the Nation address through mainstream media, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as direct contact," he said in his third address.
Jonathan_Witt tweeted: "Twitter just got a mention, YAY we're all going to heaven! #SONA".
Five fm DJ Gareth Cliff, who started a state of the nation drinking game on twitter, tweeted: "The President mentioned all of us on Twitter Thanks Msholozi. He also gave us our first double shot #JZSOTNDrinks".
"Since many have no taste for the political, we thought we'd see if we could bring a whole new audience to the current Head of State's remarks that start the parliamentary year... by playing a drinking game! Are you in?," Cliff wrote on his blog.
Rules of the drinking game stated that every time the President said "Absolutely!", clears his throat or pushes his glasses up on to the bridge of his nose, people must drink one shot of their choice liquid.
If Zuma mentioned ABSA, "Nquza Hill" or started laughing, people had to double the quantities consumed.
Before the start of Zuma's address Cliff tweeted: "Another throat clear, and we haven't even said hi to all the dignitaries... Damn. Phuza Thursday #JZSOTNDrinks".
User mattlaubscher said: "What's your tally so far? #JZSOTNDrinks" I'm on 15. Hawu! Kuyadabukisa! Alcoholic..."
Twitter users participated with enthusiasm.
A user ThaboModisane said: "@GarethCliff Promoting political awareness in an ABSOLUTELY politically incorrect way - love it #JZSOTNDrinks"
"Tip hat raise glass to @GarethCliff I've never enjoyed a speech this much," another user Sureshnie said.
