This book probes the vitality, potentiality and ability of new communication and technological changes to drive online-based civil action across Africa. In a continent booming with mobile innovation and a plethora of social networking sites, the Internet is considered a powerful platform used by pro-democracy activists to negotiate and sometimes push for reform-based political and social changes in Africa. The book discusses and theorizes digital activism within social and geo-political realms, analysing cases such as the #FeesMustFall and #BringBackOurGirls campaigns in South Africa and Nigeria respectively to question the extent to which they have changed the dynamics of digital activism in sub-Saharan Africa. Comparative case study reflections in eight African countries identify and critique digital concepts questioning what impact they have had on the civil society. Cases also explore the African LGBT community as a social movement while discussing opportunities and challenges faced by online activists fighting for LGBT equality. Finally, gender-based activists using digital tools to gain attention and facilitate social changes are also appraised.

One of the first books to focus on Africa and digital activism/democracy

Part I: Political Engagements in Mediated Online Communities.- 1. Dovetailing Desires for Democracy with New ICTS' Potentiality as Potent Platform for Online Activism - Bruce Mutsvairo.- 2. Engaging in polarised society: Social media and political discourse in Ethiopia - Iginio Gagliardone and Matti Pohjonen.- 3. Baba Jukwa and digital repertoires of collective contention in a competitive authoritarian regime: The case of Zimbabwe - Admire Mare.- 4. Digital Activism in Uganda - Monica B Chibita.- 5. Citizen Journalism, Cyber-activism, and 'crowdsourcing': Discussing the sacking of Sierra Leone's vice president Sam Sumana on Face book and Twitter - Ibrahim Seaga Shaw and Di Luo.- Part II: Digital Transformations: Civic Activism in the Africa Blogsphere.- 6. Engaged online: The Youth, Social Media and Civic Engagement in Kenya - Samuel Kamau.- 7. Engaged Chadian artist's digital itinerary towards political and civic success: Pitfalls of oppression - Mirjam de Bruijn and Didier Lalaye.- 8. Twitter and participatory citizenship: #FeesMustFall in South Africa - Tanja Bosch.- 9. Was the #Rhodes Must Fall campaign a lost opportunity for media and civic engagement? - Glenda Daniels.- 10. Civil Society, Civic Discourse and the Negotiation of South African Broadcasting policy - Viola Milton.- Part III: Gender and LGTB Movements Online: Emerging Debates.- 11. Digital Strategies and African LGBTI Organizing - Ashley Currier and Julie Moreau.- 12. A Resilient Unwanted Civil Society: The Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)'s Use of Facebook as An Alternative Public Sphere in a Dominant Homophobic Zimbabwean Society - Nhamo A. Mhiripiri and Bianca S. Moyo.- 13. Blogging, feminism and the politics of participation: The case ofHer Zimbabwe Shepherd Mpofu.- 14. Media Deliberations on land reform and sustainability: A case of Zimbabwean women - Patience Mutopo.- 15. Global activism or Media Spectacle? An Exploration of the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign - Dorothy Njoroge