On virtuality and the aesthetics of spectacle: Nationalist imaginations of Mthwakazi and its passions of semblance

Abstract

ABSTRACTSocial networking and the individuated privacy of the virtual space have emerged as new forms of communicative platforms, conflating social identities and free speech for most subaltern communities. While it is accepted that the notion of social networking has always existed as part of oramedia (orality) within most African communities, it has gained more positive value from the grapevine as a notch of communication, while current trends in communication, coupled with the rise of new media, have brought normative and pragmatic values to the latter-day communication culture. One social networking group from Matebeleland (a region of historical complexities in Zimbabwe), ‘The Forum’, will be used as a case study to show how the virtual sphere has revolutionised the Habermasian public sphere. New social networking sites enable participants to gather and connect through ‘Internet portals’. We posit that these different fora define the extent to which engagement and free speech are practised, leading to changes in people’s world views. Online fora now range from different Facebook and Whatsapp groups, such as Inhlamba Zesintu, Bring Back Bulawayo, Luveve Ikasi Lami, Abammeli Mthwakazi, Not-Everyone-is-Zimbabwean and Thina AbaMpofu, to websites like iNkundla.net, YouTube and other vibrant platforms created through mailing lists and listserv, such as the Forum.