A #Memehistory of South Africa

#Memehistory has taken off on Twitter as @TylerIAm came across a meme used in a teacher’s presentation on Adolf Hitler.

After experimenting with a tweet on WWII, the hashtag went viral, producing memes covering a wide range of topics and eras in history. One of the topics covered was South African history. Here are some of our favourite tweets.

#memehistory Jan Van Riebeeck arriving in Cape Town in 1652: We come in peace... pic.twitter.com/nYFjf2dPQ7

— Shero (@TheeShero) March 11, 2016

The British reaction after the Zulu warriors defeated them at Isandlwana #MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/KKsTA3hP6I

— bird-person (@nomsgamedz) March 11, 2016

Black people in South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War like 'this ain't even your land tho'...#MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/6iK4B9Qnx0

— Tshego Khunou (@xoxo_Tee) March 11, 2016

White people when, slavery, apartheid, colonisation were legislated. #MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/P4ErGM6Lbo

— Șhîńgàï! Ňdìňğą (@BalletNoir) March 11, 2016

When they used the Bible to justify apartheid and sexism #MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/oe9FZBoDiM

— Coconut oiler (@mcWorldChanger) March 11, 2016

Mandela walking out of prison like... #memestory#MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/ri4LvjzuoP

— Eka (@Lionezz__) March 11, 2016

When the ANC was negotiating the end of Apartheid and forgot to ask for the Land #memehistorypic.twitter.com/IbaDJpEyse

— Young King! (@IamClaro) March 11, 2016

Images of crowd reacting to Mbeki's last ANC Conference in Polokwane #MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/0zFCjkOVsO

— PsyKø|Teddy (@Psyko_Teddy) March 11, 2016

#MemeHistory President Zuma after defeating Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Mothlante 2007&2012 respectively pic.twitter.com/fLZU9CVf8S

— People's Sbali (@Im_Sphe_) March 11, 2016

When Jacob Zuma noticed that his new speech writer puts in actual numbers instead of writing them out #MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/UURWwHT7bm

— Lars Maliti (@LazollaMaliti) March 11, 2016

#MemeHistory When Zuma said all continents can fit into Africa pic.twitter.com/dxT8GULmbC

— ABK (@_Aobakwe_) March 11, 2016

When Zuma hired and fired David Van Rooyen in less than a week #MemeHistorypic.twitter.com/FjbxU98qFR

— Stoksweet (@Jean_Vion) March 11, 2016