Internet of Hope: Perceptions of Internet in marginalised communities of the Cape of Good Hope.

Abstract

Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain (K&MP) are amongst the poorest communities in Cape Town – South Africa. These communities are plagued with social ills (poverty, crime, abuses, maladies, etc.). In addition, both these communities have very low levels of Internet penetration, with access driven mainly through public access points. Given the impetus of both national and regional policy to promote information society goals, the local government of the city of Cape Town is contemplating taking affordable internet access to these communities. This paper explores the preparedness of K&MP to adopt and use the Internet. Qualitative data was gathered in order to read a prediction of Intention to adopt and use Internet on the basis of three conceptual elements: experience of accessing and using computers and the Internet, the perceived usefulness of Internet, and the hope of betterment as a result of using Internet. The key findings suggested that despite not being sufficiently exposed to computers and the Internet, K&MP residents are keen to adopt and use the Internet at home mainly on the basis of their perceived usefulness and the hope they have in the future. These findings have theoretical and practical significance as they suggest a broadening of the scope of technology adoption research to also consider “Hope” as a determinant of intention to use the internet; and as they inform policy making about the change in mentality towards ICTs despite an inadequate prior exposure to the Internet.