The Virtual Parallax

Abstract

Social networking sites and the individuated privacy of the virtual space have emerged as new forms of conflating social identities and free speech for most subaltern communities. While it is clearly accepted that the notion of social networking within most African communities has always existed as part of oramedia (orality) and has gained traction by exploiting the grapevine as a notch of communication, current communication trends, coupled with the rise of new media have brought normative and pragmatic values in the latter-day communication culture. A case study of the “Forum,” a social network from Matebeleland, Zimbabwe, is used to show how the virtual sphere has revolutionised the Habermasian public sphere. A new wave of social networking sites has emerged in which participants gather through “Internet portals” and get connected through different forms of online fora. The extent of engagement and the free speech practiced therein as part of the apparent change of people's worldviews form the basis of this chapter. Subalternised groups like the people of Matebeleland from Zimbabwe, whose sensitive discourses have been denied spaces in the local public sphere, have found a voice in social networks. Different online fora exist, and they include Facebook groups such as Inhlamba Zesintu, Luveve Ikasi Lami, Abammeli Mthwakazi, Thina AbaMpofu, etc., and Websites like iNkundla.net, Youtube, and mailing lists and listservs, such as the Forum.