Factors influencing the utilization of the public Internet terminal system in two rural communities

A Coleman,M E Herselman,S J Jacobs

doi:10.4102/sajim.v10i1.8

A Coleman, M E Herselman + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v10i1.8

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Abstract

This research investigated the factors that influence the use of the public Internet terminal (PIT) system in the Taung and Ganyesa communities. The PIT system is placed in many post offices in these communities but the service is not adequately used by these rural community members. The overall objective of this study was to investigate, develop and recommend a solution for providing the rural communities of Taung and Gyanesa with a simple and effective way to access and utilize the PIT service and the information on it. A case study approach was used for the purpose of this study which gathered a number of findings, including lack of awareness of PIT services, lack of computer skills and confidence, and fear of technology. Other findings were the overloading of information on the PIT, use of language (not the mother tongue), and the slow response of the PIT system. The findings from this study led to some recommendations and a model for PIT use in rural communities.

Highlights

Introduction and orientationProviding information to rural communities in Africa for rural development can best be achieved through information technologies, especially those of electronic network and digital storage (CTA 1996)
To move and implement this concept of the provision of information and communication technology (ICT) for rural development, the South African government has enshrined in its ICT Charter (2004) the attempt to ensure that all its citizens have the opportunity to access and effectively use ICT
The following were found as factors that influenced the community users when engaging with the public Internet terminals (PIT) system: z Overload of information on the Web of the PIT system (73%) z The absence of an appropriate conceptual model of the participants (69%) z The use of language that was unfamiliar on the Web (78%) z The slow response of the PIT system (70%) z Lack of awareness of the PIT services to the community people

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and orientationProviding information to rural communities in Africa for rural development can best be achieved through information technologies, especially those of electronic network and digital storage (CTA 1996). South Africa’s rural communities are no exception. To move and implement this concept of the provision of information and communication technology (ICT) for rural development, the South African government has enshrined in its ICT Charter (2004) the attempt to ensure that all its citizens have the opportunity to access and effectively use ICT. The South African government, through the Department of Information and Communication (DoC), in partnership with the South Africa Post Office (SAPO), has rolled out public Internet terminals (PIT) in many post offices as part of the Department of Communication’s national projects (DoC 2003). The fundamental objective of PIT is to create a communication infrastructure through which the public will have access to government information and services. The public will be empowered to have electronic access to information and communication via electronic mail

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