Communication for reconstruction and development: The information highway as basic infrastructure in the new South Africa∗

The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necesarily reflect those of the International Development Research Centre.

Abstract

South Africa finds itself on the cusp of two revolutions: the first, a social revolution set in motion by South Africa's first democratic elections in April 1994; and the second, the information revolution, which promises to restructure the way people everywhere live and work. Faced with the Government of National Unity's massive task of providing basic infrastructure, health services and education to a disempowered majority, can South Africa afford to allocate precious resources to an Information Highway? Will an Information Highway erect yet another barrier between rich and poor, creating a technological elite? This paper examines the current situation in South Africa and explores the context in which South Africa might profit from an Information Highway.

Notes

The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necesarily reflect those of the International Development Research Centre.