f. - UZSpace Home - University of Zululand

collaboration with other partner organisations, the network has placed ICT
equipment in over 50 Community Information Centres (CICs) in the region,
featuring World Space digital satellite radio, data adaptor cards and
computers, among other ICT-related equipment. Users are subsequently
able to download web-based text and images from the satellite without the
use of phone lines, irrespective of their geographic location
Both AfriAfya and Women'snet have contributed to the socio-economic gains
of the community through the provision of relevant information, the capacity
bUilding of the community in terms of the use of ICTs, and through creating
access to ICTs. Aside from the fact that rural women are now better
informed, those who participate overcome technophobia, have better access
to the job market, and learn skills that ease their work at home as home
makers (e.g. harnessing clean water).
9.6 ICT hindrances faced by rural women
As illustrated in chapter 7.7 and 7.8 under ICT hindrances, rural respondents
in KZN (South Africa) felt that cost (113; 56.5%), time (93; 46.5%) and
computer illiteracy (42; 21.0%) were in the list of major hindrances facing
them. In Kenya, major hindrances similarly included cost (64; 32.0%),
distance (38; 19%), computer illiteracy (32; 16%), and time (27; 13.5%).
The use of the computer/Internet accounted for an average of only 5.4% of
the respondents in rural KZN (South Africa) and a negligible 1.0% in rural
RVP (Kenya).
Clearly, problems of access and exclusion are still apparent, particularly with
regard to the use of computers and the Internet in both countries. These
views are confirmed by Marker, Wallace and McNamara (2002: 12), who
argue that poor infrastructure, the unreliability of ICTs and high costs are
major hindrances facing ICT development in developing countries. It has also
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