- Title
- The impact of digital platforms and their infrastructure implementation in the rural communities of South Africa
- Creator
- Maifala, Morris Thibogang
- Subject
- Rural development -- Technological innovations
- Subject
- Transformation -- South Africa
- Date Issued
- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
- Date
- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72916
- Identifier
- vital:79277
- Description
- The proliferation of digital platforms and infrastructure has transformed various sectors across the globe, yet many rural communities in South Africa still struggle to access and benefit from these advancements. This study explores the impact of digital platforms and their supporting infrastructure on the rural community of Moruleng, located in Rustenburg, South Africa. Utilising a mixed-methods approach, the research examines how digital platforms are integrated into daily activities and the extent to which they influence socioeconomic development, education, healthcare, and local businesses in Moruleng. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews with community members, local businesses, educatorsand healthcare providers. The findings reveal that while digital platforms hold significant potential to improve access to information, economic opportunities, and essential services, infrastructural challenges such as limited internet connectivity, high costs, and lack of digital skills hinder their full utilisation. Furthermore, concerns about data privacy, the reliability of digital platforms, and access to digital literacy programmes were highlighted as barriers to the effective adoption of digital solutions. This research underscores the importance of tailored infrastructure investments and digital literacy initiatives that address the unique needs of rural communities like Moruleng. It also provides recommendations for policymakers, local government, and private sector stakeholders on fostering a digital environment that can contribute to sustainable development in rural South Africa. The study concludes that strategic digital infrastructure implementation, combined with community-based training and support, could bridge the digital divide and facilitate inclusive growth for the people of Moruleng and similar rural areas.
- Description
- Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2025
- Format
- 2025-04
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (130 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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- Visitors: 20
- Downloads: 2
Collections
NMU Business School
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | MAIFALA, M.pdf | 2 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |