Assignment 1: Discussions on (Chapter 1. Understanding Development: Bridging the
Digital Divide)
Introduction
The digital divide is the difference in access to technology that exists between different
individuals, households, businesses, and geographical locations at differing
socioeconomic levels (psu.pb.unizin).
TYPES OF DIGITAL DIVIDE in South Africa
• Racial segregations
• Infrastructure
• Education
• Income
Factors Influencing the South African Digital Divide
Racial segregations: In South Africa, apartheid laws imposed a culture of inequality against
the majority, non-white South Africans, advancing racial inequality. Simultaneously, the
digital divide is widening along very particular racial lines.
The gap in computer usage between white and non-white families widened by 32.9%.
When contrasted to those in metropolitan areas, people in non-white rural Provinces (also
known as Bantustan) do not have access to the Internet.
The same thing happens to the isolated city dwellers, resulting in social
isolation(journals.sagepub).
Infrastructure: lack of telecommunications infrastructure impacts may still be seen today,
with the majority of South African still living in poverty. In post-South Africa, regulations
were implemented, and the non-white institution was "ridden with substandard
infrastructure and physical facilities, and universities also endured financing discrepancies
in favour of white institutions( Amnesty International South Africa).
The digital divide in the nation comprises inadequate ICT infrastructure and skills, as well
as low, costly bandwidth (OECD). Some previously oppressed institutions may still be
vulnerable since many of the transformation initiatives established have not been
adequately implemented.
Education: The digital inequality gap is expanding as a result of rising illiteracy rates.
Households with greater levels of education are more likely to utilise computers and the
Internet than those with no education(Mass Communication and Society, 14:216–235,
2011).
The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the impact of the digital divide in education, with
instructors and students being left out of the loop due to a lack of adequate technology
and digital skills(Issue 82,journals.ukzn).
Digital Divide)
Introduction
The digital divide is the difference in access to technology that exists between different
individuals, households, businesses, and geographical locations at differing
socioeconomic levels (psu.pb.unizin).
TYPES OF DIGITAL DIVIDE in South Africa
• Racial segregations
• Infrastructure
• Education
• Income
Factors Influencing the South African Digital Divide
Racial segregations: In South Africa, apartheid laws imposed a culture of inequality against
the majority, non-white South Africans, advancing racial inequality. Simultaneously, the
digital divide is widening along very particular racial lines.
The gap in computer usage between white and non-white families widened by 32.9%.
When contrasted to those in metropolitan areas, people in non-white rural Provinces (also
known as Bantustan) do not have access to the Internet.
The same thing happens to the isolated city dwellers, resulting in social
isolation(journals.sagepub).
Infrastructure: lack of telecommunications infrastructure impacts may still be seen today,
with the majority of South African still living in poverty. In post-South Africa, regulations
were implemented, and the non-white institution was "ridden with substandard
infrastructure and physical facilities, and universities also endured financing discrepancies
in favour of white institutions( Amnesty International South Africa).
The digital divide in the nation comprises inadequate ICT infrastructure and skills, as well
as low, costly bandwidth (OECD). Some previously oppressed institutions may still be
vulnerable since many of the transformation initiatives established have not been
adequately implemented.
Education: The digital inequality gap is expanding as a result of rising illiteracy rates.
Households with greater levels of education are more likely to utilise computers and the
Internet than those with no education(Mass Communication and Society, 14:216–235,
2011).
The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the impact of the digital divide in education, with
instructors and students being left out of the loop due to a lack of adequate technology
and digital skills(Issue 82,journals.ukzn).
