Social media influencers and digital dissent in Zimbabwe’s post-2023 election landscape

Abstract

This study examines how social media influencers in Zimbabwe are using digital platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to challenge the perceived legitimacy of the Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) government following the contested 2023 harmonised elections. Drawing on Foucault’s theory of discourse and power, the research employed a qualitative netnography approach to analyse content produced by key influencers. These digital opinion leaders leverage their online presence to critique the electoral process, highlight governance failures, and expose corruption, thereby creating counter-narratives that challenge the regime’s legitimacy and mobilise public opinion. Whilst social media activism has limitations in effecting immediate political change, it plays an important role in shaping public discourse and maintaining pressure on authoritarian regimes, contributing to an evolving understanding of digital activism and influencer-driven political communication in hybrid political systems.