Several political parties and politicians in Africa understand the importance of using social media tools to engage with citizens and party members. Today we are looking at the Democratic Alliance, South Africa's Official Opposition and its leader, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille. The Democratic Alliance officially launched its social media strategy in February 2009, which includes two interactive websites, online advertising and marketing, SMS communication, mobile web access and engagement with voters via social networking and in the blogosphere. The DA has a social media campaign site, official site and a mobile site. The party has a Twitter page with latest news feed posted on its website. The party has 1,370 followers. DA's latest tweets: Department's R126-million debt threatens to halt printing of all passports http://bit.ly/c8V4Qy 18 minutes ago via twitterfeed Limpopo premier agrees that teaching should be declared an essential service. Does the national minister agree? http://bit.ly/by1m7L 18 minutes ago via twitterfeed Corruption thrives in tenders under R200 000 http://bit.ly/bkkOcT 19 minutes ago via twitterfeed Transport Department's R76-million conference splurge – enormous wasteful expenditure includes R12-million on VIP … http://bit.ly/bkeid8 about 4 hours ago via twitterfeed Eskom refuses to explain preferential tariff rates – is this Chancellor House all over again? http://bit.ly/9HiiKo about 4 hours ago via twitterfeed SAA fails to appear before Parliament, after Operations Manager is thrown off SAA flight http://bit.ly/bAqhob about 5 hours ago via twitterfeed DA welcomes Mtimkulu's suspension http://bit.ly/9WxKv5 about 5 hours ago via twitterfeed DCS: satellite tracking devices only way to reliable alternative sentencing http://bit.ly/aEyERf about 5 hours ago via twitterfeed Its leader Helen Zille has a Twitter page and a Facebook account. Below is one of latest messages from Zille's Facebook page: As the elected President of our Republic, Jacob Zuma needs to accept that his behaviour will be held up for public scrutiny. If he doesn’t like this, he is free to resign. Elected leaders must be held to account. If their actions contradict their stated public positions (not to mention their government’s policies) they must answer for that. And comments from South African citizens: Anna Van Vuuren What sort of an example is Mr Z displaying to our youth? It will just lead them all to hospital with HIV and AIDS!!!!!! February 9 at 1:22am Mike Immelman He might be doing us a favour. We'll just have to bring our own children up the right way. February 9 at 2:58am Tom Parkin Jacob Zuma needs to step down. February 9 at 12:08pm Linda van der Westhuizen With a colourful nation like this who can go wrong with a Zuma on the ladder……. February 9 at 10:50pm Ruth Heynsthomas Coley AMEN! He has become an embarresment to our people! February 10 at 12:43am Amy Glynn Bailey I couldnt agree more after all if our president cant set an example how can we xpect the youth to know the difference between right and wrong!!!!!!! February 10 at 2:21am Yoemna Fakier HI HELEN ZUMA NEEDS TO STEP DOWN & YOU NEED TO STEP IN ,,,LOVE U GIRL. February 10 at 2:44am In 207 Helen joined Zoopy in order to connect with voters using photo and video clips covering current issues. The last time she posted content on the site is one year ago. Zoopy is South Africa's “YouTube”, which allows anyone to sign up and create their own video and photo webpage. What do South African bloggers think of the DA's use of social media tools? Mathew Buckland reviewed DA's social media strategy in a post titled, “SA Political Party Launches Impressive, Obamaesque Campaign Site”: So back to the DA site. The DA’s site has the same silky, blue tones as Obama. The navigation and look and feel is professional and clear. The “Contribute to Change” not only sounds like Obama, but looks like it was almost taken from his site (similar design, font). (I know he’s an inspirational character, but do we have to rip off his site? What about some Africa theming — why are we even using the same US presidential font?) Packed with social media functionality The functionality is innovative and clever, and it’s a good job. The DA site allows you to do a couple of things: ▪ Donate: Supporters can donate online in much the same way they could on Obama’s site. Pity they never advertised a premium SMS shortcode number with the credit card payment option that they have. Micropayments via SMS are key revenue spinners on the web because they’re so easy to do. Credit cards are a pain, but most importantly for these elections — not everyone has got ‘em. ▪ Blogs: Users can sign up for a DA blog, and begin writing and campaigning.