I have a love-hate relationship with social media. Attached to the joys of hashtags and retweets, shares and Yos are the annoyances of Candy Crush Saga requests, chain messages and pokes. These are things that can only be avoided by being digitally anorexic.
Of course there’s the magic of bringing communities together which means so much more for Zimbabweans (and all Africans in fact) whose people are in every part of the global village. Through this we can share the same obsessions and crazes and feel as if we are in one place.
The latest zimbo social media craze (there’s always something – remember the #wotoshaya zvirikufamba sei audios?) is in the form of the Zvinhu Zvirikufaya videos. Posted by ZImbabweans, mostly in the diaspora, they show people expressing how they are living varyingly “lavish” lifestyles.
As the phrase “Zvinhu Zvirikufaya” suggests (It loosely translates to “things are rocking”) these videos are a celebration of success, something that always draws mixed points of view from audiences.It looks like someone figured that Phillip Chiyangwa wasn’t the only one capable of celebrating his opulence with the whole world through social media. (His videos are on the Zirikufaya Facebook page by the way)
This is an impressive showing from Zimbabweans who are taking advantage of social media to express, through satire mostly, a celebratory perspective of Zimbabwean success. With such a huge response and following one wonders if this will be monetised or there will be a progression of this to other media.
It can’t be confirmed whether any of these videos are genuine portrayals of Zimbabwean financial success. However Zimbabweans in the diaspora, whether they can afford Hip Hop video lifestyles or not, are actually a big part of the country’s economic turnaround equation. Even the government seems to think so as well. These are the same diasporans who the Vice President Joyce Mujuru was pleading with to come home and help fix the country.
Perhaps they can come together, sacrifice a couple of Maybachs and Bentleys each and start an accelerator fund bigger than the Savannah Fund?
As only the 11,389th person to like the Zvinhu Zvirikufaya Facebook page I haven’t had a chance to go through most of the 80 plus videos and colourful comments. Thanks to the Facebook and WhatsApp bundles though I’m sure I’ll receive most of the video celebrations of success on social media.
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6 comments
I think the Dr Chiyangwa videos kind of started it. The one where he was driving the “big B” along the highway, top down. Its a very old clip, I saw it long before this page. That clip in itself was not a brag video, it was a personal message to someone. But I think that together with Wicknell Chivayo’s regular facebook activities, the diasporans maybe felt that these guys are grabbing limelight over lifestyles which THEY THEMSELVES are also living, but not getting “celebrated” like the local tycoons. Its it fun but silly IMHO – the “hatidzoke ikoko – todzoka kuzoitei” part leaves a bad taste in the mouth for me. Comes across a little negative, bitter even.
Yes, the Sir Wicknell Page also amped up this Facebook Floss phenomenon. I get your point on the negative vibe there though. But bitter in what way? Don’t these guys feel that Zimbabweans who aren’t in the diaspora are the ones bitter that they didn’t get a chance to go there?
The word youre is “memes”
*looking for
Exactly! social media craze == Meme. Most of them are (meant to be) humourous, so don’t take them seriously. It’s a fad that will be soon over, so enjoy while it lasts.
My absolute favourite is the Waterbed one. :’-D
Interesting read Nigel. Thought I would weigh in, I have been through a number of the videos and as much as the general gist is that its all in humour, it appears there is some intended show boating. This is evidenced by the polarised reactions each video receives. While I am all for humour and fun, I think there is a powerful underlying message that many aren’t acknowledging which given the virality of the trend, is worsening the situation of our nation. And that message is “I have, you don’t, I am better than you”. In all the videos (I admit I have not watched Chiyangwa’s) I see “apparent” riches but no wealth. And I say apparent because any wealthy person will tell you a vehicle is not an asset unless it is used in business and even then it is usually a depreciating overhead asset. With this trend, I am willing to bet more and more are compelled to live above their means and in credit, while failing to see the bigger picture. Humour is all good and fun, but there is a message in every message, humorous or not. The question is therefore is it a message we can be proud of as a people….Just my two cents…