Munjedzi Ndaba Student Nr.11119888
Portfolio Section A: Bridging the Digital Divide
Gaps identified to address the problem of digital divide:
A. Gender
According to a study conducted by Statista on gender breakdown of internet users in South
Africa, it is found that males have a slight edge in access to the internet than females do
with overall numbers of 51% and 49% respectively. From these statistics, we can conclude
that gender is not the real cause of digital divide in South Africa. We can further conclude
that access to internet is almost evenly accessible to all South Africans regardless of
gender.
B. Accessibility
As urban centres are continuously building high speed broad band networks, many rural
and remote areas are neglected because the cost and difficulty associated with wiring the
rural locations and are often expensive. Under original list there is education gap, income
gap, infrastructure gap, gender gap, age gap and language gap. Another list is called
revised list, we find income gap, infrastructure gap, gender gap, education gap, age gap,
language gap which is a content divide and lastly is accessibility it is also called disability.
C. Age
According to a study carried out by the South African internet users and persons ages 15
to 29 41% uses the internet daily and older respondents, especially in the 45 to 59-year-
old category 20% use the internet once a month. It is clear from this study that digital divide
exists between age groups because the youth is more exposed to technology or internet
and are willing to use it, whereas older people are resistant to change and avoid the use
of technology.
D. IT Literacy
The ability to use IT for a range of purposes, and the knowledge of how and why IT can
be used as key resource. For example, thus far policy has emphasized getting computers
and internet into the schools, but these efforts have been incomplete and inequitable.
Incomplete because teachers are not trained and supported to integrate technology into
what they do. It is clear that authorities in South Africa have to prioritise literacy to both
teachers and learners to successfully bridge the digital divide gap.
EUP1501 Final Portfolio Submission
, Munjedzi Ndaba Student Nr.11119888
The inclusion of the above factors was motivated by the lack of coverage from my fellow
students.
WORD COUNT: 373
EUP1501 Final Portfolio Submission
Portfolio Section A: Bridging the Digital Divide
Gaps identified to address the problem of digital divide:
A. Gender
According to a study conducted by Statista on gender breakdown of internet users in South
Africa, it is found that males have a slight edge in access to the internet than females do
with overall numbers of 51% and 49% respectively. From these statistics, we can conclude
that gender is not the real cause of digital divide in South Africa. We can further conclude
that access to internet is almost evenly accessible to all South Africans regardless of
gender.
B. Accessibility
As urban centres are continuously building high speed broad band networks, many rural
and remote areas are neglected because the cost and difficulty associated with wiring the
rural locations and are often expensive. Under original list there is education gap, income
gap, infrastructure gap, gender gap, age gap and language gap. Another list is called
revised list, we find income gap, infrastructure gap, gender gap, education gap, age gap,
language gap which is a content divide and lastly is accessibility it is also called disability.
C. Age
According to a study carried out by the South African internet users and persons ages 15
to 29 41% uses the internet daily and older respondents, especially in the 45 to 59-year-
old category 20% use the internet once a month. It is clear from this study that digital divide
exists between age groups because the youth is more exposed to technology or internet
and are willing to use it, whereas older people are resistant to change and avoid the use
of technology.
D. IT Literacy
The ability to use IT for a range of purposes, and the knowledge of how and why IT can
be used as key resource. For example, thus far policy has emphasized getting computers
and internet into the schools, but these efforts have been incomplete and inequitable.
Incomplete because teachers are not trained and supported to integrate technology into
what they do. It is clear that authorities in South Africa have to prioritise literacy to both
teachers and learners to successfully bridge the digital divide gap.
EUP1501 Final Portfolio Submission
, Munjedzi Ndaba Student Nr.11119888
The inclusion of the above factors was motivated by the lack of coverage from my fellow
students.
WORD COUNT: 373
EUP1501 Final Portfolio Submission
