Digital Divide in South Africa
Content
“Digital Divide in
South Africa”
The issues surrounding access; note their role in social capital ,
knowledge capital and human capital
“Digital Access”
The first identified element of digital citizenship pertains to digital access, which is defined
as: “The full electronic participation in Society” (Ribble, 2011).
Whilst the Internet, World Wide Web, cell phones, television and other electronic
information and communication technologies (ICTs) are opening up ways for the
transformation of the way we live, learn, work and communicate, it is important to note
that the decisions of opening, directing or closing of opportunities is key to bringing social
and economic benefits to people around the world.
Digital access is key and critical to bringing these social and economic benefits and should be
at the forefront of all business and government decision-making in the context of creating
opportunities.
Digital access opportunities will improve social transformations as a result of increased use
of ICTs. A prime example of the social transformations that ICTs leveraged are the Arab
Springs in 2010, where the people of repressive countries leveraged the use of social media
to gain support and plan for demonstrations resulted in the toppling of various governments.
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Social Capital”
Social capital is “the collective value of all social networks (who people know) and the
inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other (‘norms of
reciprocity’).
The central premise of social capital is that social networks have value” (Better Together
initiative, [s.a.]). So, how does the digital divide impact on social capital and why is it a
cause for concern? Social capital is about specific benefits that are achieved from the use
of social networks, such as reciprocity, trust, co-operation and information.
Essentially it creates value for people who are connected to each other. Users who engage
and collaborate with in social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, we are
in fact building social capital.
In addition to building our social capital we are increasing our social and communication
skills. Furthermore, we are growing our general digital literacy, whilst increasing our
psychological wellbeing, as we feel connected and respected through engagement with
others (Duke University, [s.a.]).
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Knowledge Capital”
In 2011, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sir was quoted as saying in a keynote dinner speech, that the digital
divide is as important as “closing the education divide, closing the healthcare divide and closing the
economic divide. Indeed, broadband is a tool that can be used to narrow these divisions and close
the poverty/wealth gap” (Legal speaks, 2011). This clarifies the issues of how the divide can impact
on business, as those that are disenfranchised in terms of accented the divide is overcome, the
technology can then be used to collate data for processing into information, resulting in knowledge
being acquired and used in decision-making processes to improve the business. Overcoming this
divide is critical in a country where small, medium or macro enterprises (SMEs) make up 91% of
South Africa’s business entities, contributing between 52% and 57% of the GDP, and 61% toward
employment – including those with less skilled labour (Habberton and Notcutt, 2013).
This paradigm, or pattern, could assist developing countries in their attempts to close or minimise
the divide, thus supporting the growth of S.A.’s biggest type of entity – SMEs. Moreover, the
paradigm is consistent with the natural progression we are seeing within developing countries;
where technology is being adopted and the skills are acquired to utilise the technology. The only
main difference is that, in a developed country, the socioeconomic factors and the infrastructure
less speeds up the time between the adoption of the technology and its universal utilisation. will
have limited ability to gain equitable and profitable employment.
“Human Capital Strategy”
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Human Capital”
Health researchers and health care professionals, from both the developed
and developing worlds, have long been concerned about the link between
health and education (Evans et al., 1994; Health Canada, 1999;
World Bank, 2000). Education and literacy rank as key determinants of health,
along with income and income distribution, employment, working conditions
and the social environment, although the interrelationships and weighting of
these various determinants demand further research. The second Canadian
health report ‘Towards a Healthy Future’ states
The report mentions in various chapters how Canada's high ranking in the
UNDP Human Development Index (UNDP, 1998) drops when parameters such as
income distribution and literacy are factored in.
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Human Capital”
All countries ranked in the top 10 for ‘women’s well-being' have a female literacy rate of
90% and higher. Latin America has an 80% female literacy rate—the highest among
developing nations. In contrast, Africa has the lowest rate with wide disparities. For
example, South Africa and Zimbabwe have a literacy rate close to 80%, while in some of the
poorest countries, such as Niger and Burkina Faso, only 10% of women can read and write. A
mother's level of education correlates closely with a child's risk of dying before age 2 years.
Developing countries that have achieved a female literacy rate ranging from 70 to 83% have
also achieved an infant mortality rate of 50 (per 100 000) or lower (Save the Children, 2000
). Income for women rises by 10–20% for each additional year of schooling. Educated women
are more likely to postpone marriage and childbirth, give better health care to their
families, and send their children to school and contribute to overall economic growth (
Filmer, 1999). The strong relationship between women's educational level and the total
fertility rate of the society is well documented. The insufficiently considered impact of
improved educational levels among women of childbearing age is beginning to disprove the
dire predictions of an impending population explosion.
