Slow but optimistic growth of internet among South Africa’s poorInternet cafes provide many people in developing nations with their first experience of Web and e-mail. In South Africa, Mkululi Bolo walked away from a journalism career to set up an Internet café in his hometown. Bolo is not looking to make money. “I am just someone who wants to promote the use of the Internet, to encourage the people of Mdantsane to be part of the information age,” he said.
Bolo’s effort is part of a slow but optimistic growth of Internet use in South Africa. By the end of 2002, one in 14 South Africans will have net access. This is better than current access, but still a disappointing contrast to the one in two access enjoyed by countries such as America, Canada, South Korea and Hong Kong. Experts say that Internet cafes or online community centers are only a small part in solving the digital divide. Connecting schools, they say, is critical to the long-term growth of the Internet in South Africa.
Date: Monday, June 24, 2002
Web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2057000/2057711.stm
Tags: digital divide
