By Benjamin Sidori, Nairobi, Kenya
For more than a century, the social cycle has had waves of highs and lows in terms of change and social development. Non Governmental Organizations, Civil Societies and individuals have always confronted the question of how effective their struggles would be and what tools would best work for them to promote change both locally and globally. The struggles have revolved around lobby and Advocacy on; Human Rights, Leadership and Democracy, governance, health and environment and et cetera.
The stakeholders have always used different approaches which have, in one way or another, worked to their advantages. Some have used newsletters and magazines, t-shirts, printed caps, posters, TV and Radio. But still Social Networks stands out. The use of Facebook, Twitter, BlogSpot and even mobile phones has proven to be resourceful in terms of participation.
Transforming the world
A lot of people in Africa have come to embrace and appreciate new technology and adjusted to it. People use computers for both personal communication and even in their jobs. The three platforms; Facebook, Twitter and BlogSpot are mostly used by the young people, who form a bigger percentage of the population, especially in many developing countries. They have to be engaged in whatever means to bring change and the platforms create a good avenue for that. As Paulo Freire, A Latin American Educator said, ‘a people speaking their own words, naming the world…..are steps towards transforming that world.’
Whole world in seconds
However, technology has also come with its cons and a major one being spreading and accessing pornography. This can be converted to advocacy, posting messages that communicate change and policy formulation. The social networks can reach out to the whole of Africa and world in seconds.
For example, the usage of social media has been extensive as one Egyptian activist succinctly tweeted during the protests there "We use Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to coordinate, and YouTube to tell the world. Wael Ghonim was the first contributor to spark the Egypt revolution when he created a Facebook page dedicated to Saeed, an Egyptian business man that was beaten to death by police in June 2010. It is believed that this was in retaliation to a video he posted showing Egyptian police sharing the spoils of a drug bust. The Facebook page blew up to over 400,000 followers, creating an online arena where protestors and that discontent with the government could gather, vent, and organize. (http://www.revolution-in-Egypt.com)
Accessible and time saving
In this regard, social networks have proved to reach the targeted audience and even beyond. African countries are still struggling to reclaim or restore the economic, social and cultural rights and using the social networks can speed up the process. Africa as a continent faces crisis from food to climate and even economic constraint. Social media can be a tool to mobilize resources and nations, networking and even voice out the development agenda. Most organizations source for funds through social media and they also use it for Monitoring and evaluation and reporting. Use of pictures and small statements gives a clear indication of the past and present social situations. The social network is an advantage because it’s easily accessible, time saving and reaches a wider audience, unlike TV, Radio and Print media. Discussions can be initiated and people get a chance to give opinions and propose options and other contributions from wherever they are without limitations. Africa should optimistically welcome social media as a major tool for social change and with this; the social injustices will be a ‘subject of the past.’
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