Page 67 - Research & Innovation Report 2020

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES

which will appear in Digital Literacy, Inclusivity and Sustainable
Development in Africa, to be published in 2021/22.

The book seeks to provide answers to a number of important
questions, such as, the current status of digital literacy in African
nations; the level of digital skills development and digital inclusion
for different strata in African societies; the future of work in Africa
connected to digital literacy skills; how the COVID-19 crisis has
impacted the digital gap globally, particularly in developing
countries and how libraries can support digital literacy.

“In our research, we reflected on COVID-19 and lockdown, and Prof Syden Mishi Dr Godfred Anakpo
how this affected students and workers who were confined to
their homes, some without a computer in their household. At our government schools in South Africa. Dr Anakpo says: “We strongly
university and several others, these students were supplied with recommended a coordinated effort between government and
laptops, but another issue was lack of access to the internet. In the private sector to address the challenges highlighted in the
normal times, many depend on their local internet café, community e-readiness reports, where government provides a supportive
library or place of study for internet access, and this was not policy environment, financial commitment, digital opportunity and
available during lockdown,” says Prof Mishi. infrastructure, in partnership with the private sector.”

The researchers say that COVID-19 should be used as an In their book chapter they write: “We need to connect the
opportunity to redress these inequalities, especially in rural schools unconnected people. For instance, in the last decade China has
with no internet and no devices. “During the pandemic, learners made it a major priority to connect all villages to the internet.
were told to learn from home, but so many of them do not have This was achieved through a collaboration between the central
digital devices, access or electricity. Compare this to a learner with government, local government and telecommunications industry.
a device, internet and electricity; the learning advantage and lack Africa could achieve the same in several ways, such as harnessing
of it are totally different worlds.” television white space technology to provide universal access to
the internet, public-private partnerships, technology budgeting
Dr Anakpo adds: “When learners lose learning time over and government subsidies, where internet connection and its
the course of a year or more, the gap becomes even more related services are made affordable.”
pronounced, not only now but also into the future when their lack
of digital literacy and the associated access to opportunities will Prof Mishi adds: “It’s very important to re-assess how the SETAs’
continue to haunt them. professional and vocational training budgets are being used, to
make sure every rand is being spent on the right things, such as
“There is also a massive digital gender gap and if we talk about digital literacy. TVETs and academic institutions can also play a key
inclusive economic growth we have to address this, starting with role here and ensure that every student is digitally literate, in order
education,” says Prof Mishi. to produce graduates with the skills required in the workplace.”

They refer to the eReady ICT Maturity Assessment Tool that the The researchers conclude that while there is no silver bullet, we
Centre for Community Technologies (CCT) at Nelson Mandela have to conscientiously address the digital gap now and develop
University helped to develop. In 2020 this easily downloadable a system of digital literacy and fair access for all – or suffer the
app was used to assess and evaluate the e-readiness of consequences of deeper inequality and even more unemployment.

““If not addressed, the digital and inequality
gap between the well-to-do and the poorer will

continue to widen. ”

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