Original Articles

Extent of Access to Information and Communications Technology by the Rural Population of South Africa

Published in: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development
Volume 5 , issue 1 : Building innovation driven economies in Africa , 2013 , pages: 71–84

DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2013.782144

Author(s): Moses Mefika Sithole Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), South Africa , Cheryl Moses Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), , Yul Derek Davids Population Health, Health Systems and Innovation (PHHSI), , Saahier Parker Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), , Julien Rumbelow Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), , Neo Molotja Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), , Demetre Labadarios Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII),

Keywords: Digital media , Digital divide , Disparities , Diffusion , Rural South Africa

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Abstract

This paper investigates the trends in access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in rural compared to the urban areas of South Africa. Using data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) covering the period from 2003 to 2009, the study found that access to both the ‘older’ and the ‘newer’ forms of ICTs has remained significantly lower (P < 0.001) in rural areas compared to urban areas. The paper then examines these trends in the context of the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) policies and strategies on the diffusion of science and technology in South Africa.

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