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Well said....
10/11/2008 09:56
mr..however, running a comprehensive campaign requires a huge budget and technology has not properly filtered to our ill-educated masses. So for now South African parties will stick on word of mouth and posters. I agree it's an old fashioned strategy and change is required starting with a wide stretched technology education. Nice article though!!!!!!!!! - Thokozani |
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Chris
10/11/2008 10:06
You don't have to kill to win, but I don't think that you should have to spend as much as Obama did or necessarily target new media avenues to get support. I think he won because his message was what people wanted to hear. Same in SA - parties should focus on energising their campaigns with messages of unity, hope and delivery - and the votes will follow. Just give us something new, not a re-packaged something old. - VG |
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There's a lot more wrong than just outdated technology
10/11/2008 10:11
To compare the US and SA electoral scenarios is a pointless exercise. In the US, you have an educated, civilized citizenry steeped in the traditions of liberal democracy. Over here, you have a far less sophisticated public who are steeped in the history of political violence, intimidation and are used to, shall we say more "direct" means of making their point. SMS's, emails and facebook aren't going to change that overnight. - Philosopher |
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90% of Electorate is clueless
10/11/2008 10:24
I happen to agree with your comments, but the problem is 90% of our popululation lives in rural places they don't even have access to the Internet unlike in the USA which is so advanced and even their senior citizens can use the computer. - Mxolisi Selby Shabangu |
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Not winning
10/11/2008 10:30
It isn't about winning, it's about 'not losing'. We should not be looking at how Obama won, but how gracefully McCain lost. In our upcoming elections all except one party will lose, and they must learn how to do it well. - MJ |
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SA is not USA
10/11/2008 10:33
I agree it will be pointless to use high technology in SA. You still have high literacy and most people do not have excess to internet. I agree the good PR is the way to go. Obama won the USA due to good PR than the technology. I believe people in SA are waiting for someone who will capture their hopes and say what thee want. - Jazz |
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well said, but...
10/11/2008 10:38
Sadly, the technology that helped Obama's campaign is not accessible to the 'masses' (for lack of a better word) in this country. word of mouth is still one of the most powerful 'advertising' tools and ways of spreading a message. I agree with VG - now we just need a fresh, positive message to inspire the people. For me, that would be something that provides true hope for the future of this country, through leaders who want the best for ALL who live in the country. It's a tough task, though - dh |
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SA masses not as backward!
10/11/2008 10:39
I do not know one single black or white employed person that does not have a cell phone. Even my gardner and domestic worker has one. So I agree with Chris, at least on SMS marketing. Internet wise we are still a bit backward. (Although I see that a lot of you have access, mostly by curtousy of your employers.) - TB |
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The youth are at the forefron of the information age
10/11/2008 10:43
@Thokozani
The youth in SA are more technology literate than you give them credit for. An increasing number of them use SMS, MXit, facebook, etc on daily basis. Furthermore, the elders are increasingly soliciting information and learning from the youth, who are in the know, to learn about modern media internet banking, etc. Given the demographics of SA, I think it would be a gross oversight for any political party not to devise a strategy that explicitly seeks to exploit this state of affairs. - Tical |
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I agree with you Chris
10/11/2008 10:45
My 22 year old daugther dragged me and my husband with her to the registration venue after receiving an SMS on her cell to go and register -something she has never even considered before and something I have never done after 1994. - Tina |
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youth violence
10/11/2008 10:50
Good article Chris- Obama has been very clever in using modern technology to reach the masses...and of course from this point forward, that will be the way they all do it- Unfortunately in SA we have a youth league hell bent on violence/ intimidation and lust for power. They are not satisfied with killing oponents, but will resort to violence against their own party if they do not join their blood lust campaign. I hope things are different, but i am not holding my breath - Blikkies |
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Technology
10/11/2008 11:06
I'm inclined to think that Mr Zuma's computer skills are not exactly up to speed. Possibly as a result of age and a lack of exposure. Would he even be aware of the potential of using new technologies for campaigning purposes? Are his campaign advisors better informed in these matters? I think not. Many people of his age are in fear (and awe)of computers and similar technology. So, unfortunately, the old-fashioned ways of campaigning, registering and voting will remain with us for now. - Andy |
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DA, cheek
10/11/2008 11:08
The DA have a damn cheek SMSing people and even with one Sending the STOP still persisted. What can you expect from a all white party with Godzilla at the Realm! - GG |
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MIXIT
10/11/2008 11:18
I believe that there is a huge potential to developed the MIXIT product to include advertising and also as a source for political parties to connect with the Generation Y - MIXIT as a company can derive huge profits from this development as they would be able to reach a diverse group as the product is currently used my most youngsters in RSA. - colin |
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YES WE CAN
10/11/2008 11:22
People have a right to differ with me on this one...I have a dream that a new page in our democratic order will be opened in the forthcoming general elections. The Congress of the People together with the progressive opposition parties will emerge victorious. This movement has no flag, emblem or constitution, but it has already won the hearts and minds of our masses. People voted for ANC because they wanted a free society.At times it was emotional votes, driven by hatred of aparthied. VIVA COP. - LUGWADU |
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You seem to be more critisizing....
