This dissertation acknowledges that despite the global initiatives towards an inclusive
information society, there are still some disparities in how communities access and use
the information and communication technologies (ICTs) that are available. These
disparities, or digital divide, have been interpreted and addressed from different
interrelated theoretical view points. The provision of ICTs through public access centres
has been widely applauded as one of the strategies to enable especially disadvantaged
communities to participate in today‟s information led economy.
Botswana has adopted the just noted approach. The country has also developed
policies and supportive infrastructure to enable especially the rural communities to be
part of the global information society. It is however regrettable that access and usage of
ICT‟s is still notably low in rural communities. The concern over this worrisome situation
motivated this study to explore the factors that enabled or inhibited access and use of
ICTs that were available to the Letlhakeng community through public access centres.
This descriptive case study was conducted in four sequential stages: designing,
conducting the research, data analysis and development of conclusions. The study was
characterized by a continued comparative analysis of data which was collected through
interviews; observation and review of related documents from the service providers; the
users and non users of the services.
The Letlhakeng community had access to ICTs through individually owned stand alone
centres and from government supported centres. These centres were used by both
residents of Letlhakeng and people from nearby villages. The factors that promoted or
inhibited access and use of the available ICTs differed within and between these
communities. Despite the observed digital divide, the Letlhakeng community used the
ICT public centres to access social services. There is a need to develop strategies to
increase access to more technologies in the village and to equip the community
members with skills to profitably use the technologies.