Madiba tops Obama as chat buddy

2009-05-13 12:20

Cape Town - Nelson Mandela tops Barack Obama as dream chat room buddy for teens.

An international survey conducted by MXit - the global mobile social network and instant messaging giant - reveals that teenagers think it would be "cool" to have South African political icon, Nelson Mandela as a chat buddy on the MXit network.

The poll, conducted amongst 5 000 of MXit's 13 million-plus global users, revealed that 25% of 15 to 24 year old youths would choose Nelson Mandela as their top person to chat to in a mobile social network environment, while US president Barack Obama came in at a close second with 17% of the votes.

International singing sensation Lady Gaga emerged the clear leader in the entertainment stakes, with 23% of users saying that they would love to have her as a "friend" and chat to her in a cellphone chat room.

"The survey illuminated some very interesting mobile chat behavioural patterns," says Juan du Toit, MXit's international marketing manager.

"Respected political figures like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama seem to have struck the right chord with teenagers.

"These figures are increasingly being seen as 'cool'. While most teens would prefer to have Madiba (Nelson Mandela) as a chat buddy, about 18% said they would love to have Miley Cirus in their list of contacts while only 17% think it's cool to have their best friend as part of their contacts."

- News24