JBs FACEBOOK ACCOUNT, DEMOCRACY AND IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS
BY:ISAAC CHIKWERE KASENJERE
On 19 April 2013 an article titled “On JBs Facebook account, Democracy” by Bonnie Kalindo. The author is urging the facebook account holder to discontinue the use of this beautiful byproduct of technology with petty, baseless reasons of running away from embarrassment due to negativity of comments, lack of respect of office of president and mere ego of wearing the cap of high office. Leaders are firstly ordinary before they swear to lead people to the extraordinary .The author should know that Facebook has become a tool to reach constituents in a quiet but innonative way.It is through facebook that politicians let alone leaders like the President can promote their policies and enhence political cohesiveness towards development if they choose that direction in a cost-effective manner than drive the whole motorcade round town.The worlds powerful leaders for example,Barack Obama used tweeter and facebook social platforms towards his re-election last year, South african DA leader Hellen Zilla has a tweeter account ,The Presidency of South Africa to mention a few.Its a time that this generation embraces a sense of belonging to a certain class or group of people that believe in what they believe and this is what Africa is known for.We may no longer ring abell to physically congregate where distance with our leaders exist, technology is here to make life easy.Blogs,twitter,Pinterest ,whatsup is another way of meeting under the popular Kachere tree, another way of sharing stories around legendary fireplace.This is what Malawi needs infact, it is conveniently designed to solve the constraint of time.I should remind the esteemed writer that long ago people used to walk long distances to deliver letters, messages and that was replaced by other systems of telecommunications like cellphones and courier services. Facebook offers the impression of direct contact with a leader and offer the ability to tell followers and those on the opposing sides what a leader is doing on a policy , development and other pertinent issues.If you cannot meet all ,try to meet a few that’s my adage if I were given that previledge to coin one.Leaders of this generation should be the first ones to set the trend that a nation needs.
The author of the article mist a point or two in his well scripted article.Firstly in a democractic arena developed or developing country,across euro-zone or here in Afrioca,one is entitled to their views regardless of what its addressing on the ground.Every citizen has a perspective of issues hence we are different human beings with different names,ideas,ambitions and visions.Glass is always half full or half empty In this article iam not encouraging foul language or castigation of our publice leaders.I am only emphasizing the reality that comes with avoiding criticism is refusing growth in any social competition and being man of the people as far as leadership is concerned .Therefore in this 21st century where a country like Malawi embraced democracy more than a decade ago. Democarcy being a package come with values of freedom of expression at the centre of it among others. What the president has done is one step to the right direction and indeed close the gap as he put it between herself and the people of Malawi.One wonders why on earth should in this article by the reputable author who identifies himself as an actor ,comedian,teacher,social activist and campaign ambassador decampaigning against significant strides that aim at reaching out to people other than political rallies .J.Bs Facebook page has almost 46,414 “likes “ still clicking I hope .This translate to me that a good part of Malawians through friends of their friends are able to know issues that their politician and leader is pursuing.
It is interesting to note that the author is worried with the childish comments on this first citizens wall.Therefore the article should have addressed is how our politicians or JB Should deal with negative comments by members of the Facebook family. Politicians should soberly use social media as an indicator of the representation of the support that emanates from the masses and a platform to woo those on the opposing side to like their policies and ideas .This I bet is one way of getting one vote at a time towards 2014.There are a number of ways to deal with irritating comments in the cyberworld:one can ignore,deflect to a more positive discussion and react or respond in real time.It is obvious that the so called childish comments are coming from members of other political parties,they do not care to show where they belong after or before they damp their stinking graffiti on “J.Bs wall” or other public figures.Whether JBs has or has no time out of her diarised rallies and appointment to view the reactions matters less. What is important is how well and effective it is updated and continuous response would let the negativity die down because some of these people are annoyed to read what they have watched on Television and re-read same news in the name of status update on Facebook. The failure of politician’s social networks is the inability to make these accounts have life.Facebook is not a news paper or where the process of communication remains incomplete for a significant length of time. I could have agreed more if the author spelt out that these accounts make their owners speak to themselves and not the people they like and follow them.You will note that this account of JB just like that of the youthful UDF president Atupele Muluzi its status after the other without response and open for interaction.This platform can build the followership by starting small in responding to the selected few constructive criticism.It should be understood that the brand that our politicians want to be or portray does not only lie in the hands of loyalists but also critics.I therefore applaud JB for being a leader that she is and using facebook to give Malawians what they need to know about there leader,all the youth and old can say big up JB! In the name of technology.
