This study sought to explore how the Fourth Industrial Revolution tools or platforms such as digital media technology, social media, and the internet are employed to publicise indigenous language posters for political election campaigns in South Africa. The study was underpinned by a theory of communication in political campaigns to ascertain the importance of communication or linguistic features in political campaign posters. A phenomenological qualitative research method and exploratory research design were employed to address the research problem and objectives of the study. Furthermore, a semi-structured interview was used to collect data from 10 purposively selected respondents. The collected data were thematically analysed to identify, describe, and explain the major themes and sub-themes that emerged. The study established that the previously disadvantaged and marginalised South African indigenous languages were seriously underutilised for political election campaign posters on social media platforms by various South African political organisations. Therefore, the article recommends that, in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, for political parties to participate in the development, preservation, digitalisation, and promotion of these indigenous languages, they should strive to use and post on social media accounts political election campaign posters that are written in the various South African indigenous languages.

This chapter explores the contemporary trends and debates on the use of digital media for diplomatic services and practices in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR, in the global south. The chapter emphases how digital diplomacy industrialized and evolved to be predominant during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic as known as the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter has been strengthened by the practice theory for digital diplomacy transformations. Most prominently, the chapter establishes that digital media platforms played a vital role in diplomatic relations practices for the development and social change in the global south countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the chapter suggests strategic solutions to prevent digital diplomacy challenges and highlights the future of digital diplomatic practices in the global south.

The study sought to investigate whether digital media endorsement influences COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Vhembe District-based women in South Africa. As conceptual frameworks, the study relied on digital media endorsement and vaccination hesitancy. A qualitative research method and exploratory research design were employed to better explore women’s views and perceptions on how digital media might influence COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the Global South. In this study, fifteen women participants aged between 20 and 45 were purposively selected to give their views and experiences concerning the identified lacuna. Data solicited through an in-depth structured interview schedule with open-ended questions were processed and analysed using a qualitative thematic analysis technique to develop pertinent themes and sub-themes. The study established that access to digital media platforms substantially endorsed COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and uncertainty among most women in the Vhembe District of South Africa. This study further revealed that most women in the Vhembe District were vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, a few were hesitant and would somehow use digital media endorsements to decide whether to go for vaccination or not. It was further established that digital media endorsements through celebrities, public figures, and influential people played a significant role in most women accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. The results show how digital media endorsement affects women’s perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccination.

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This chapter explores students' experiences in the use of online learning management systems (LMS) and advanced digital media technology to enhance learning skills in historically disadvantaged universities in South Africa. A qualitative research design was used to highlight how digital transformation could improve or enhance the student's learning experience and make an effective contribution to an effective learning culture, especially in historically disadvantaged higher education institutions in the Global South. In this chapter, a total number of 20 honours students from the University of Venda in South Africa were purposively selected to voice their views, opinions, and experiences with online learning and the use of digital technology for learning purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter established that online learning management systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, and digital media technology played a vital role to enhance student's learning experience at South African rural universities during the COVID-19 pandemic.