#AskBlade in the shade as Nzimande puts head above social media parapet

26 February 2016 - 11:46 By TMG Digital

Perhaps irked by the criticism over his apparent absence amidst the violence on South African’s campuses this week‚ Blade Nzimande put his head above the social media parapet this week.Judging by the Twitter response‚ the higher education and training minister could spend the weekend regretting the #AskBlade hashtag that trended on Twitter on Friday morning.Trevor Samson He used his account - Bonginkosi Nzimande @DrBladeNzimande to put down this gauntlet: “For 24 hours I invite you to #AskBlade questions you have about #HigherEducation - Will post Answers Monday 29 Feb”. Uthi Christians ‏@uthichristians thought Nzimande’s weekend could be better spent: “#AskBlade you are f**ked. Rather enjoy a weekend away because there will be no resolution by Monday”‚ while Mterror Tongo ‏@Mterror02 suggested Nzimande was a spent force‚ and asked rhetorically: “When r u going to resign? #AskBlade”.SIPHIWE SIBEKO The minister’s vocal delivery concerned one spoof account‚ which put this to him - IG: AdvBarryRoux ‏@Barry_Roux tweeted: “Why is your voice still squicky at that old age.. shouldn't it have 'broke' by now.. asking for a neighbor's son. #AskBlade”. It was the Democratic Alliance’s vocal delivery that was on MmBlack YouTuber ‏@SabeloMabida’s mind: “What type of education did Mmusi Maimane get that taught him multiple accents? #AskBlade”.HANDOUT MasterCap ‏@MasterCap22 referenced Maimane’s recent State of the Nation Address debate speech‚ and asked: “#AskBlade when are you going to planet Zuma”?Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais There were some serious questions‚ and SIPHO MrRight CHULE ‏@CHULESIPHO got stuck in with: “#AskBlade How possible to have free higher eduction in this country? If possible‚ when can we have it?” “Daluxolo Nkonyane ‏@Dsomethng8 wanted his impressions on the situation overall: “What do you say when you see our higher education institutions in such chaos #AskBlade”.David Harrison Nipho_Hova ‏@Nipho_Reserved didn’t have a question‚ but did have some criticism: “Your department seems to be reactionary and not leading from the front. Please reduce turnaround time for student grievances #AskBlade”.Sunday Times Vacker Gåva ❤ ‏@Mis_Neyney seemed to think the issue was way overboard‚ saying: “People have ZERO chill with this TT #AskBlade”‚ then nailed the minister with this retweet: "@UnDEANiable: Have you tried Cuticura? #AskBlade"...

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