How Information and Communication Technologies Empower Disadvantaged Communities in Cape Town, South Africa

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the * potential to empower people living in disadvantaged communities. ICTs are regarded as a powerful agent for a variety forms of empowerment. ICTs are, thus, potent development enablers for the advancement of their development process and for providing individuals with tools for self-empowerment and circumvention of inequalities. This paper reports on a study of the impact of ICTs on empowering people living in disadvantaged communities in Cape Town. The study used qualitative methods and data were gathered by observations, in-depth interviews, and field notes. The study used Choice Framework as a theoretical lens. The findings of the study confirm that ICTs may have positive empowerment outcomes with choice itself being the primary outcome. Individuals' freedoms and capabilities are enhanced and are able to achieve the life they desire. However, ICTs on their own do not provide empowerment; they have to be contextualized. Further, a number of challenges still deter the uptake and impact of ICTs. These include lack of awareness of existing ICTs and their benefits, technological and general illiteracy or lack of adequate skills to exploit ICTs, language limitations, plus discourses and affordability. Consequently, human capacity for ICT consumption has to be enhanced to secure empowerment through ICTs.