THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL DIVIDE ON DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA

The digital divide can be seen as a condition that can be caused by the factors that can deprive certain citizens in a country. Some of these factors are race, age, class and geography. The purpose of this blog post is to discuss the impact of the digital divide on democracy and government of South Africa. According to (Mariscal, 2001) the digital divide refers to the gap between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard to their opportunities to access information and communication technologies (ICTs) an to their use of the internet for a wide variety of activities The Digital Divide Network (2004) defines the concept as the gap between those who have access to communication tools, such as the Internet and those who cannot. This means that digital divide can be seen as the between citizens who can afford access to the internet and those who cannot afford it. According to (Walsh, 2004) E-democracy is defined by the use of electronic information and communications technologies (ICT) to extend or improve access to information and make possible participation in democratic communities, processes and institutions. This means to use the internet in order to avail information and get the citizens participate in democratic issues. E-government is the use of technology to improve the access to and delivery of government services to benefit citizens, business partners and employees. It has the power to create a new form of public service where all public organizations deliver a modernized, integrated and seamless service for their citizen (Silcock, 2001). The benefits of e-government can be to reduce cost in rendering services, allowing citizens to access the public sector information and improving the service delivery (Kumar & Best, 2006). Looking at South African statistics of internet usage, only 2 million of South Africans are actively using the internet. Amongst these users 1, 2 million have access from their homes, an estimated 500 000 households are connected and 300 000 people are connected through public facilities. The infrastructure and the necessary hardware and software required for universal access is not available to the majority of South Africans. De Villiers (2001, 88). This shortage of resources has an effect on the government and democracy of South Africa. Meaning the implementation of e-democracy and e-government is affected badly because of lack of resources/ poverty. If the majority of South African citizens do not have access to the internet, then they will not participate to the democratic communities and they will not access the public sectors information. For example when there is elections campaign that requires South African citizens to participate, on the internet, then they would be a small amount of participation. Or for example if there is information about the government, published on the internet, it will not reach a large amount of citizens. Therefore in conclusion, the gap between those who can afford and those who can’t afford in South Africa is huge. This is a disadvantage to the South African government and democracy.   Bibliography De Villiers, S. 2001. Foreground: In A People’s Government. Cape Town: IDASA Kumar, R & Best, M. 2006. Impact and sustainability of e-government services in developing countries. Talil Nadu: Information society. Mariscal, . 2005. Digital divide in developing country. Telecommunication Silcock, R. 2001. What is E-government. Available: http://catedras.fsoc.uba.ar/rusailh/unidad%202/Silcock%202001,%20what%is20is%20E-gov.pdf [accessed 21 April 2013] Walsh, L. 2004. What is E-democracy: an introduction. Available: http://www.dev.internet-thinking.com.au/anzca-walsh.pdf. [Accessed 21april 2013]

the network society

INTRODUCTION “Mobile and wireless technology will spread the network society to the most remote places and the deepest pores of the world” (Van Dijk 2006: 59). This blog will give reasons why it is believed that the mobile technology spread all over the world. Important elements such as the definition and characteristics of the network society, the roles of the mobile technology will be discussed. Real life examples will be provided as well. THE ROLES OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY (CIO council, 2012) stated that ‘mobile technology has become a key driver throughout information technology. The use of mobile technology provides opportunities for innovation, agility and flexibility in workplace.’ In other words, mobile technology introduces new things or new ways of doing things; it provides effectiveness and quick way of working in the workplaces. This means that it is easier for companies to consider mobile technology because it would make it easier for employers and employees to communicate (send and receive) or even research information in a short period of time. Mobile technology makes it possible to access all the market data required, using a mobile phone. It has also made it more effective to conduct business by the introduction to 3G technologies, which allows the capabilities of handling video calls, browsing the internet and sharing large files. Mobile technology enables one to get breaking news as it happens. This technology also plays a great role in the education sector by enabling people to get access the internet, even in remote locations using mobile broadband. This enables students and researchers in far areas to carry out their researches using mobile technology (Mobile Phone & Broadband news, 2008). This means that mobile technology has come to make life easier for companies, students and researchers; communication and information gathering has been made more effective. Mobile technology however focuses more on individuals which is the main component of the network society’s characteristics. DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF NETWORK SOCIETY The network society, according to Van Dijk (2006; 20), can be defined a social formation with an infrastructure of social and media network enabling its prime mode of organisation at all levels (individual, group/ organisational and societal). Increasingly network links all units or parts of this formation. The characteristics of the network society are as follows; the main components are individuals, which are heterogeneous. The scale of this society is both extended and reduced and the main type of communication is increasingly mediated. The phrase network applies to the societies that exhibit two fundamental characteristics. The first is the presence in those two societies of sophistication almost exclusively digital- technologies of networked communication and information management distribution, technologies which form the basic infrastructure mediating and increasing array of social, political and economic practices. The second characteristic of network society is the reproduction and institutionalization throughout those societies of network as a basic form of human organization and relationship across a wide range of social, political and economic configurations (Barney, 2004). REAL LIFE EXAMPLES For example Midrand Graduate institute (MGI) uses Facebook to communicate and provide information to students, in which students are able to access with their mobile phones. This makes it easier for MGI to pass important messages quickly and for students to stay informed. Other examples may be when lectures and students communicate with each other through emails concerning any module information or material; and when students or researchers use their mobile phones to conduct their researches. CONCLUSION Therefore mobile and wireless technology will indeed spread the network society to the most remote places and the deepest pores of the world. With technology improving and making communication fast and easier, mobile technology will continue to grow and spread all over the world. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barney, D.D. 2004. The network society. United Kingdom: Polity Press LTD CIO Council. 2012. Government Use Of Mobile Technology. Available: http://co.gov/wp-content/upload/downloads/2012/government_mobile_technology_barriers_opportunities_and_gaps.pdf [Accessed 05 April 2012] Mobile Phone & Broadband news. 2008. Advantages of mobile technology. Available: http://www.wapalize.co.uk/advantages-of-mobile-technology/ [Accessed 05 April 2012] Van Dijk, J. 2006. The network society. London: SAGE Publications LTD

Art is his Passion

For some artists painting and drawing has always been their passion from childhood, while some artists such as Jonas Mailula, painting and drawing came as a resurrection of failed dreams. This young man, originally from Botlokwa (mathoks) did not even know he can draw, until 13 years ago when his goal to study health care did not succeed. Today Mailula obtains a Diploma in Art and design from Capricorn FET College (Seshego) and he sells paintings at the Polokwane Art Museum. His beautiful artwork reflects his roots as a young Pedi boy from Botlokwa village, it shows his childhood. He says, “My drawings are inspired by the places I have been to, where I come from and how I grew up.” If you take a closer look, you will experience a rural landscape in my drawings, he adds. One of his painting “the gate” shows where he used to herd the cows and goats as a little boy. Not only does his artwork tell a story about his childhood but also it reveals something that plays a major part in his life and his paintings, Music. Mailula has a passion for music and one of his goals is to learn how to play a guitar. He believes that music makes people come together in his community. In his paintings such as Mmapadi (kosa ya basadi), the Aspired musician and Playing the blues, he combines both his love for music with art. In conclusion, Jonas Mailula studied Art and Design because he could not succeed in studying health care but this young man enjoys mixing different paints that turn out into something breathtakingly beautiful.