Home to over 14 million people, Zimbabwe is a country bustling with activity and intrigue. While many of its recreational pursuits have traditionally revolved around offline pastimes, the arrival of the internet has seen a shift in the habits of its population – especially those of a younger generation.
While dancing, singing, sports and arts and crafts remain popular hobbies in the country today, more and more people are turning to the world wide web for their diversions. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular ways in which Zimbabweans like to spend their time online today.
Social media
Much as in many other places around the world, social media has taken Zimbabwe by storm, with Twitter and Facebook two of the most popular platforms in the southern African country. Indeed, in January 2021, there were 1.3 million users of social media in the country, which is equivalent to 8.7% of the population. While that might not seem as much as in other countries, the fact that 320,000 new users arrived between 2020 and 2021 (an increase of 33%) shows that the sector is growing very quickly in Zimbabwe. Accounts such as those held by Islamic scholar Mufti Menk are proving to be among the most watched and followed in the country.
Online betting
Sports are a big part of life in Zimbabwe. Football is the most popular sport among the entire populace, but there is also a sizable following for cricket, rugby union and netball, among other pursuits. For that reason, it’s no surprise that Sportsbet in Zimbabwe is receiving ever greater numbers of visitors, as sports enthusiasts place wagers on the fortunes of their favourite teams and players. With gambling fully legal and regulated by the Lotteries and Gambling Board, the pastime is an enjoyable and increasingly popular way to enjoy life in Zimbabwe.
Watching TV and movies
With the establishment of MultiChoice Zimbabwe in 1995, the way in which people experienced entertainment changed forever. There are now seven DStv packages for people to choose from, which continue to be enjoyed by millions of people across the country. But while DStv remains the go-to choice for those wishing to stay up to date on news, sports and current affairs, streaming services like Netflix are making inroads into their monopoly on visual entertainment. As well as allowing people to watch whatever title they wish on demand (as opposed to at the behest of a programming scheduler), Netflix and its ilk also offer parents the chance to implement controls over what their children watch, contributing to its popularity.
Listening to music
Zimbabwe has always had a rich history when it comes to music. As an outlet for the outpouring of emotions and thoughts, songs have served the Zimbabwean people well in times of feast and famine. Many of the bands and artists that are popular in Europe and North America enjoy massive followings in Zimbabwe, while local and regional singers are also widely acclaimed. Some of the biggest names to have come out of Zimbabwe include Andy Brown and The Storm, The Bhundu Boys and Lovemore Majaivana.
