Drive 959 explores South Africa’s Top Searches in 2025, which include AI, Bargains, and Politics.
Zuko Komisa

Google’s “Year in Search 2025” for South Africa reveals a population increasingly focused on technology, value, and current affairs, highlighting Mzansi in rapid transition.
The search trends paint a picture of public curiosity driven by three main areas:
- Tech & The Economy: The search for AI surged dramatically, with terms like “Google Gemini” and “Chat GPT free” showing technology is now integrated into daily life.
- Politics & Social Affairs: High-profile political figures and corruption allegations, such as those involving General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, dominated national curiosity.
- Culture & Entertainment: The appetite for local and global entertainment was strong. “How to vote on Big Brother” was the top “How to” query, while “online gambling” and trending local music and recipes like “pickled fish” captured significant attention.
In essence, 2025 was the year South Africans went online to learn, save, and debate in a world increasingly shaped by AI. Drive 959 unpacked some of the striking searches in the year it was.
Listen to the full conversation here:
Top sporting trends
- Diogo Jota
- Rugby Championship table
- Women Rugby World Cup
- World Athletics Championships
- FIFA Club World Cup
Top trending ‘how to’ searches
- How to vote on Big Brother
- How to log in Hollywoodbets
- How to apply for SAPS online
- When is Sassa payment for February 2025
- How to qualify for Club World Cup
Top 10 artist searches
- Scotts Maphuma
- Winnie Khumalo
- Naledi Aphiwe
- Emtee
- Nkeshemba
Top searched losses
- Winnie Khumalo
- Gene Hackman
- David Mabuza
- Diogo Jota
- Presley Chweneyagae
Top searches overall
- Temu
- General Mkhwanazi
- Earth Day
- Chat GPT free
- Google Gemini
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