Social Media and Political Mobilisation: An Analysis of the July 2016 Zimbabwe Shut Down

This study sought to carry out an analysis of the effects of social media on political mobilization. These were analyzed using the following indicators (i) social media as a communication tool and (ii) the role of social media in political mobilization. The study used a one-day demonstration in Zimbabwe code-named #ZimShutDown2016 as a case study. In the study, a qualitative case study research design was used. Secondary data from online newspaper reports and Social Media Networks was used to analyze the effects of the social media movement in bringing real socio-economic and political change in developing countries such as Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews with five key informants from local universities helped in the analysis and were identified using the purposive sampling technique. Findings from the study revealed that social media is an effective communication tool among citizens. Information is exchanged minute by minute among citizens, and this encourages ‘citizenry journalism.’ As such, social media positively impacts mobilizing the community in bringing real social, political, and economic change. The study, therefore, recommends a more comprehensive survey on the challenges of the social media movement in developing countries such as Zimbabwe.