Mashaba's IsiZulu sparks frenzy

Cape Town - Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba refused to do his pre-match conference in English and opted to do it in IsiZulu.

Read: Shakes reveals starting XI for Algeria encounter

According to City Press, Mashaba did a like-for-like treatment as South African journalists were mistreated during Algeria’s press conference after the conference was done in French and Arabic.

“This is the Africa Cup of Nations and I speak the language I understand,” Mashaba said.

Reports suggest that proceedings got out of hand after other journalists complained but the Bafana coach continued to do his press conference in his mother language.

The incident sparked quite an uproar on social media as South Africans all over the country and journalists backed Mashaba for his bravery.

Here are Tweets from the public and media following Mashaba's actions:  

Big up to Shakes Mashaba for addressing the press conference in isizulu in solidarity with SA journos

— Timothy Molobi (@TimSpiritMolobi) January 18, 2015

Ha! Afcon at its best! RT @jontymark: These were two of the most ridiculous press conferences I have ever attended. Total chaos. #AFCON2015

— Nazli Hamilton (@NazliHamilton) January 18, 2015

Bra Shakes did his interview in Zulu after the SA journos were snubbed by the Algerian coach and captain, who only spoke in French! #legend

— John Goliath (@JohnGoliath82) January 18, 2015

Haven't even covered a match yet and there has been so much drama on and off the field here in Mongomo... #AFCON2015 #JohnAtAfcon

— John Goliath (@JohnGoliath82) January 18, 2015

The public loved that Shakes stood up for his fellow countrymen. 

@TwadioShow So proud of Shakes Mashaba,heard that he addressed the presser in isiZulu......I'm a Xhosa and I'm so into indigenous languages

— Simbongile Mpayipeli (@SimbongileM) January 19, 2015

I hear that our coach Shakes Mashaba addressed a press conference in isiZulu in Equatorial Guinea. Mashaba is the man!

— Monwabisi Jimlongo (@Sthathwini) January 18, 2015