HPCOS81
Assignment 3 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 8 August 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, EXPLORING THE DESIGN, USE, AND IMPACT OF COMPUTING IN SOUTH
AFRICA DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
1. INTRODUCTION
The global Covid-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted social, economic, and
technological landscapes, prompting rapid changes in how computing technologies
are designed, deployed, and used. Within this shifting context, computing systems
became central to sustaining work, education, governance, and health services. The
urgency to adapt to remote modalities ushered in a ―new normal‖ where digital
platforms and infrastructure replaced many in-person processes (Dwivedi et al.,
2020).
This research focuses on the design, use, and impact of computing technologies
during the Covid-19 crisis, with a particular emphasis on their role in South African
society. The study examines how computing innovations emerged in response to the
pandemic, the challenges users and developers encountered, and the broader
societal implications of accelerated digital transformation.
By investigating contexts such as education, small business, government services,
and cybersecurity, this study aims to generate a comprehensive understanding of
the technological and social changes driven by the pandemic. Drawing from global
and local literature, the research also seeks to contribute to debates on sustainable
computing practices, inclusive digital access, and the future of computing post-
Covid-19 (Ågerfalk et al., 2020; Davison, 2020; Pan & Zhang, 2020).
2. BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH
The Covid-19 crisis catalysed a massive digital shift, forcing individuals, institutions,
and governments to rely heavily on computing technologies for communication,
education, business continuity, and service delivery. The pandemic not only tested
the resilience of existing digital infrastructures but also revealed socio-economic
disparities in access, digital literacy, and technological readiness—especially in
developing countries like South Africa (Dwivedi et al., 2020; Papadopoulos et al.,
2020).
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 3 2025
Unique #:
Due Date: 8 August 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, EXPLORING THE DESIGN, USE, AND IMPACT OF COMPUTING IN SOUTH
AFRICA DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
1. INTRODUCTION
The global Covid-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted social, economic, and
technological landscapes, prompting rapid changes in how computing technologies
are designed, deployed, and used. Within this shifting context, computing systems
became central to sustaining work, education, governance, and health services. The
urgency to adapt to remote modalities ushered in a ―new normal‖ where digital
platforms and infrastructure replaced many in-person processes (Dwivedi et al.,
2020).
This research focuses on the design, use, and impact of computing technologies
during the Covid-19 crisis, with a particular emphasis on their role in South African
society. The study examines how computing innovations emerged in response to the
pandemic, the challenges users and developers encountered, and the broader
societal implications of accelerated digital transformation.
By investigating contexts such as education, small business, government services,
and cybersecurity, this study aims to generate a comprehensive understanding of
the technological and social changes driven by the pandemic. Drawing from global
and local literature, the research also seeks to contribute to debates on sustainable
computing practices, inclusive digital access, and the future of computing post-
Covid-19 (Ågerfalk et al., 2020; Davison, 2020; Pan & Zhang, 2020).
2. BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH
The Covid-19 crisis catalysed a massive digital shift, forcing individuals, institutions,
and governments to rely heavily on computing technologies for communication,
education, business continuity, and service delivery. The pandemic not only tested
the resilience of existing digital infrastructures but also revealed socio-economic
disparities in access, digital literacy, and technological readiness—especially in
developing countries like South Africa (Dwivedi et al., 2020; Papadopoulos et al.,
2020).
Varsity Cube 2025 +27 81 278 3372
