African Content Creators Creating A Digital Standard of Storytelling on the Web
William Jackson, M.Ed. and Zakaria Laajily
My Quest To Teach
The vision of the continent of Africa is changing, more and more Africans are taking
the roles of storytellers to change the narratives of what the world is seeing digitally
of the people of Africa. Africans are content creators by blogging, podcasting, video
blogging, fashion and technology blogging. There are a growing number of political
content creators and educational advocates. Content is making great influences in
the narrative and vision of African life as it changes in new roles.
“Your content is the shining star that attracts and connects people to your message.”
@sherfranklin These words have important meaning because Africans are taking
responsibility for the visions that are seen on digital platforms and social media
sites. No longer does traditional media have the only say in what the world sees
and learns each day and each week of Africa. Individual Africans can share their
unique and authentic stories about their lives, their successes, their challenges and
the changes that are coming with the changes in technology access and integration.
The digital stories of Africans are encouraging Africans that their thoughts, experiences,
and convictions to share their story cannot stop.
The opportunity to share life and cultural experiences must be written and blogged
about to share a true story of African people, African civilization, African culture and
African history.
Content creation continues to open doorways to intellectual exchanges, building thought leaders,
creating communities of digital cohesion and uniting people of diversity.
The upcoming free African Language Conference on Clubhouse is a representation of
the power and beauty of over 1500 languages spoken on the continent of Africa
and using technology to unite thousands if not millions of Africans to share
their languages and their stories.
Storytelling is not dead, it is digital, it is global, and its foundation has come from
Africa and continues on. The conference: “African Languages: Let’s Amplify the Continent’s
Languages” unite people even if they have differences of ideas, religion or philosophy,
blogging can be a connection.
Dates: Thursday, January 27 to Sunday, January 30
Platform: Clubhouse
Organisers: Avishta Seeras and Ady Namaran Coulibaly
Social Media Visionary: William Jackson
The connective power of blogging using digital tools allows Africans to share content
not just locally, but globally. There was a time the only stories that came from Africa
where from mainstream European media that did not share the African story in a positive light,
with the use of Social Media and mobile technology truth, facts and openness can be shared.
Michelle Atagana, editor of Memeburn, one of South Africa’s leading tech blogs has stated
in terms of getting online, “I would say maybe in early 2004 and 2006, that was the emergence of blogging,”
“If you want a magic period, I’ll say 2008 to 2009. This shows that Africa is not far behind in the world, there are challenges in wired and mobile infrastructures, but this is being addressed by collaboration
with mobile tech companies, the military and even non-profit organizations
that are servicing the people not just the corporations.”
The ability to share multimedia content makes more of an impression than just photos or
videos themselves. Content creators are using digital devices that share the passion, purpose,
power and proliferation of what Africans are doing and growing as influencers.
The ability to share real-time content, not just written text, but photos,
video and multimedia elements make a profound statement of truth and reality in Africa.
American social media is based on the “social” aspects of communication.
The day-to-day events that Americans go through, in Africa the range is different,
content ranges from economic, educational, political and cultural exchanges
that influence the dynamics of African life. Africans do not need to emulate or imitate
Americans because their stories are totally different and the range of relationships
across Africa are so dynamic that unless you live and breath the air of Africa
people globally will never understand.
Because of the involvement of social media and dynamic digital devices,
world opinions will change and the mindsets and perceptions of African people will change.
The more African people voice their passions and concerns, the perceptions of African people
will have to change to allow more inclusive and equitable opportunities in commerce, education,
politics and other key areas of growth. Africa needs to continue to grow
itself outside of European colonization not just the physical, but the mental aspects of colonization; the
mental thinking that Africans need Europeans, Americans, Asians or other cultures to
be successful. Africans must continue to find their voices, share their stories
and build a foundation on intellectualism while building each generation to embrace, strengthen and
flex their intellect, their creativity and develop through blogging innovative ideas from
African young people.
Africa has a beautiful mission to build new and empowered educational leaders
that will continue to move Africa into the 21st century and beyond.
Education is the key to allowing Africans to apply the multi-talented skills needed
to forge a new path. African higher education must work with youth, teens
and young adults to mentor, encourage and inspire to prepare them for future responsibilities.
Marvel comics is making millions from centuries old stories of gods, enhanced humans
men and women with animal skills and abilities. It is time for African storytellers
to cash in and share their journeys and stories. The cognitive and emotional
influence to African boys and girls to read an African story that shows their continent
on a global platform and encouraging reading, literature,
cultural pride and the need for the growth in writing/blogging by more African boys and girls.
There are millions of stories waiting to be told in Africa, it is up to African children,
teens, young adults and even adults to start blogging to tell their stories
before others grab them and tell a different version and reap the harvest.
African’s have been denied for too long to tell their stories, now there are platforms
and tools to amplify their voice to enable unity, collaboration and cooperation.
Africans have an important story to tell and content creation can be done on
multiple platforms to share the wealth of knowledge.
