January 2019, Keabetswe Jan tweeted asking her followers “O jewa ke eng?” which translates to “what is eating at you?” and to date, it has changed so many lives!
South Africa (11 February 2020) – On the 5th of January 2019, “Keabetswe Jan” took to Twitter and tweeted something simple. She just wanted to check on her followers but she never imagined the Tweet would go on to change so many lives!
The Tweet simply said “O Jewa Ke Eng?” which is a Southern Sotho phrase and the direct translation means ‘what is eating you up?’. Twitter users started sharing the things that were making life hard, and without any expectations, others began helping them.
The post has been seen by thousands of people, and within just one year, hundreds of lives have been changed. From people needing food and electricity to others trying to get jobs and further their studies, you name it, someone has asked, and someone else has helped.
The latest is student Bubu Sithole tweeted that she was packing up her bags and heading home because she couldn’t afford to reregister for her 2020 studies.
“I’m currently packing my bags and going back home because I have outstanding fees and can’t register. I owe R29k & they want 17k for me to register provisionally. I was rejected by NSFAS twice in a row even after I sent through my mom’s death certificate and my dad’s disability papers”
Bubu called her grandmother to tell her the sad news, and her grandmother said it would be ok, that they would try again in 2021. Bubu asked for help getting a job so she could start saving up to continue her studies.
People saw her response to the tweet and quickly started working to help her. Singer, Songwriter Zonke saw the Tweet and asked Bubu to reach out. She offered to help Bubu stay in school.
In just two days, Bubu’s fees were paid up, and she could stay at university. This is just another in the string of feel-good stories that the Tweet has created.
Thank you so so much for all retweets, prayers and words of encouragement friends. I will never forget this day in my life. Ngyabonga sis @ZonkeMusic Kwande lapho uthatha khona, thank you for believing that I’m deserving for this opportunity. My eyes leak but I’m happy. 🙏🏽❤️
— Bubu Sithole (@Bubus_s) February 8, 2020
If you are ever looking to spread the love, you can read through the thread and find someone who needs a helping hand.
O jewa ke eng ?
— Keabetswe🌬 (@akreana_) January 5, 2019
In December, Twitter confirmed that the Tweet was the most Retweeted with Comments in 2019!
Now we have to Retweet with Comment to tell everyone that this was the most Retweeted with Comment Tweet in all of 2019 🤔 #ThisHappened https://t.co/D8HU42vRoO
— Twitter Data (@TwitterData) December 9, 2019
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