Theoretical framework for government information service delivery to deep rural communities in South Africa

Abstract

This paper reports on a study to determine the information requirements of communities in deep rural areas on government services and how this information can be made available to them. The study then proposes an e-government theoretical framework that utilizes deep rural Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to serve as access points to the government information on services available and needed by this rural community. Initially the study identifies current services provided by the government to the community and measures the levels of satisfaction of the community on the service provision. On the basis of the analysis of community satisfaction levels the gaps in the information needs of the deep rural community are identified. The study also identifies the challenges faced by the community in trying to access these services. A theoretical framework for government information service delivery is then proposed. This research was conducted as a case study at KwaNongoma rural area in KwaZulu-Natal, to come up with the community needs, recreation needs of three communities of KwaKhangela, KwaMememe and KwaSomkhele were identified. The community needs determination covered electricity, water, education, housing, financing and health to name but a few.