THE TRANSFORMATIVE ROLE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY WITHIN A SOUTHERN AFRICA CONTEXT

Abstract

The potential for Information Technology (IT) to transform and sustain any social sector has been remarked upon widely. The role of IT in enhancing sustainable development was recognized at worldwide forums like World Summit of Information Society (WSIS), 2007). The objective of the paper is to discuss sustained engagement by institutions and individuals in Nordic and Southern African Universities that could benefit from a stronger emphasis on IT and opportunities and challenges associated with such innovations. A welfare development methodology serves as underpinning construct to contextualize and operationalize the vision towards a progressive multilateral cooperation between developed and Southern African countries. As technology advancement continues to drive economic growth, in some cases, it unleashes disruptive change. Policy makers as well as business leaders therefore need to identify potentially disruptive technologies, and carefully consider their potential, before they exert their disruptive powers in the economy and society. Economic policies pursued by colonial governments were rather more concerned with the protection and promotion of economic interests of home country rather than the development of local economy. Such policies transformed indigenous economy and country into mere suppliers of raw materials and consumer of finished industrial products for colonial master, and did not focus on the welfare and development of indigenous communities. The paper concludes that IT integration requires careful application taking into consideration infrastructural differences between regions that could complicate or challenge the process. The paper recommends selected technologies, techniques and practices that would help organizations understand, anticipate, fulfil, and exceed the needs and expectations of their stakeholders, and thus producing lasting prosperity while preserving the natural resources for future generations