Social media continues its increasingly phenomenal role in Zimbabwean
consciousness. Particularly where it is used to navigate the linkages between
the Zimbabwean Diaspora and the growing number of its users in Zimbabwe.
While initially it was intended for communication purposes,
it is increasingly being used for entertainment and even the regular jocular sparring
by a number of middle aged and young Zimbabweans.
The latest such trend has been the most times humorous ‘Zvinhu Zvirikufaya’
social media platform. It is one that arguably takes its cue from the original ‘Kuripwa Kugara’ video done by a character called ‘Baba Tinsely’
It has caught on back home largely because of what local mobile
phone companies have called ‘social media bundles’ for Facebook and Whatsapp.
What now obtains however is the seeming permanency of new/social media as a communication/ interaction platform
between the Diaspora and those living at home in Zimbabwe. It’s largely humorous but it also indicates
or confirms an emerging shared value
system across rivers and oceans by Zimbabweans.
It remains a value system that is largely materialistic, laced with humour and as
a result thereof, flaunted in pursuit of ‘recognition’.
From what I have seen (thanks to bundles) it is the Diaspora
that appears more keen on demonstrating how its living and working conditions are comparatively
better to those at home, in good jest.
Even if most of the videos are about food and cars. The fewer home country based video responses
have been in part defensive of the current living conditions or more to
ridicule those that are claiming a life that may at times appear to be
contrived.
Either way, it is evident that the common thread from both
sides (Diaspora and Local) is the pursuit of the ‘good life.’ Even the definitions of the latter appear to
be similar. That is to say, ‘the good life’ consists of lots of food,
big/expensive cars, occasionally nice houses/flats and fancy computer or mobile
telephony gadgets.
What is however important to analyse further is the
indispensability of the relationship between the Diaspora and local citizens
where and when it comes to the consciousness of an increasingly young
Zimbabwean population.
While this relationship had initially taken on a particular
economic form through remittances (US$1,4 billion in the last year), social
media is augmenting its organic status.
The humour and material well-being comparisons, even
where they appear contrived on new media applications, remain poignant
reflectors as to how home and the Diaspora increasingly have a lot in common.
These interactions while previously having been largely
political, are now more grounded in individuals demonstrating lifestyles or at
least their preferred ones.
In both, there is the intention to live a good life largely informed by
materialism.
However it cannot escape the mind that perhaps the era of
the Diaspora being a quick, easy and rosier life option is dissipating for
varying reasons. Not least of which is the fact that it is getting harder for younger
Zimbabweans to be able to get Visas or even cross borders illegally. Just as much as it gets harder for our Diaspora to be able to make enough income
to sustain to the same levels of the Zimbabwe dollar periods, families at home
and abroad.
I am sure for the young Diaspora and the young locally based
Zimbabweans, there is an acceptance, despite the good humour, of the
permanence of the phrases ‘handidzokiko’ or ‘hatiuyiko’ respectively. Movements from home to the Diaspora are much
harder and the same is true for movements from the Diaspora to home.
After the laughter however is the serious question of engaging
the Diaspora and the Local on a much more structured way forward as to how to
improve the interaction of both groups.
It would be a way forward less enamoured to materialism but to engaging on
broader policy issues which would include less politicised approaches to dual
citizenship, sharing of lived experiences, mutually beneficial economic
development issues and trying as far as is possible to keep cultural/social
linkages alive.
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