Union for Transformation

A hashtag is link tag that is used on social media networks such as twitter and others, it is used as a way for people to connect or search for tweets and information with the common topic. Hashtag are searchable term on the websites and social networks that allows you to click on the hashtag itself to read more information.

Image by: chuckespr

FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL #FEESMUSTFALL

The #feesmustfall is one of the hashtag that become a worldwide trending topic on social these #feesmustfall started out on Twitter, but spread to Facebook, Google+ ,Instagram and Google search.
The movement of #feesmustfall was one of the movement that took place to see that transformation in our education system in being made. South Africa is a country that focus on economic growth, but as it had to also look to its education system cause education also has a part in economic growth.

                                  students marching in the streets of Johannesburg durging the #feesmust fall movement

#FeesMustFall is a student led protest movement that began in mid-October 2015,after they heard the announcement by the Minister of Higher Education that there would be fee increases in South African universities capped at 8% for 2017.

The #feesmustfall played a huge role because it has influence the use of social media, whereby people engage themselves and had conversation with one another online using. the hashtag has advantages and disadvantages of using social media.

The advantages of using social media for the #FeesMustFall

images by: twitter

 The use of social media for this hashtag is to open conversation online, increase awareness about what is happening. The advantage of  using social media is that it can influence alarge number of audience in a short period of time, it encourages others to share it too on their social networks. The #feesmustfall has created an easy message that people are able to understand. Social media allows brands to use the hashtag for promotional or advertising. #feesmustfall has invited people through social media to act and participate in the movement. The advantage of using social media is that it is very helpful in terms of searching for specific information on brands that took participation on these hashtag,and the hashtag itself will allow you to see which other brand were involved.it influences  people to voice out their opinions through  the use of social media.

The disadvantages of using social media for the #feesmusfall.

Image by chica.co.za

The disadvantage about social media is that some people don't have access to the internet to engage in this hashtag. People can give negative comments online which could end up influencing others to respond to the negative comment about the hashtag. your account can be hacked and people can pretend to be who they are not in order to get your attention or ruin your organisation reputation. social media is not a place for everyone because people will share content that won;t suit you and will have negative outcomes it is easy for police in terms of #feesmustfall to get your identity through social media because there is no privacy.

Recommendations .
Recommend that people should see the use of social media as an important tool to be used to create awareness,share emotions,educate,and communicate any relevant information. I think in future organizations should also take part in these hashtag because it will be an advantage to them to market and make their brand well known. i know it is nice to engage with others online but be more careful on social media and always be honest and transparent to the extend that your audience find your news trustworthy.

Image by:DW

Spirit of Ubuntu is needed

#SayNoToXenophobia

SOUTH AFRICA IS A MULTICULTURAL COUNTRY.
Xenophobia is the dislike or hatred of people perceived to be foreigners In the past few years South Africa has experienced xenophobic attack,the violence began in Alexandra township when foreigners were attacked and the violence spread across the country.This whole drama has given rise to the hashtags  #SayNoToxenophobia the movement was initiated to stop the hatred and abuse of our fellow African brothers and sisters.

                                                                                                         

Courtesy: Pinterest 

THE STRATEGIC USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Strategic uses of  social media is how you use online platforms to achieve your communication with the target audience.The key is to have a strategy that is actionable and understandable.

The use of social media is important because if you don't know what's being said,how can   you effectively manage your brand reputation online?and how can you ensure that your key message are being heard by the people you most want to talk to?

Courtesy: Fabiamna Blanco

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media have influence the #saynotoxenophobia because people were able to engaged with one another on Facebook,twitter, Instagram and any other social media network by sharing pictures ,comments and how they feel about this hashtag which has made it easy for the practice of corporate social media.

Here's a short clip on social media findings, through various sources and people(the public) posting on the tragedies of xenophobic attacks. These files becoming useful as source to journalists and the media. N.B Viewer discretion is advised. Courtesy: Youtube.com

ADVANTAGES OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR #SAYNOTOXENOPHOBIA.

One of the advantage that social media have on this hashtag is that people voice their opinions and this can lead to online conversation which can improve your brand reputation. 
social media makes it easy to spread news fast- even for people who don't watch news on televisions but social media played a big role during  this hashtag people where updated about what is currently happening .its cheap and effective to use and it reach more people at a short period of time.the use of social media allows public relation professional to build mutual beneficial relationship with influential users.
it allows you to get peoples opinions and feedback based on the hashtag #saynotoxenophobia and in that case  user are able to express how they feel at that time.
allows people to connect anywhere regardless of the location.helps you to share issues,
To stay connected-social media has allow people to stay connected to their stakeholders during this hashtag to know what the stakeholders think about the #saynotoxenophobia movement.

DISADVANTAGES OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE #SayNoToXenophobia

The disadvantage that this hashtag has on social media is that not everyone will agree with this #saynotoxenophobia and the feedback can be negative or it can happen that the intended message that you send/post about this hashtag can be easily misinterpreted by the users. You can end up being hurt or being cyber bullied online through social media. Another disadvantage of the hashtag on social media is that not everyone has internet access for example people in rural areas are not exposed to using internet through out so they are not able to engage in these hashtag which are trending and very influencing online. It can easily ruin your reputation if it happens by mistake that you post false information online and can quickly be problematic.

FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS

I recommend that there has to be awareness that is raised to educate people and leaders about the crucial of xenophobia. government have get the attention of its citizen and show them that we might need the help of people that we are hurting.development of domestic laws that will be addressing the violence that has been happen because of xenophobia and be against the violence of xenophobia.

Courtesy: Pya Kule Design Group