Social Media News South Africa

#YearOnTikTok 2021 unveils in SA

In 2021, over one billion people turned to TikTok to be entertained, find and share their joy with others, and learn new things. TikTok unveiled #YearOnTikTok 2021 in celebration of 2021-of-a-kind, which has been made possible by entertainment driven by its community.
Source: supplied
Source: supplied

This year-end celebration recognises talent and looks back on creativity, trends, creators, movements, and moments that made 2021 one to remember in Mzansi.

Placed under different categories, #YearOnTikTok 2021 ranges from popular songs that kept South Africans on their feet dancing to creators who became voices of change and celeb/creator breakthrough stars of 2021 – and everyone has played a part in bringing creativity and joy to a platform and a world that needed it.

"It's been incredible to see how Mzansi has continued to grow and support one another this year on the platform,” says Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok content operations manager, Africa.

“We've seen trends such as the recent Love Nwantiti and #Amapiano started and spread across ‘For You’ feeds on the app,” says Sidwaba. Amapiano has taken the world by storm and not only kept the country dancing but has transcended the world giving South Africa its well-deserved supreme musical recognition with over 1.6 billion views on TikTok and the most popular music hashtag in South Africa.

“For us, 2021 was a year for connection and we’ve seen people on TikTok laughing together, entertaining us, starting cultural phenomenons, and teaching us new things,” says Vanessa Pappas, chief operating officer, TikTok.

@victor_ivyic

#fyp #victorivyic #fanpage

♬ Siyathandana - Cassper Nyovest

Year on TikTok 2021 report

2021 Top locally produced songs


  1. Siyathandana - Cassper Nyovest
  2. Banyana - DJ Maphorisa & Tyler ICU
  3. Iyamemeza - DJ Sumbody
  4. It Ain't Me - Dj Abux
  5. Yaba Baluku - DJ Tarico
  6. Sisonke - Thozi, Khanyisa, Sphokuhle & PD Jokes
  7. Izolo - DJ Maphorisa & Tyler ICU & Visca
  8. Summeryomuthi - Blaq Diamond
  9. The Whistling Man - Blaqnick & MasterBlaq
  10. Dangerous - Jah Prayzah

The playlist: popular songs


  1. Siyathandana - Cassper Nyovest]]
  2. Banyana - DJ Maphorisa & Tyler ICU
  3. Iyamemeza - DJ Sumbody (feat. Drip Gogo & The Lowkeys)
  4. Cognac Queen - Megan Thee Stallion

FYFaves: popular videos


  1. @sachi_hime96 – local Anime at play
  2. @shandorlarenty – one of a kind animal love
  3. @wian – magic at its finest
  4. @_lxndi – when comedy meets school life
  5. @zayaan4 – local is always lekker

Powered by joy: videos that brought so much joy


  1. @chadjones957 – a family jamming to Amapiano
  2. @clementmaosa – Mzansi celebs showing their goofy sides
  3. @brwnskn – Nurse Thandi at her best
  4. @zayaan4 – back to school days we can relate to
  5. @khanyisa_jaceni – it’s a form of self-love


Culture: videos showing our rainbow nation


  1. Proud South African Heritage - @sophy.zeeigh
  2. Cartoon Parody - @nokomashabax
  3. A mix of local tunes - @thozimusic
  4. #StreetFood - @larnelle

Sports: local sports highlights


  1. New Season means new warm up drills - @sundownsfc
  2. #Bhopa vibes on the field - @supersportunited
  3. #LadyPogba - @lady_pogba
  4. #MyRugbyMoment - @springboks.rugby

Breakthrough stars: creators, celebrities and public figures on the rise1.

  1. @sphokuhle.n - south africa’s darling
  2. @williamlast_krm - the funniest man in Africa
  3. @lloyiso - first South African artist to be signed to New York music label, Republic Records
  4. @khanyisa_jaceni - has risen to local stardom as a phenomenal vocalist
  5. @witney8 - recognised globally as a social media sensation & creative
  6. @mooyamusunga - known for his cool dance moves, Mooya has risen to global popularity. The party starter
  7. @shandorlarenty - known to the world as “the lion man”

Voices of change: creators, celebrities and public figures at the forefront of social movements and moments


  1. Woman pilot of color - @pilot_onthegram
  2. Local Dr recognised by WHO - @doctor.siya
  3. A wake-up call to love yourself - @paballokgware
  4. #RisingVoices, TikTok project to upskill South African creators of color - @tiktok.southafrica

Eats on repeat: #FoodTok trends and other favourites


  1. Oreo in a cup - @whisksandladle
  2. They are never going to know - @zaynabparuk
  3. Cookie baked oatmeal - @thebakeaholic
  4. Chicken liver pasta - @mealsbysiya

The throwbacks: trends inspired by #NostalgiaTok


  1. #OurParents - @shorttempered_goat
  2. #OurParents - @witney8
  3. Back to school days - @zayaan4
  4. Safarina - @moghelingz

Let's do Biz