Africa
South Africans trigger Bolt, Uber clash with Nigerians
In a recent escalation on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Nigerians and South Africans have engaged in a series of retaliatory pranks on August 22, 2024.
The conflict began when some South African users started gloating about booking fake Uber and Bolt rides in Nigeria.
They targeted e-hailing drivers by sending them to specific pick-up locations only to cancel the rides upon their arrival.
This prank not only wasted the drivers’ time but also led to frustration and financial losses.
Screenshots and videos circulating on X shows South Africans booking rides in various parts of Lagos, before mocking the Nigerian drivers who fell for the trick.
In response, Nigerian users retaliated by pulling similar pranks on South African drivers.
One Nigerian user, @FaruqBashar, tweeted:
“South African bolt drivers go too suffer this morning, we go lower till we find oil.”
The purpose of this tweet was to highlight the growing tension between the two countries.
Bolt has since intervened by blocking users involved in these pranks and limiting inter-country ride
The online feud has sparked a flurry of posts, with Nigerians expressing their determination to outdo their South African counterparts in this ongoing prank war.
Nigeria-South Africa tensions
The recent spate of pranks between Nigerian and South African users on ride-hailing platforms, Bolt and Uber, is not an isolated incident.
Instead, it reflects longstanding tensions between the two countries.
Historically, Nigeria and South Africa have strained relations, primarily due to xenophobic attacks in South Africa targeting Nigerians.
These attacks, which have been ongoing for over a decade, have caused significant friction.
South African authorities have been criticized for not doing enough to prevent or address these attacks, leading to resentment among Nigerians.
Miss South Africa pageant incident
The conflict on X intensified due to the controversy over Nigerian contestant Chidinma Adetshina’s withdrawal from Miss South Africa.
This incident sparked discussions about perceived discrimination and favoritism within the pageant.
It also fueled ongoing animosity between Nigerians and South Africans on social media.
Adetshina’s withdrawal symbolized broader issues Nigerians face in South Africa, intensifying the online feud.
Financial impact on drivers
The pranks have had a tangible financial impact on ride-hailing drivers in both countries.
For Nigerian drivers, being sent to fake pick-up locations not only wastes time but also results in lost income.
In some cases, drivers have reported that the frequent cancellations have significantly reduced their daily earnings, leading to financial hardships.
For instance, a cancellation fee of N400 (approximately R4.50) might seem small.
However, the cumulative effect of multiple cancellations can be devastating, especially for drivers who rely on daily earnings to support their families.
Driver reactions
Many affected drivers have taken to social media to express their frustrations.
One Nigerian driver lamented:
“These pranks are not just a joke; they are hurting our livelihoods. Every canceled ride is a lost opportunity to make ends meet.”
Another driver shared how the constant disruptions have made them wary of accepting rides from unfamiliar locations.
The drivers’ concerns show the online feud’s impact on their earnings, with some considering leaving the platform due to pranks.
These elements combined offer a deeper understanding of the ongoing conflict.
It is rooted in historical tensions, recent controversies, and the real-world financial impact on those affected by the pranks.
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