THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF TELECENTRES IN BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

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INTRODUCTION

The constraints and limitations of existing information structures on developing communities (Naidoo, 2007) and their interaction with information and communication technologies are little understood in relation to social and economic development (O’Farrel et al, 2006). Without access to communication infrastructures and info-structures such as the information and communication technologies, it has always been difficult for these developing peoples to communicate with other communities and countries. Factors such as distance, time, and language are major restrictions to information and communication according to Obijiofo (2010). According to Obijiofor (2010), this inequality in access to information and communication technology has a direct link to underdevelopment and poverty.
Developing communities realise that without appropriate knowledge, they will always be dependent on other communities or countries to make a living, as this lack of information, and the consequent lack of knowledge, has led to these peoples remaining in poverty. Benjamin (2006) noted that developing countries such as Africa and her peoples can only overcome the restraints of despondency, dependency and poverty if they connect to, join in and take full advantage of information and communication technology.
In their need to escape their circumstances, these developing communities realise that information and communication technologies can provide accelerated support to their development and independence. In the context of this study, the information and communication technologies that were implemented, enabling communication supporting development for the farmers with markets, cooperations and agriculture-related organisations as well as role-players such as the various government Departments, are the computer, the telephone, Public Address system and the multifunctional printer. Addingattributes of the information and communication technologies is Ekeanyanwu (2005:54) who adds that these information and communication technologies could become “key enablers of the agri-food sector by making dynamic and real-time global level exchange of data, information and knowledge quick, interactive and easy throughout the agricultural value chain”. Researchers, theorists and academics (Feuerstein, 1986; McCarthy, 2006; Roman and Colle, 2006; Colle & Roman, 2010; World Bank, 2012; FAO, 2013) are of the opinion that a strategic solution to introduce information and communication technologies to the developing communities, is by means of a telecentre, which is based on, and therefore provides, the information and communication technologies to the rural community in order to enable the farmers to communicate by obtaining, assessing, accessing and managing much needed information for their development.

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION TO AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 EMPOWERMENT BY MEANS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
1.2.1 Research regarding small-scale irrigation schemes in South Africa
1.2.2 Background to the telecentre at the Thabina irrigation scheme
1.2.3 Brief synopsis of the background of the study
1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1.3.1 Discussion on the research objectives
1.3.2 Value regarding the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
1.4 DEMARCATION OF RESEARCH
1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.5.1 Connotations compared to the South African context
1.5.2 Development
1.5.3 Development Support Communication (C)
1.5.4 Information provision
1.5.5 Information and Communication Technologies
1.5.6 The Internet
1.5.7 Technophobia
1.5.8 Telecentre
1.6 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
1.7 RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
1.8 STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY
1.9 SUMMARY
CHAPTER 2 – DEFINING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AND EXPLORING ITS ROL IN DEVELOPMENT
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 DEFINING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
2.2.1 Varieties of information and communication technologies
2.2.2 Services provided by information and communication technologies
2.3 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND DEVELOPMENT
2.3.1 Characteristics, applicability and usages of information and communication technologies
2.3.2 The digital divide
2.3.3 Bridging the digital divide
2.3.4 The role of information and communication technologies in the digital divide
2.4 WHAT IS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY EMPLOY INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
2.4.1 Infrastructure
2.4.1.1 Role of the
2.4.2 Infostructure
2.5 STATE OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFOSTRUCTURE GLOBALLY, IN AFRICA AND SOUTH AFRICA
2.5.1 Infrastructure globally
2.5.2 Infostructure globally
2.5.3 Infrastructure in Africa
2.5.4 Infostructure in Africa
2.5.5 Infrastucture in South Africa
2.5.6 Infostructure in South Africa
2.6 ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
2.6.1 Stance of information and communication technologies in the rural, agricultural sector in South Africa
2.6.2 Initiatives supporting the utilisation of information and communication technologies in the agricultural sector
2.7 SUMMARY
CHAPTER 3 – THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF TELECENTRES IN BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 DEFINING THE ETHNOGRAPHIC PARADIGM
3.3 TELECENTRES: THE CONCEPT
3.3.1 Functions of telecentres in order to reach the aim of telecentres
3.3.2 Importance of a participatory needs assessment toidentify local needs
3.3.3 How to become a productive receiver and manager of applicable information for development
3.3.4 The function of the telecentre in a multi-cultural society
3.4 INFORMATION EXTENDED TO THE AGRICULTURAL TELECENTRE IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
3.4.1 Conveying appropriate information for development to the agricultural telecentre
3.4.2 Compilation and packaging of information for the agricultural telecentre
3.5 THE AGRICULTURAL TELECENTRE AND DEVELOPMENT
3.5.1 Challenges facing the agricultural telecentre
3.5.2 Advantages of the agricultural telecentre
3.5.3 Taking into consideration the indigenous culture
3.5.4 Financial support to the agricultural telecentre
3.5.5 Comparing the Thabina telecentre to telecentres found in literature, with special reference to sustainability
3.6 ESTABLISHING A SUSTAINABLE TELECENTRE
3.6.1 Factors to be taken into account when establishing a sustainable telecentre
3.6.2 The potential of telecentres in assisting development
3.6.3 Barriers that hamper access to tele-services in rural areas
3.7 MAIN PURPOSES OF RURAL-AGRICULTURAL TELECENTRES
3.8 CHALLENGES OF THE RURAL-AGRICULTURAL TELECENTRE
3.9 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS DRAWN AND LESSONS LEARNED
CHAPTER 4 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 SECTION I
4.2.1 PROJECT PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR THE SET-UP OF A TELECENTRE
4.2.2 Methods and theories for the creation of a framework for a participatory project
4.2.3 Theories according to which the processes
4.2.4 Identifying a research instrument for the evaluation of a participatory projec4.2.4.1 The benefits of participatory monitoring
4.2.5 Data collection methods to evaluate a participatory
4.2.6 Sample design 219
4.2.7 Determining the sample size of farmers for a structured interview in order to assess whether the farmers d need a telecentre
4.2.8 Data analysis
4.3 PROJECT AND RESEARCH: PARTICIPATORY THEORIES TO USE FOR THE CREATION OF A GENERIC FOUR-PHASE PARTICIPATORY PROCESS
4.4 OVERVIEW OF THE GENERIC FOUR-PHASE PARTICIPATORY PROCESS
4.5 APPLICATION OF THE GENERIC FOUR-PHASE PARTICIPATORY PROCESS ON A PARTICIPATORY TELECENTRE PROJECT
CHAPTER 5 – PRE-ESTABLISHMENT PHASE