AFTER events of a couple of weeks ago, a headline on your paper that read “Taking the world by storm” caught my eye.
As I read the article I realised that it had nothing to do with the headline and/or the first two paragraphs of the article, but rather what is said about the body politic in our country.
Instead of alluding to the role of social networks like facebook and twitter in advancing democratic norms and values, like in Mozambique late last year (protesters were organised via cellphones), recently in Tunisia and Egypt and less recently protest against vote rigging in Iran, the contributor dwells on the factionalist, resource based politics to get positions of power, jobs and discredited floors crossing advanced by the ANC in the not too distant past.
Instead we are fed what I regard as useless information on Cope and its problems.
All organisations in South Africa are embroiled in factionalist politics which are dangerous in our young democracy.
Social networks were used at the Polokwana conference of the ANC as delegates posted results and sms-ed same to their friends.
The topic is excellent and further input is required to advance the role of mass media, including social networks in democratising society.
Monwabisi Lolwana
