Each year, April Fool’s Day brings with it a myriad of stories that leave South Africa as a whole in a panic and questioning whether or not they are real. Last year, for example, TimesLIVE released a story stating that then-president Jacob Zuma would be studying a BCom degree to outdo rival politician, Julius Malema.

This year, the stories border on ridiculous, but are still rooted just enough in reality to send locals into a tizzy. Here are the best April Fool’s Day stories of 2019:

Audi changes its name to ‘Odi’

Famous car brand Audi said that it “made the decision” to change its name to Odi to make it easier to pronounce. Its official statement also stated that its iconic four-ringed logo would be replaced by a single large ring in honour of the name change.

 

 

Data load shedding implemented 

Popular television show Expresso fooled the masses by stating that ‘The Mobile Institute of SA’ would put “data load shedding” in place, which would involve each cellphone number being denied access to its mobile service provider’s data network for up to two hours per day.

 

 

Springboks change name to ‘Zebras’

News network eNCA reported that the Springbok rugby team would be changing its name to the Zebras, even including a picture of the team kitted out in their ‘new’ uniform. It stated that the reason for the name change could be attributed to the team having a black captain, and said that the black and white stripes are symbolic for all South African races.

 

 

Taste food through your phone

Local retailer Pick n Pay informed its customers that they would be able to taste-test its products via their cellphones from today onwards. “Using world-class nanotechnology, the functionality allows us to transduce the olfactory and sensory elements,” said its marketing head John Bradshaw in the press release. “In plain English, that means we use your phone’s touchscreen to create a response from your nervous system that allows you to taste and smell.”

 

 

Picture: Pixabay

Article written by

Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.