Internationally, new media technologies have not only facilitated formal political participation in certain countries, but also provided the means for social movements, activist groupings or minority groups to engage with these processes on a global level. The question, however, is whether this also holds true for African contexts. Seen in the light of the resurgence of Pan-Africanist discourses, this paper examines what role ICTs will play in the new visions of establishing a foothold for Africa within the processes of globalization. Taking an activist group from South Africa, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) as an example, the paper focuses on the ways in which new media technologies make it possible for this local activist grouping to establish broader support networks. It examines opportunities (and problems) provided by ‘many-to-many’ communication for activists in three key areas: dissemination of alternative news; creating virtual public spheres; and organizing political action. The paper is based on readings of the TAC’s website and email lists, as well as interviews held with TAC officials in 2003. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]
