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Articles · Vol. 30 No. 1-2 (2005): Africa Development

NEPAD and the Digital Divide: The Case of Botswana and the Silent Marginalised Minorities

DOI: 10.4314/ad.v30i1.22217

  • Sethunya Tshepho Mphinyane
    Sethunya Tshepho Mphinyane
    Sociology Department, University of Botswana.
    Their articles →
Vol. 30 · 2005 No. 1-2 Africa Development AD

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of whether the New Partnership for Africa deve lopment (NEPAD) through its e-Africa Commission and its Science and Techno logy agenda for ICT provides for new possibilities for Africa's marginalised indi genous minorities to engage meaningfully with development processes. It questions whether NEPAD recognises the power of ICT beyond providing access to informa tion, particularly its potential as a resource for the oppressed to wage their battles for self-determination, and willing to go beyond questions of access, and address the politics of power and the Internet and other ICT. Is there likelihood in Africa, for ICTs to become new sites of resistance and oppression? The paper suggests that there is already evidence that for marginalised ethnic minorities such as the Basarwa, the San peoples of Botswana, this new forum and the Internet in particular will be yet another tool to mute their voices.

NEPAD and the Digital Divide: The Case of Botswana and the Silent Marginalised Minorities: DOI: 10.4314/ad.v30i1.22217

Cette contribution pose la question de savoir si le Nouveau partenariat pour le développement de l'Afrique (NEPAD), à travers sa Commission e-Affique et son programme de sciences et technologies pour les TIC, pourrait offrir de nouvelles possibilités aux minorités indigènes africaines marginalisées, qui leur permettraient de s'impliquer activement dans le processus de développement. L'auteur y pose la question de savoir si le NEPAD reconnaît le pouvoir des TIC au-delà du simple accès à l'information, particulièrement leur potentiel à servir de ressources aux opprimés, en leur permettant de mener un combat pour l'autodétermination; la ques tion consiste également à savoir si le NEPAD est prêt à aller au-delà de la question de l'accès, et à aborder la question du pouvoir et de l'Internet, ainsi que l'accès à d'autres TIC. Est-il possible qu'en Afrique les TIC deviennent de nouveaux centres de résistance et d'oppression? Cette présentation laisse penser qu'il est bien évident que pour les minorités ethniques marginalisées, telles que les Basarwa et les San du Botswana, ce nouveau forum et l'Internet en particulier, ne seront qu'un nouvel outil de plus destiné à taire les voix des masses.

 

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Author Biography

  • Sethunya Tshepho Mphinyane

    Sociology Department, University of Botswana.

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