A critical analysis of the uses and gratifications experienced by South African users of the digital doorway

Abstract

The Digital Doorway is a computerized machine that was implemented in areas populated by disadvantaged communities throughout South Africa to promote computer literacy within these communities. Understanding the progress and satisfaction of users of the digital doorway is highly significant in capturing important facts that can be used to further improve the system in the future. This study will provide a qualitative perspective regarding the use of the machine as well as the gratifications experienced by the users from their acquired computer access and knowledge. The researchers conducted content analysis of a sample of 100 narratives in order to identify the uses and gratifications experienced by the users. The collected data was obtained from a narrative inquiry that was conducted by a research team of the Meraka Institute. The third author is a member of that team. The findings of the study extended the knowledge base regarding the users’ perspective of the machine. The project enabled the researchers to contribute to the achievement of the initial goal of the Digital Doorway namely to improve computer literacy in impoverished areas.