Vision and Practice: The South African Information Society Experience

AbstractInternational and national data made available during the past few years indicate access to and use of information and communication technology (ICT) and services is declining in South Africa. In the past, South Africa led African countries in terms of ICT infrastructure development and access. However, more recent ICT statistics indicate other African countries, such as Nigeria, Mauritius, and Tunisia are advancing faster than South Africa. The World Economic Forum Global Information and Communication Report (2012) states the sub-Saharan African region still has the least developed ICT infrastructure in the world, and has a severe lack of ICT skills. Having considered the Southern African ICT infrastructure deficiencies, this article captures and evaluates ICT policy and regulatory interventions instituted by South Africa toward the creation of an information society (IS). This article provides a brief historical background on ICT access and use in South Africa, identifies stakeholders engaged in transforming South Africa into an information society, and evaluates South Africa's progress toward becoming an information society by comparing levels of public access to, and usage of, ICT in South Africa with that of selected African countries and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries.Keywordsdigital inclusion, digital illiteracy, information society, technology access, e-skills, e-skilling, Internet economyIntroductionThe main objective of this article is to assess the progress South Africa has made toward becoming an information society. Local telecommunications policy and sector analysts, academics, and information and communication technology (ICT) policy-makers have, over the past few years, expressed concern in the media about the chronic digital divide in South Africa, which has a negative impact on progress in becoming an information society. This article chronicles the development of an information society in South Africa by providing a comprehensive analysis of key ICT indicators that form the basis of an information society with the purpose of understanding whether these indicators have contributed considerably to national attempts to reduce the burdensome digital divide. The article features the ICT Development Index (IDI), structured by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as an information-society measuring and benchmarking tool. In the final analysis, this article constitutes a major input to the digital divide and universal access to ICT policy debates, and records the historical development of South Africa as an information society since early 2000. This history can better inform present ICT policy makers about which ICT services require their attention and development as well as future industry policy directives and the implementation thereof.The article also provides international views on the status of South Africa as an information society. Such views also have to alert national ICT policy makers, more especially since these views indicate South Africa is backtracking, rather than improving, with regard to ICT infrastructure development. In this regard, the 2012 World Economic Forum (WEF) "Networked Readiness" Report of 142 countries states thatdespite counting on one of the most solid political and regulatory environments (23rd), and better framework conditions for entrepreneurs and innovation (50th) in the SubSaharan African region, South Africa at 72nd place, is not yet leveraging the potential benefits associated with ICT. (e-Skills Institute, 2012, p. 2)Additionally, the fact that South Africa is no longer the African leader in ICT infrastructure and access, when compared to countries such as Nigeria (as South Africa used to be in the early to mid-2000s), also has caused more concern regarding South Africa's stagnant status as an information society.South African ICT data indicate limited access and use of most technology, except mobile phones. …