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\u2019s leaders and citizens during the first full year of coalition governance.<\/p>\n
Themed\u00a02025: The Year of Reckoning and Resilience<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n \u201cSix years ago, we asked whether our government leaders regard X as essential to citizen engagement or merely a nice-to-have,\u201d says Decode founder and CEO\u00a0Lorato Tshenkeng. \u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Top Five Digital Leaders (5\/5 Excellence)<\/strong><\/p>\n Bottom Five Digital Laggards (0\/5)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>National Government \u2013 Talking, But Not Listening<\/strong><\/p>\n In a year defined by the G20, the budget speech debacle, the SA-US diplomatic fallout and General Mkhwanazi\u2019s explosive press briefing, 82% of cabinet members are on X \u2013 yet only 35% respond to citizens. Five critical portfolio ministers (Finance, Health, Water, Social Development and Transport) are absent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGovernment leaders are silent where citizens need them most,\u201d said Tshenkeng. \u201cWith only 35% of ministers responding, broadcast mode creates a vast democratic deficit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Public Entities \u2013 Strong Brands, Invisible Leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s Dan Marokane, Transnet\u2019s Michelle Phillips and DBSA\u2019s Boitumelo Mosako. All Chapter 9 heads are absent from X in their personal capacity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Provincial Government \u2013 The Great Silence<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u2013 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\u2019s digital presence.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>A Call to Action<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cDigital silence breeds democratic distrust. The question isn\u2019t whether digital government is possible. It\u2019s whether South Africa\u2019s leaders have the courage to show up and be truly responsive, not just present,\u201d said Tshenkeng.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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\u2019 performance agreements.<\/p>\n\n
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