The hashtag Konka has been at the top of the South Africa trends list for over 24 hours now.
If you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed how over the past few weeks Konka has been trending at or close to the top every Monday and Tuesday.
So what is Konka and why does it keep appearing on our timelines?
Konka Soweto is a restaurant and nightclub in Pimville, Soweto. The establishment, which was revamped and rebranded from the old Icon Soweto nightclub earlier this year, seems to be owned by the entrepreneur who owns another Soweto hangout spot, Moja Cafe.
Over the past few weeks, several of the country’s biggest artists have performed at Konka, including headline performances from the likes of AKA, Riky Rick, DJ Maphorisa, TKZee, DBN Gogo and Black Motion.
A few weeks ago, as the lockdown restrictions started to be eased, videos began to emerge online of high-end sports cars parked outside the establishment, and bottles upon bottles of expensive Champagne being ordered by patrons inside.
In one viral video, a table was seen receiving 16 bottles of the exclusive Champagne brand Armand de Brignac (popularly known as Ace of Spades).
“16 Ace of Spades just ordered at KONKA! LOL!” wrote @LindaMoeketsi in a viral Tweet.
16 Ace of Spades just ordered at KONKA! LOL! pic.twitter.com/iitr09IKLu
— Linda Moeketsi (@LindaMoeketsi) October 3, 2021
This extravagant spending has sparked an ongoing debate about where all this money is coming from, especially during a pandemic.
While many Twitter users have hit out at the reckless spending at the establishment and attributed it to money laundering, Konka public relations manager Linda Moeketsi hit back.
“The speculations on social media are disheartening as they have never been made for non-black-owned establishments who have been operating in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg for over 20 years. Black success should be celebrated and not questioned, and the most disappointing thing about it all is that it is always questioned by our fellow black brothers and sisters.”
Below are some of the tweets:
@chicks_neo pointed out: “Konka was invaded izolo. Big dawgs did their thing.”
Konka was invaded izolo
— hennessy cartel (@chicks_neo) October 4, 2021
Big dawgs did their thing pic.twitter.com/en1BUtnQXv
@FHEDZANI5 added: “If ANC were given 65million to build K⭕️NKA 😂😂😂. #phori #konka”
If ANC were given 65million to build K⭕️NKA 😂😂😂#phori #konka pic.twitter.com/zME3ZVl4R4
— VENDA (VS) SUSPEQT (@FHEDZANI5) October 11, 2021
Another user @phalanndwa6, shared an interesting perspective via a screenshot.
https://twitter.com/phalanndwa6/status/1447493685348798465?t=6t2RnqmIr9m8ihCLlmzX4A&s=19@Syk_AvE shared a different view, posting, “I once tweeted this rubbish. I changed my mind. I need that #Konka level type money & lifestyle 😭😭🙏”
I once tweeted this rubbish. I changed my mind. I need that #Konka level type money & lifestyle 😭😭🙏 pic.twitter.com/AvZj37Rbzs
— Different🇿🇦 (@Syk_AvE) October 11, 2021
@DJ_KAYGEE_SA03 tweeted: “Is there a parking for VW Drivers e'Konka Vele?”
Is there a parking for VW Drivers e'Konka Vele?#konka pic.twitter.com/BXsfcusOYH
— DJ KAYGEE SA03 • ® (@DJ_KAYGEE_SA03) October 10, 2021
@lungile_t shared a light-hearted meme: “Cockroaches found at #konka 😬”
@ThisIsColbert shared a snippet from the Podcast and Chill podcast: “#podcastandchill is back with another fire episode ❤️
“Have you ever been to #Konka broer?... Apparently you can't buy beer, they don't sell beer, is ONLY bottles. MacG tells Sol and Ghost Lady 😃 #FamilyMeeting | Pitso | Kaizer Chiefs”
#podcastandchill is back with another fire episode ❤️
— YaseB 🇸🇿 (@ThisIsColbert) October 11, 2021
"Have you ever been to #Konka broer?... Apparently you can't buy beer, they don't sell beer, is ONLY bottles"
MacG tells Sol and Ghost Lady 😃#FamilyMeeting | Pitso | Kaizer Chiefs pic.twitter.com/RcxLflSWYS