Botswana's Elections and the Use of Social Media

Global Voices Online is reporting how social media is playing a role in the latest parliamentary and council elections in Botswana. While they note that their use of social media tools is behind countries like Nigeria, Uganda, or South Africa, there are promising signs that individuals like journalists and students are using such tools to monitor and report on the ongoing elections. One blogger in particular, Patricia Maganu, notes that:

I have begun to appreciate more what technology and Internet can do besides browsing for fun and email. AEP (African Elections Project) took a step in the right direction when they decided to come out and teach ambassadors of information such as  journalists how to be more prompt with information in today's world.

It is always heartening to see tools like blogs and Twitter used for upholding democracy and encouraging civic participation, and not just celebrity gossip or corporate marketing. We know that organizations and individuals working for social benefit are using these and other emerging technology tools around the world.