Exploring mobile phone practices in social movements in South Africa – the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign

Abstract

Mobile phones have developed explosively in Africa, with South Africa having one of the highest mobile phone penetrations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mobile phones have introduced a set of new communicative and cultural practices. Innovative pricing models in Africa, such as 'pay-as-you go' and 'please call me' have helped to make mobile phones a part of the lives of many who are otherwise disconnected. Social justice movements in South Africa, often marginalized by mainstream communication systems, are increasingly using mobile phones to coordinate actions, mobilize and create networks despite the fact that most of these movements have their origins among deprived communities. This article analyses how the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign appropriates mobile phones and the impact of this appropriation on its roles and collective identities. In addition, the article examines how the Western Cape AntiEviction Campaign has (re)appropriated and re-shaped the mobile phone to amplify traditional methods of mobilization; leading to the creation of what Henry Jenkins (2006) has called 'convergence culture'. Drawing on social construction of technology and domestication theories, the article argues that mobile phones have not replaced traditional ways of mobilization, but have amplified them. In this regard, the use of both traditional mobilization tools and mobile phones strengthen mobilization activities and give new meaning to the mobile phone.

The Role Of Mobile Phones In The Development Of Social Capital Among Refugees In South Africa

“…Originally designed to enable communication and information access anytime and anywhere (Chiumbu, 2012), mobile phones are increasingly being regarded as a potent tool for addressing social and economic development in developing countries (Hyde-Clarke, 2013;Chiumbu, 2012). In South Africa, the introduction and growth of mobile phone services have been spectacularly successful, with a market penetration of over 100% (North et al, 2014).…”

“…Mobile technologies have opened up new dimensions in social interaction (Chiumbu, 2012;Mehta et al, 2011) Apart from creating new sources of income and employment, mobile phones provide vital links between refugee populations and their families, and provide a tool to enable them to become self-sustainable (Hyde-Clarke, 2013;Diminescu et al, 2009). Although smart phones and pads have impacted social networks (Chang et al, 2011), refugees tend to have simpler, more cost effective phones (Leung, 2010).…”

“…Although smart phones and pads have impacted social networks (Chang et al, 2011), refugees tend to have simpler, more cost effective phones (Leung, 2010). The key impact of the use of mobile phones is the improvement of social links or network ties (Chiumbu, 2012;Elliott and Yusuf, 2014) thereby enhancing social capital.…”

Your Phone Has Internet - Why Are You at a Library PC? Re-imagining Public Access in the Mobile Internet Era

“…We join other recent HCI papers to explore communicative ecologies and repertoires in resource constrained settings [34,35]. Communicative ecologies involve interactions among technologies, sociality, and discourse [36,37]. Information or cultural ecologies are characterized by 'hybrid' interactions of physical and digital [8,38].…”

Feminist articulations, social literacies, and ubiquitous mobile technology use in Kenya

“…Mobile phone subscriptions in Kenya have increased dramatically over the past decade with over 60% of the population having access to a mobile phone (Aker and Mbiti, 2010). Furthermore, as Chiumbu (2012) reminds us, technology has instrumental use, so perhaps it would be advantageous to turn to education and technology’s educational capacities by capitalizing on users’ capacity to utilize technology and shape it to work toward their needs as discussed above in terms of M-Pesa and texting in Kenya.…”