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All Journal Indonesian Journal of Information System JOURNAL OF APPLIED INFORMATICS AND COMPUTING Journal of Information Systems and Informatics
Mutanga, Murimo Bethel
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Computer Science & IT

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Journal : Indonesian Journal of Information System

 1 
Social Media and the COVID-19: South African and Zimbabwean Netizens’ Response to a Pandemic Mutanga, Murimo Bethel; Ureke, Oswelled; Chani, Tarirai
Indonesian Journal of Information Systems Vol 4, No 1 (2021): August 2021
Publisher : Program Studi Sistem Informasi Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24002/ijis.v4i1.4338

Abstract

Since the end of 2019, the world faced a major health crisis in the form of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, governments across the globe instituted measures such as restricting local and international travel and in many cases, ordering citizens to stay indoors. Considering the social and economic impact of these restrictions it becomes crucial to investigate internet citizens’ (netizens) perception about the precautionary measures adopted. The study is anchored in the digital public sphere theory, which treats social media applications as virtual platforms where netizens commune to share ideas and debate about issues that affect them. Social media platforms already have critical public views on the current pandemic. However, the majority of this data is unstructured and difficult to interpret. Natural language processing (NLP), on the other hand, makes the task of gathering and analysing vast amounts of textual data feasible. Extracting structured knowledge from natural language, however, comes with unique challenges due to diverse linguistic properties including abbreviation, spelling mistakes, punctuations, stop words and non-standard text. In this work, The Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm was applied to tweeter data to extract topics discussed by netzens from Zimbabwe and South Africa.  The primary focus of this paper, is to comparatively explore the variety of topics that occupied twitter communities from the two countries. We examine whether or not the national identities that define and differentiate citizens of these countries also exist on Twitter as evident in the emerging topics. Furthermore, this work investigated public opinion by analysing how citizens discuss the issues around the COVID-19 pandemic on social media
Instagram Through Her Eyes: Exploring Female Instagram Content Creators’ Motivations for Content Creation Mlangeni, Senamile; Nyawo, Thulebona; Nyathi, Mpumelelo; Mhlongo, Xolani Vincent; Mutanga, Murimo Bethel
Indonesian Journal of Information Systems Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025): August 2025
Publisher : Program Studi Sistem Informasi Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24002/ijis.v8i1.11668

Abstract

Instagram has emerged as a dominant social media platform globally, particularly among young female users who engage actively with visual content and digital narratives. While existing studies have explored the psychological implications of social media usage, few have specifically focused on the motivations behind content creation and the nature of posts, especially within the context of South African universities. This study investigates these motivations among female students aged 18–35 at a University of Technology. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, and content analysis of Instagram posts over a three-month period. The findings indicate that motivations such as self-expression and validation underpin much of the content shared. The study contributes to the understanding of online identity construction and emotional regulation in digital spaces, offering insights into mental health awareness, digital literacy education, and inclusive platform design. By examining female students' Instagram engagement in the Global South, this research fills a contextual and theoretical gap, shedding light on the intersection of social media with unique cultural, academic, and technological dynamics.
Exploring Gender-Based Preferences in TikTok Influencer Following Among Students at University of Technology Mthembu , Khulula Blessing; Poyise, Xolisa Philip; Motsilili, Phomolo; Mutanga, Murimo Bethel; Revesai, Zvinodashe
Indonesian Journal of Information Systems Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026): February 2026
Publisher : Program Studi Sistem Informasi Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24002/ijis.v8i2.12888

Abstract

The rise of short-form video platforms has fundamentally changed patterns of digital communication, with TikTok becoming a dominant influence in youth media consumption. However, gender-specific preferences in influencer choice remain underexamined, especially within African university settings. Based on Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT), this qualitative exploratory study investigates how gender affects TikTok influencer following behaviours among 103 South African university students who were active TikTok users. Data were gathered via open-ended online questionnaires and analysed through Qualitative Content Analysis with dual-researcher coding to ensure reliability. Significant gender-based differences appeared in influencer preferences and motivational factors: male students (61% of the sample) mainly followed educational, motivational, and entrepreneurial influencers, seeking cognitive gratifications related to skill development and career prospects, while female students (39% of the sample) inclined towards lifestyle, beauty, and fashion influencers, prioritising affective gratifications like emotional resonance, identity exploration, and self-expression. Despite these differences, both groups valued influencer authenticity, relatability, and expertise over follower count or popularity metrics. The findings extend UGT application to algorithm-driven, short-form video platforms and show how gender influences digital media gratification-seeking behaviours, revealing TikTok as a multifaceted tool for identity building, emotional validation, and aspirational learning rather than just entertainment. These results inform gender-sensitive digital marketing, educational technology integration, and culturally relevant content creation for African youth markets, allowing universities to use these insights for more effective student engagement on social media. The study's focus on a single institution and its cross-sectional design limit broad applicability, indicating that future research should explore long-term influencer relationships and cross-cultural comparisons across African educational contexts. Keywords: Gender differences, social media, influencer preferences, TikTok, university students, Uses and Gratifications Theory
Co-Authors Chani, Tarirai Jugoo, Vikash Magcaba, Mfanafuthi Maguraushe, Kudakwashe Mhlongo, Xolani Vincent Mlangeni, Senamile Mnguni, Nompilo Makhosi Motsilili, Phomolo Mthembu , Khulula Blessing Mthembu, Nompumelelo Ndou, Ananias Ndovela, Sithembile Lydia Nkomo, Nkululeko Nyathi, Mpumelelo Nyawo, Thulebona Piyose, Xolisa Philip Poyise, Xolisa Philip Revesai, Zvinodashe Ureke, Oswelled