On Thursday, 29 January 2026, Decode, a leading Pan-African reputation management consultancy, released the sixth annual South African Government Leaders on X Report in Johannesburg, South Africa, which has exposed a deepening digital disconnect between the country’s leaders and citizens during the first full year of coalition governance.

Themed 2025: The Year of Reckoning and Resilience, this edition tracked more than 340 government accounts, with a combined following of more than 11 million over 12 months. The study covered 77 national leaders, more than 90 provincial leaders, 275 CEOs of public entities, heads of Chapter 9 and constitutional institutions, more than 100 spokespeople, and 275 state-owned companies and public entities. X was chosen because it remains the dominant real-time, news-driven space where leaders, journalists and citizens converge.

“Six years ago, we asked whether our government leaders regard X as essential to citizen engagement or merely a nice-to-have,” says Decode founder and CEO Lorato Tshenkeng. “In 2025, the answer is uncomfortable. The government continues to broadcast without listening. SOE CEOs leading organisations with R1.2 trillion in public assets are invisible online, and seven of the nine provinces operate in digital darkness.”

Top Five Digital Leaders (5/5 Excellence)

1. President Cyril Ramaphosa (3.09m followers): Unmatched reach through strategic messaging on the G20 and investment, but a 0% direct-response rate from citizens.
2. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi (599 300 followers): 90% MEC participation, coordinated #GrowingGautengTogether campaigns, and the only province where citizens can engage with every portfolio.
3. Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie (405 000 followers): Same-day responsiveness and personality-driven content that breaks bureaucratic norms.
4. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube (31 410 followers): Smaller follower base but the highest interaction quality among cabinet members.
5. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber (60,178 followers): A video-first strategy and the #TeamHomeAffairs institutional voice are driving high engagement on immigration matters.

Bottom Five Digital Laggards (0/5)

1. KZN Premier Thami Ntuli (569 followers): One post in all of 2025; 8 of 10 MECs silent, leaving 11.3 million citizens unable to reach their government.
2. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane: Two conflicting accounts, one inactive since 2021; 9 of 10 MECs absent.
3. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana: Not on X during an economic crisis – 1% GDP growth, 32.9% unemployment, and R80 billion-plus in SOE bailouts.
4. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi: Not on X during the NHI rollout, doctor shortages and hospital infrastructure decay.
5. Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina: Not on X during the Hammanskraal cholera crisis and the persistent Johannesburg water blackouts.

 National Government – Talking, But Not Listening

In a year defined by the G20, the budget speech debacle, the SA-US diplomatic fallout and General Mkhwanazi’s explosive press briefing, 82% of cabinet members are on X – yet only 35% respond to citizens. Five critical portfolio ministers (Finance, Health, Water, Social Development and Transport) are absent.

“Government leaders are silent where citizens need them most,” said Tshenkeng. “With only 35% of ministers responding, broadcast mode creates a vast democratic deficit.” 

 Public Entities – Strong Brands, Invisible Leaders

Institutional accounts perform well: Eskom (616 777 followers, 4/5), Telkom (385 288, 5/5), SAA (440 960, 4/5), and the Public Protector (512 411, 4/5). However, 82% of public entity CEOs are digitally invisible, including Eskom’s Dan Marokane, Transnet’s Michelle Phillips and DBSA’s Boitumelo Mosako. All Chapter 9 heads are absent from X in their personal capacity. 

 Provincial Government – The Great Silence

Only 15% of MECs nationally are active. Just two of nine provinces operate digitally: Gauteng (4.5/5) and the Western Cape (3.5/5). The remaining seven are digital deserts – KZN Premier Ntuli posted once in 2025, Eastern Cape Premier Mabuyane is confusing citizens with two accounts, and Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba accounts for 99.5% of her province’s digital presence.

 A Call to Action

“Digital silence breeds democratic distrust. The question isn’t whether digital government is possible. It’s whether South Africa’s leaders have the courage to show up and be truly responsive, not just present,” said Tshenkeng.

The report recommends activating the ministers of Finance, Health and Water on X; replicating the Gauteng and Western Cape models nationally; establishing binding government-wide digital standards; creating a public performance dashboard; and embedding digital accountability in leaders’ performance agreements.

 The full report is available here: https://www.decode.co.za/home/restricted/

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