ZIMBABWE NETZWERK e.V.

#Hashtag activism - will it make a difference in Zimbabwe?

Ian Scoones writes in Zimbabweland: " Over the last few months a new type of politics has been brewing in Zimbabwe. Fed up with the mainstream parties, people have been taking to social media to express their demands. The most prominent has been the #ThisFlag movement, adopting the national flag as the symbol to rally around. Led by a pastor â€“ Evan Mawarire â€“ it has generated massive interest, both in Zimbabwe and in the diaspora, and resulted in a successful stay-away in early July. Other movements, linked by social media, include: Occupy Africa Unity Square and Tajamuka/Sesjikile, as well as numerous bloggers, Twitter commentators, Youtube channels and Facebook accounts. Will this make a difference? ...".