What is Sema na Fema?
Sema na Fema is an SMS gateway that offers Tanzanians another way to interact with Femina by both receiving and contributing content via mobile phone.
Through Sema na Fema, Femina sends bulk SMSes on behalf of Fema, Si Mchezo! and Fema TV Talk Show, to an audience of thousands. Each bulk SMS has a selected theme and raises awareness, poses questions provoking feedback, or does both. Recipients text in their responses which are analysed for content and fed back into Femina´s production process. Using an online application to receive, sort and store thousands of SMSes, Sema na Fema has allowed Femina to take in more SMSes and use SMS technology more systematically.
Since launching in 2011, Sema na Fema also supports Fema, Si Mchezo and Fema TV Talk Show as a tool for interactivity, through which quizzes, creative competitions and SMS voting are administered. Sema na Fema is the platform through which Ruka Juu na Fema TV Talk Show viewers are able to cast their SMS votes for their favourite contestants.
What is the purpose of Sema na Fema?
Sema na Fema aims to make Femina media more inclusive in terms of access and representation. Bulk SMSes allow Femina to reach an audience literally at their fingertips; for Tanzanians living in areas where consistent access to Fema, Si Mchezo! Fema TV Talk Show is a challenge, they can receive the same kinds of information available in our media products albeit in a much more condensed and concise format. Content from the SMS responses is fed back into the media products, by for example the taking up of popular themes and publishing the voices of respondents.
The potential in such a platform that allows interaction and exchange by SMS is especially relevant for marginalized populations, namely youth and people in rural areas, who do not have good access to media and have no decision-making power when it comes to mainstream media.
What is an example of SMSes sent out and received via Sema na Fema?
Sample bulk SMS: In a recent issue of Si Mchezo!, the people of Kilwa talked about their struggle with land rights. What is going on in your community that you want people to know about?
Sample responses received:
"Water is scarce here, even though we have dug a well." (Arusha)
"Electricity is a problem. We can't do business, money to eat is a problem." (Lushoto)
"Marriages are breaking quickly and as a result there are more street kids." (Lindi)
How to send an SMS via Sema na Fema
If you send an SMS to Sema na Fema, you will be entered in the Sema na Fema database, and you will receive bulk SMSes.
To send an SMS to Fema, write Fema, leave a space, write your message and send it to 15665.
To send an SMS to Si Mchezo!, write SM, leave a space, write your message and send it to 15665.
To send an SMS to Ruka Juu, write Ruka, leave a space, write your message and send it to 15665.
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