Although Zimbabweans in Grahamstown couldn’t vote in their country’s parliamentary and presidential elections on Wednesday, many of them found other ways to show support for their countrymen.
Although Zimbabweans in Grahamstown couldn’t vote in their country’s parliamentary and presidential elections on Wednesday, many of them found other ways to show support for their countrymen.
Besides keeping a close eye on social networks for news, students in the Rhodes University Zimbabwean Society dressed in national paraphernalia and handed out free doughnuts on campus.
This was to raise awareness about the elections, they said, and strengthen bonds with fellow students.
Society spokesperson Mudiwa Gavaza said, "We are trying to promote unity among Zimbabweans, while also bringing attention to the current elections."
They did this in true Rhodent style with a party that took place at Prime on Friday 2 August.
"We will promote unity in the best way we know how, by partying together, all nationalities and races are invited," Gavaza said.
"A lot of my country’s youth choose to study abroad, so we are all taking to the social networks to show support for our country."
Zimbabweans make up the largest group of foreign international students at Rhodes. Rhodes lecturer Amon Magadza, from Zimbabwe, said he would find it difficult to work this week as he’s anxious about the election outcome.
Student Nellia Kupemba also says she’s on edge, "because my family is there and naturally I am worried about their well-being".
Useful for more than just monitoring what’s going on in our neighbouring country, social networks have played a substantial role in the election campaign itself this year.
A Facebook page called Baba Jukwa has made waves, attracting over 300 000 likes since it was started in March.
The page, initiated by unknown activists, has been spilling alleged government secrets while also campaigning for opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
On Tuesday 89-year-old Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, vowed to step down if he loses the election.