10/11/2008 11:40
then constructing. I trust you also learned from the McCain campaign that wedge politics is complete futile activity. I'll tell you now, we do not need to copy what the Americans do, we have a capacity to do our things our way and be successful. We did it in 1994, and the world is still celebrating. Stop moaning and start to make a difference, may be you'll understand one can even **** for what they are. ANC is the future, build do not try to destroy, for you'll fail. ANC lives ANC leads. - mlungisi |
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Let us build on the change...
10/11/2008 12:01
Change came to SA in 1994, we celebrated, celebration time is over, we need to build on the change we brought. The new party will not take us anywhere as a country we need a mature, strong, party for SA and world citizens, party that know and understand the problems we face as SA's people. For me we are on the right track and we'll get there sooner then we expect. - mlungisi |
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Annoying DA
10/11/2008 12:14
Using technology is good.... some idiots that use it aren't always....
The DA / Helen Zille 'spammed' me (as well as the whole of the country?) with their sms's, without any consent to do so, and then the "unsubscribe" stop mechanism did not work either.
Obviously they did not get my vote. - cd |
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Getting the sms..
10/11/2008 12:26
really irritated me. Firstly because I never would give permission to receive something like this, and secondly I have no interest in voting and all the propaganda that surrounds it. - Teli |
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Um cd?
10/11/2008 12:37
What you mean they did not get your vote, elections are only next year! :) Yes the DA also hit me with a SMS but in this day and age they do not need your consent to send you a message? And everyone knows NEVER hit the unsubscribe button on SPAM, all that does is confirm they have a working number. :) - Richard Hipkin |
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Mlungisi
10/11/2008 12:42
Dude, I respect your for your choice, but please stop trying to convince the rest of us that your beloved ANC is the answer. We have the highest crime rate in the world, the highest government corruption with 12,000 employees arrested, we have a future pressie who is up for corruption, we have the ruling party's chief whip who is accussed of embezzlement... carry on my friend soon there will be nothing. - Point Blank |
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Vota Aikona
10/11/2008 12:50
Who do you vote for? The devils you know, that showed no great leadership when they had a chance to implement change (CoP), or the devils you don't, who ironically have also not covered themselves in glory through poor leadership(ANC).
Oh yes, and then there is that other party, that one that is so white it glows in the dark. What is their name now again?? - Super Sceptic |
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Development
10/11/2008 13:04
Remember it was ANCYL in Polokwana who refuse to use digital voting. This is supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow, who will take forward the development of technology. I believe if we still have people like Malema and Zuma in the leadership of the country this country will not progress. - Jazz |
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S.A. need a change, please show us Mr Obama
10/11/2008 13:56
Very nice article Chris
I too received the SMS from the DA and unlike some of the persons above I found it quite refreshing. Things in S.A. need to change for us as a nation. We as South Africans desperately need somebody who care about the people and not about themselves. We need a party who put the people first and care about education, crime, health care and the elderly.
Time for threats are gone, move over for a real party.
Tsunami - Raymond |
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Democracy
10/11/2008 13:59
If the DA or any other party uses modern technology to market their party it is their democratic right! It is inspiring to read Lugwadu's positive comments about the future he envisages. It is only when we put all hatred aside that we can concentrate on building this country into a legacy for our children. - Trish |
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@ GG
10/11/2008 14:14
What does the colour of the party have to do with it? Or are you effectively saying that you aline yourself with those that brought apartheid into action, but just from the other side? This encompasses everything that is wrong with SA... but GG, I truly hope you are a minority! - Duzi |
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Good article
10/11/2008 14:39
I really do not see why someone thinks its a cheek for the DA to use SMS's to get people to register - that is smart. It is using their heads not their tongues to reach people who are otherwise unreachable and easily manipulated by threats against their families. They steal the phones now hit them with VOTE for DA so they have to buy a new simcard at the very least. Go Helen!!! Joe, hope you can be our Obama. Senior Citizen. - GailC |
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