Five things South African millennials remember all too well
Millenials get a lot of hate from older generations. Today, we’re ignoring that and focusing on things South African millennials will never forget.
Ok, I will be upfront with you. As the writer of this piece, I can confirm that I am indeed a South African millennial. If you’re a fellow millennial and reading this then prepare to be taken back to some of your best (or worst) memories from your child/teenagehood. Maybe you’re a parent of one who remembers the “dark days”, let’s dive into it.
5. Squidgies or “Water babies”
I remember these things being all the rage in 2008. They made both parents and kids happy as they were cheap, easy to buy and cool to look at. Remember the feeling of trading different shape ones with your friends? The only problem was the water started to smell after a while, nevermind the choking risk for younger siblings.
4. Bibos
Ok, you might not remember the name but you sure as hell remember the face of that brilliantly red Bibo character thing on the packaging! Juice for less than R1… Basically unheard of today. The flavour was good but nothing was worse than getting one and the straw was no longer attached. You could squeeze the packet and make a hole, but that left you at risk of juice all over your face and t-shirt…
While the brilliant Bibo is no longer available, South Africans never forget…
https://twitter.com/TheRealAzee_RSA/status/854964319683006465
#YouAreNotA90sKidIf YOU AINT DRANK THIS AFTER SCHOOL pic.twitter.com/HSDO1nkc0r
— Mosiuoa Thulo Studio (@MThuloStudio) June 22, 2017
#Waarwasjy when Bibo used to be the best juice during our childhood. 😌 pic.twitter.com/cdelOxGzkN
— cami. (@kamogelo__m) November 9, 2017
3. Mxit
No matter where you as a millennial are from in South Africa, you will know the beauty/ curse of Mxit. Basically, the shit version of WhatsApp, 2C airtime per minute was always worth it to talk bull with JoeBanker and change your status to “In Love”. Every millennial in SA has done two things in their life: Have a Mxit relationship and be greeted by someone typing “Awe” (Pronounced ahhh where!) as their opening line.
Do we miss it? Not a chance, but we miss the banter and ridiculous “skins” you could buy…
"I love you staxx"- a mXit proverb
— Tumi (@Chadiba_TM) December 6, 2017
2. YoTv and KTV binge-watching on weekends and after school
Yes, we know these were the “rival” kids shows on different channels but your eyes are correct in recognising the two in the above picture. Sade from YoTv and Roxy from KTV have remained friends all these years and even attended each other’s weddings.
From watching the ridiculous games to entering the silly competitions, tons of SA kids wished they could make it to the audience of one of these shows. The more outgoing ones dreamt of being a presenter. Just imagine it, being famous on TV long before the era of social media.
1.Dub
Sticking with kids TV to end off here, SA millennials will tell you how they have spent hours upon hours listening to this funny green alien as he talks between TV shows. While YoTv was rocking SABC 1, Dub and his friend Codi were the kings during SABC 2’s “Tube” kids slot. From Dragon Ball Z to the multiple other cheap shows imported from Asia, us kids were glued to the screen for those few hours.
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We will leave you with the reminder of Dub signing off by walking down that painfully long brick road. Every few metres he would turn and wave back at the camera saying “Bye bye” in that bizarre Dub voice.
As South African millennials, we may have our differences, but one thing is bladdy clear. We all miss the simplicities of coming home and watching our friends Dub, Roxy and Sade…
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