An assessment of the Western-Cape Provincial Government information policy process and its lesson to Eritrea

Date
2004-12
Authors
Garza, Daniel G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study assesses the information policy of the Western Cape provincial government- of South Africa, with special emphasis on ICT for development in the general context of the global Information society. It is aimed at getting key lessons together for the Eritrean ICT policy development. The methodology used in this study include review of the literature on the ICT policy in Western Cape, South Africa and beyond, conducting interviews with key actors in Western Cape Provincial Government and site visits to Multi-Purpose Community Centres. The study analyses institutions, ICT policy processes, methodologies and challenges. The study concludes that although developing an ICT policy remains fundamental for developing countries like Eritrea, the main challenge lies in integrating new and old technologies into national development priorities. This cannot be achieved without building blocks such as adequate infrastructure, human and financial resources, and commitment to succeed in information age. A series of recommendations were put forward for Eritrea based on the analysis of the policy process and progress in South Africa in general and Western Cape Province in particular.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word die beleid ten opsigte van inligting in die Wes-Kaapse provinsiale regering van Suid-Afrika bestudeer, met die klem veral op Inligting en Kommunikasie Tegnologie vir ontwikkeling in die algemene konteks van- die wereldwye inligting gemeenskap. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om sleutellesse te leer wat kan help met die ontwikkeling van 'n beleid t.o.v. Inligting en Kommunikasie in Eritrea. Die metodologie wat gebruik is sluit in 'n oorsig van die literatuur oor die IKT (ICT) beleid in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika, en in ander lande; onderhoude met sleutelfigure in die Wes-Kaapse provinsiale regering; en besoeke aan Veeldoelige Gemeenskap Sentrums. Die studie ontleed instansies, IKT beleid prosesse, metodologie en uitdagings. In die studie word daar bevind dat, alhoewel die ontwikkeling van 'n Inligting en Kommunikasie beleid van fundamentele belang is vir ontwikkelende lande soos Eritrea, die hoofuitdaging daarin Iê om ou en nuwe tegnologie te integreer in die nasionale ontwikkelings prioriteite. Dit kan nie gedoen word sonder die boublokke van genoegsame infrastruktuur, menslike en finansiele hulpbronne, en verbintenis tot sukses in die inligtingsera nie. 'n Reeks aanbevelings word gemaak vir Eritrea, gegrond op die ontleding van die beleid, proses en vooruitgang van Suid-Afrika in die geheel, en veral van die Wes-Kaap.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
Keywords
Local government -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Information policy, Information policy -- South Africa, Information policy -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Information technology, Information technology -- South Africa, Information technology -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Information policy -- Eritrea, Information technology -- Eritrea, Dissertations -- Information science, Theses -- Information science
Citation