The most Googled topics in South Africa for 2024 revealed

The disappearance of Joshlin Smith was one of South Africa's most Googled stories by South Africans in 2024.

The disappearance of Joshlin Smith was one of South Africa's most Googled stories by South Africans in 2024.

Published Dec 13, 2024

Share

In 2024, South Africans' most Googled topics include Joshlin Smith, Dricus du Plessis, the IEC and Tyla.

Overall, the top 10 most searched-for terms on Google from South Africa in 2024 show that people were interested in news, sports, politics, and public figures who died.

IOL reporter Robin-Lee Franke broke the story on Joshlin Smith and travelled to Saldanha Bay to help in the search for the missing 6-year-old. Her story coverage led to her receiving the “Vodacom Journalist of the Year” award in the “Breaking News” category.

When asked what made her follow the story, Franke said; “This story just happened to come up in my email, I did the initial missing person’s story from what SAPS sent out, but something didn’t feel right about this story, and I had to follow up. 

“Joshlin’s green eyes felt as if she were looking so deeply into my soul. A few days later, when there was still no word of her return, I knew my gut feeling was right”. 

Here are the top news events, movies, music, sports, and deaths that South Africa searched for in 2024.

News:

  • Joshlin Smith
  • US Elections
  • George Building collapse
  • Dricus du Plessis fight
  • Two-Pot system
  • ANC coalition
  • Eastern Cape floods
  • Peanut butter recalled

South Africans who died in 2024:

  • Mpho Sebeng
  • Pravin Gordhan
  • Connie Chiume
  • Tito Mboweni
  • Zanele Mbokazi
  • Markus Jooste
  • Aletta Bezuidenhout
  • Dudu Myeni
  • Solly Mohol

Athletes:

  • Dricus du Plessis
  • Mike Tyson
  • Jake Paul
  • Lamine Yamal
  • Ronwen Williams
  • Akani Simbine
  • Nico Williams
  • Christian Horner
  • Riyad Mahrez
  • Rhulani Mokwena
  • Tatjana Smith.

Movies:

  • Disney's Inside Out 2
  • Bad Boys 4
  • Fool Me Once
  • Movie Box
  • Deadpool
  • Damsel
  • Divorce in Black
  • Shogun
  • Beekeeper
  • Road House

TV shows:

  • Baby Reindeer
  • Griselda Blanco
  • Beauty in Black
  • Menendez brothers
  • The Crow
  • House of the Dragon 
  • Big Brother

Music:

  • Malome Vector
  • Shebeshxt
  • Chris Brown
  • Tyla
  • P Diddy
  • Tshwala Bami
  • Kabza Chant
  • Donald
  • Imithandazo
  • Ntate Stunna.

Sport:

  • AFCON
  • Euro 2024
  • ICC Men's T20 World Cup
  • Bafana Bafana
  • Olympics
  • Betway Premiership
  • COPA America
  • Australian Open 2024
  • Cape Verde
  • Imane Khelif 

IOL News