‘Watching us is like watching a cousin’: the online creators reshaping Africa’s news ecosphere

Africa is experiencing a shift in news consumption habits, with online creators reshaping the news ecosphere. Last year, Amahle-Imvelo Jaxa gained 100,000 followers in three days after posting a viral TikTok video about South African peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, detailing a conflict between the South African and Rwandan presidents and the roles of various South African groups in a potential war with Rwanda. This success allowed Jaxa to transition from a marketing and restaurant entrepreneur to a “professional yapper and current affairs enthusiast,” catering to young South Africans who prefer social media over traditional news.