Zim opposition party used Google Maps

Written by Talia on June 25, 2008 – 12:06 pm -

Morgan TsvangiraiDescription: The abrupt withdrawal of Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai from this Friday’s runoff presidential election essentially handed President Robert Mugabe a victory and left Zimbabwe’s future up in the air. However, given the uphill battle to have a fair election, Tsvangirai’s party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) looked to cyberspace to get the word out about the possibility of a changing political landscape in Zimbabwe.

Tools Being Use: Google Maps

What Did They Do: Tsvangirai’s party used the free software Google Maps to inform MDC supporters about campaign rallies around the country up until Tsvangirai withdrawal, as well as spots where alleged detentions, arrests and beatings have taken place at the hands of ZANU-PF.

“The courageous people of Zimbabwe, of this country, and the people of the MDC have done everything humanly and democratically possible to deliver a new Zimbabwe and new government,” Morgan Tsvangirai said to CNN following his withdrawal.


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Campaign: Zim activists take on run-off election

Written by Talia on May 28, 2008 – 2:14 pm -

Description: In March Zimbabweans went to the polls and, for the first time in their country’s post-independence history, Robert Mugabe lost the presidency while his party, ZANU-PF, lost most seats in parliament. The results, however, are being contested, and a run-off election will be held on June 27. Violence has ensued since the March elections, claiming the lives of over 50 people and forcing nearly 30,000 others to flee their homes. Nonetheless, activists are organizing on the Internet to make sure Mugabe will not return to office.

Tools Being Used: E-cards

What Are They Doing:Anti-Mugabe activist outfit Sokwanele has launched an e-card campaign to get Zimbabweans out to vote next month. Supporters around the world can go to its website, and simply send an e-card of their choice to a potential voter to remind them that democracy and change is a real thing - even in Zimbabwe.

From Sokwanele’s website: “These ecards are designed to help keep the spirit of hope alive in Zimbabwe as we head towards the run-off election. Please use them to send positive message to Zimbabweans and to reassure them everyday that we stand in this together, and people around the world are watching over them. We are not alone.”


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Campaign: “What would you like a free Zimbabwe to look like?”

Written by Mary on April 7, 2008 – 3:17 pm -

Description of Campaign: The outcome of the recent presidential election has still not been announced and while President Robert Mugabe is campaigning in expectation of a run-off election, opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai is asking for international assistance in pressuring Mugabe to step down (source: AP). In this time of political uncertainty, civil society community site Kubatana.net is running a e-mail and SMS campaign to engage ordinary Zimbabweans in their country’s political future.

Digital Activism Tools: e-mail, blog, FrontlineSMS, mobile phones

How These Tools Are Being Used: Kubatana sent out a text message to their mobile contact list:

Kubatana! No senate results as at 5.20 pm. What changes do YOU want in a free Zim? Lets inspire each other. Want to know what others say? SMS us your email addr

They then collected responses via e-mail and FrontlineSMS, a text-messaging hub for grassroots NGOs. The collected responses which were then distributed via an electronic newsletter and on the Kubatana Community Blog. After the election, Kubatana hopes to produce a booklet with a page on some of these ideas and some editorial commentary on the campaign, as well as a cartoon or even a set of postcards carrying the most “unique, original and practical ideas”.

examples of the campaign’s SMS responses after the jump…

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Posted in Blogs, Campaigns, Listservs, Mobile Phones, Sub-Saharan Africa | 1 Comment »

Tactic: Zimbabwe Election Watch Map

Written by Mary on March 31, 2008 – 12:57 am -

Description: This mashup overlays a Google map of Zimbabwe with information about breaches in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections* since July 2007.

Map URL: http://www.sokwanele.com/map/all_breaches

Organizer: Zimbabwe Election Watch, a project of the Zimbabwean movement blog www.Sokwanele.com

Purpose of Action: To make an accessible visual representation of complex longitudinal data about breaches in electoral standards.

Organizing Tools: Google maps, a blog

Outcome: Results of the March 29, 2008 election will be announced on Monday, March 31..

Ease of Replication: Creating a basic Google map with your own locations is pretty easy. Adding customizable icons and creating preferences that allow you to display only certain icons takes a little more skill.

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Posted in Mashups, Sub-Saharan Africa | 3 Comments »