Is #ZumaMustFall a fad, like we have seen with many others?
The outcry for this social media campaign was sparked by the recent changes in the cabinet. South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma appointed former mayor David Van Rooyen to replace Nhlanhla Nene as Finance Minister on 9 December 2015, then 4 days later replaced him with former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan; seemingly under pressure from some quarters of the business, the tripartite alliance and some of his own comrades in the ANC. Citizens were infuriated by this flip flop and took their frustrations to online platforms and the streets, galvanised under #ZumaMustFall.
#ZumaMustFall Facebook page has 11696 likes. This platform allows South Africans to speak out about corruption and their dissatisfaction with the government. Marches were also conducted on 16 December – the day of Reconciliation – as part of the #ZumaMustFall campaign. This was to show the growing discontent the people of South Africa feel towards Jacob Zuma’s leadership. According to reports, over 6000 people attended the marches. In addition, an online petition was circulated in support of #ZumaMustFall campaign which had 104315 signatures.
With #ZumaMustFall gaining momentum, can #SocialClout effect political change in SA? Watch https://t.co/6p4xRAymba pic.twitter.com/j1FzmYclpZ
— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) December 21, 2015
A recent example of a similar campaign would be #FeesMustFall. University students were not happy with their fees being increased by 10% in 2016. They demanded that there be no increment, and further demanded free education. Government agreed to no fee increment; and are now discussing the latter demand.
Areas such as Cape Town, Free State and parts of Gauteng are already pro DA and they are a small number compared to the ANC. This party can easily reach the masses including people in rural areas who don’t have access to the internet. They also have loyal supporters more especially the elderly citizens, who are difficult to convince regarding who they should or shouldn’t support.
It is safe to predict that the #ZumaMustFall campaign will achieve its goals. Although I think that the campaign should not resort to marching for Zuma to resign but they must tell people not to vote for him (and his party) in the next coming elections. The youth of South Africa have been active in protests and have been successful, it is time for them to take initiative in this campaign and change the path of where the country is directed.
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