South Africa”
The issues surrounding access; note their role in social capital ,
knowledge capital and human capital
“Digital Access”
The first identified element of digital citizenship pertains to digital access, which is defined
as: “The full electronic participation in Society” (Ribble, 2011).
Whilst the Internet, World Wide Web, cell phones, television and other electronic
information and communication technologies (ICTs) are opening up ways for the
transformation of the way we live, learn, work and communicate, it is important to note
that the decisions of opening, directing or closing of opportunities is key to bringing social
and economic benefits to people around the world.
Digital access is key and critical to bringing these social and economic benefits and should be
at the forefront of all business and government decision-making in the context of creating
opportunities.
Digital access opportunities will improve social transformations as a result of increased use
of ICTs. A prime example of the social transformations that ICTs leveraged are the Arab
Springs in 2010, where the people of repressive countries leveraged the use of social media
to gain support and plan for demonstrations resulted in the toppling of various governments.
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Social Capital”
Social capital is “the collective value of all social networks (who people know) and the
inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other (‘norms of
reciprocity’).
The central premise of social capital is that social networks have value” (Better Together
initiative, [s.a.]). So, how does the digital divide impact on social capital and why is it a
cause for concern? Social capital is about specific benefits that are achieved from the use
of social networks, such as reciprocity, trust, co-operation and information.
Essentially it creates value for people who are connected to each other. Users who engage
and collaborate with in social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, we are
in fact building social capital.
In addition to building our social capital we are increasing our social and communication
skills. Furthermore, we are growing our general digital literacy, whilst increasing our
psychological wellbeing, as we feel connected and respected through engagement with
others (Duke University, [s.a.]).
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Knowledge Capital”
In 2011, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sir was quoted as saying in a keynote dinner speech, that the digital
divide is as important as “closing the education divide, closing the healthcare divide and closing the
economic divide. Indeed, broadband is a tool that can be used to narrow these divisions and close
the poverty/wealth gap” (Legal speaks, 2011). This clarifies the issues of how the divide can impact
on business, as those that are disenfranchised in terms of accented the divide is overcome, the
technology can then be used to collate data for processing into information, resulting in knowledge
being acquired and used in decision-making processes to improve the business. Overcoming this
divide is critical in a country where small, medium or macro enterprises (SMEs) make up 91% of
South Africa’s business entities, contributing between 52% and 57% of the GDP, and 61% toward
employment – including those with less skilled labour (Habberton and Notcutt, 2013).
This paradigm, or pattern, could assist developing countries in their attempts to close or minimise
the divide, thus supporting the growth of S.A.’s biggest type of entity – SMEs. Moreover, the
paradigm is consistent with the natural progression we are seeing within developing countries;
where technology is being adopted and the skills are acquired to utilise the technology. The only
main difference is that, in a developed country, the socioeconomic factors and the infrastructure
less speeds up the time between the adoption of the technology and its universal utilisation. will
have limited ability to gain equitable and profitable employment.
“Human Capital Strategy”
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Human Capital”
Health researchers and health care professionals, from both the developed
and developing worlds, have long been concerned about the link between
health and education (Evans et al., 1994; Health Canada, 1999;
World Bank, 2000). Education and literacy rank as key determinants of health,
along with income and income distribution, employment, working conditions
and the social environment, although the interrelationships and weighting of
these various determinants demand further research. The second Canadian
health report ‘Towards a Healthy Future’ states
The report mentions in various chapters how Canada's high ranking in the
UNDP Human Development Index (UNDP, 1998) drops when parameters such as
income distribution and literacy are factored in.
“Digital Access and the role it plays to
Human Capital”
All countries ranked in the top 10 for ‘women’s well-being' have a female literacy rate of
90% and higher. Latin America has an 80% female literacy rate—the highest among
developing nations. In contrast, Africa has the lowest rate with wide disparities. For
example, South Africa and Zimbabwe have a literacy rate close to 80%, while in some of the
poorest countries, such as Niger and Burkina Faso, only 10% of women can read and write. A
mother's level of education correlates closely with a child's risk of dying before age 2 years.
Developing countries that have achieved a female literacy rate ranging from 70 to 83% have
also achieved an infant mortality rate of 50 (per 100 000) or lower (Save the Children, 2000
). Income for women rises by 10–20% for each additional year of schooling. Educated women
are more likely to postpone marriage and childbirth, give better health care to their
families, and send their children to school and contribute to overall economic growth (
Filmer, 1999). The strong relationship between women's educational level and the total
fertility rate of the society is well documented. The insufficiently considered impact of
improved educational levels among women of childbearing age is beginning to disprove the
dire predictions of an impending population explosion.
