Janneke Mostert

Challenges and opportunities of e‐government in South Africa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present challenges and opportunities of e‐government implementation in South Africa with special reference to service delivery and implications for libraries.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on an in‐depth literature review from government documents, presidential state of the nation addresses, global and nation reports on e‐government, and reports on service delivery concerns in South Africa.Findings – The Government of South Africa has put in place enabling policies, poverty alleviation programmes, ICT infrastructures and regulatory frameworks which as yet have not been effectively leveraged to enhance service delivery to its citizens. Furthermore, libraries have yet to make any attempts to benefit from the emergence of e‐government in South Africa.Practical implications – There is a need to infuse an e‐government ethos in poverty alleviation programmes in order to enhance service delivery. At the moment there is a lack of synergy between the two ...

Information seeking behaviour : a conceptual framework

The concepts defining information, information needs, information seeking and information use have undergone significant evolution since they were first introduced. A number of information seeking and retrieval studies seem to focus on these concepts, albeit in different ways. It is widely understood that concepts form the basis for describing and explaining phenomena and processes in a field of study. Within the field of Information Science, many of the concepts used need to be understood in terms of research context, as a variety of meanings can be attached to most concepts. The article specifically aims to review major studies (e.g. Wilson 1981, 1996; Krikelas 1983; Ellis 1989; Kuhlthau 1991) and information searching and retrieval (Ingwersen 1996; Choo, Detlor and Turnbull 1999, 2000) that focus on these concepts for greater clarity and an understanding of their relationship and application in LIS research. This in turn may be of interest to researchers and students within this field. The article concludes that context should be the foundation for any research within this field, with the observation that many of the models discussed describe general information seeking behavior, without catering for variations.

Diffusing information for democracy: an insight of the South African Parliament

Traces the relationship between democracy and access to information among parliamentarians. Investigates the South African parliamentary situation concerning information‐seeking patterns among parliamentarians, as well as their ability to trace information sources. The paper concludes that democracy can only be sustained if information is freely available, and utilised to its fullest potential by the legislators so as to be enabled to actively participate in all the parliamentary functions.

Information seeking behaviour of orphaned and vulnerable children's caregivers in Namibia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine how the caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia seek information to ensure their own and the childrens survival.Design/methodology/approach – The research was conducted through focus group discussions in the Ohangwena (rural) and Khomas regions (urban). Purposive sampling was used to identify key informants with the assistance of social workers and community leaders.Findings – Disparities between rural and urban areas in terms of information access and use were found. For example, the rural dwellers expressed need for information on educational support, psychological and counselling services, childcare, and job opportunities. In urban areas, educational support and the establishment of small businesses featured as prominent needs. Radio, traditional leaders, regional councillors, friends and relatives were identified as channels of information in Ohangwena, while in Khomas, friends and relatives, community leaders, and regional councill...

Access to and Utilization of Information and Communication Technologies by Agricultural Researchers and Extension Workers in Zimbabwe

Studies have shown that any information and communication technology (ICT) intervention that improves the livelihoods of poor rural families is likely to have a significant impact (direct and indirect) on enhancing agricultural production, marketing, and post-harvest activities. Notable ICT services include: online information services; communication between researchers, extension (knowledge) workers, and farmers; updates on current market information; weather forecasting; input supplies; and credit availability. The lack of up-to-date ICTs can negatively affect information access and utilization among information users. The study sought to investigate the levels of ICT access and utilization by researchers and extension workers within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development and how this affected the generation and dissemination of agricultural information among researchers and extension workers. Survey questionnaires were distributed to researchers at the various institutes in the five agro-ecological zones and to extension workers in 10 provinces. The study revealed that the role of ICTs in work and as an information channel was considered inadequate despite the indications by the majority of extension workers and researchers that they had access to ICTs. Findings on the utilization of ICTs in managing information generated by the Departments of Research and Specialist Services and Agricultural Technical and Extension Services revealed that while some ICTs were used to generate documents, most distribution of documents involved hard copies. Available ICTs included computers, printers, telephones, television, Internet, mobile phones, and fax machines, and these were considered effective in the dissemination of agricultural information, although the levels of effectiveness varied according to the resources and respondents.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCHERS AND EXTENSION WORKERS’ INFORMATION NEEDS AND CHALLENGES IN ZIMBABWE: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A PILOT STUDY

Agriculture plays an important role in the economies of many developing countries, contributing considerably to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), labour and exports. In Zimbabwe, agriculture provides an income to 75 per cent of the country’s population. The role of researchers and extension workers is thus important in this process. This article reports on a pilot study that examined the information needs and challenges of veterinary researchers in Zimbabwe. Purposive sampling was used to identify and select respondents around Harare. Although Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East were initially selected, the study was able to capture respondents from across other provinces and districts from part-time students attending Mazowe Veterinary School. A questionnaire was used to collect data, most of which was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that there were varying information needs among the respondents, with the need for information on animal health and production being the lowest, despite the majority of respondents being veterinary extension workers. Lack of resources – especially transport and information sources – was cited as a factor affecting research and extension services. The study also showed that there was poor dissemination of agricultural information between researchers and extension workers and the farmers, and this was done through various channels, traditional and modern information and communications technologies (ICTs).

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in secondary educational institutions in the uMhlathuze municipality, South Africa : an insight into their utilisation, impact, and the challenges faced

In order to cope with the demands that stem from our modern day, information-based global economy, present day school leavers need to be equipped with skills that would allow them to meaningfully contribute towards their respective working and social environments. The ability to utilise ICTs effectively is of paramount importance, as they enable individuals to continuously adapt to change and to develop the skills associated with life long learning. Recognising this, the South African government has pledged that all school children will be able to utilise ICTs by 2013. This study, which forms part of a more comprehensive study amongst both learners and staff in secondary schools in the uMhlatuze municipality, reports on ICTs and their utilisation, impact, and the challenges faced amongst learners from secondary schools in the Umhlatuze municipality. The findings reveal that while various ICTs are available in most of the schools, accessibility is still a problem. As educational tools, their impact is still negligible, and numerous challenges were identified. Yet despite these drawbacks, the learners expressed an eagerness and willingness to enhance their ICT skills and utilise the tools for their own empowerment.