SA's most-watched YouTube videos in 2021

The country’s Top Ten trending videos on YouTube this year reflect the growing popularity of original content produced by South African creators on the platform with Ramscomics, Lasizwe Dambuza, MacG, Noluthando Zungu and MDM Sketch Comedy, all dominating this category.

The top trending videos on YouTube for 2021 are based on a range of factors that determine how, beyond just viewership. For example, YouTube also considers engagement while also looking at signals like shares and likes. YouTube’s 2021 Top Ten lists bring together the biggest videos in South Africa from creators, personalities and mainstream media with a presence on YouTube.

Local favourites topping the list include #YouTubeBlack Voices class of 2021 creator Lasizwe Dambuza, and former radio show host turned podcaster, MacG. In a year when Amapiano music took the world by storm, a video featuring a group of Amapiano dancers ranked second in the country, with almost six million views. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation, the funeral service for local musician Killer Kau and Prince Harry and Meghan’s tell-all interview with Oprah were among the news items that had South Africans clicking 'play'.

Top trending videos in South Africa

In addition to the top trending videos list, YouTube South Africa has also released:

• The Top Trending Music video list - topped by Cassper Nyovest’s Siyathandana music video
• The Breakout Creators list - topped by Tsoanieskits
• The Top Creators list - topped by MrBeast
• The Shorts Creator list - topped by Zhong

For a full breakdown of YouTube’s 2021 Top Ten lists, please go here.