International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 9, No. 3 (2013)

E-social Astuteness skills for ICT-supported equitable prosperity and a capable developmental state in South Africa

Zoran Mitrovic, University of the Western Cape
Wallace J Taylor, The Information Society Institute
Mymoena Sharif, e-Skills Institute
Walter T Claassen, Research Network for e-Skills
Harold Wesso, e-Skills Institute

Abstract
Over 350 national and international delegates at the 2nd e-Skills Summit and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global ICT Forum on Human Capital Development have agreed that the e-skilling agenda in South Africa is making a “profound difference” but still not sufficient to build a capable developmental state. The delegates suggested that for positive impact in addressing inequality, poverty and joblessness - a new approach to e-skilling was needed. It was generally agreed that some “soft” skills were needed to help people successfully apply e-skills to benefit their everyday life. These skills were identified as e-astuteness and e-social astuteness. The objective of this study is to provide the conceptual clarity of these two terms, i.e. the general aim of this study is a theory building around these two concepts. The findings of this study confirmed that concepts of e-astuteness and e-social astuteness, together with e-skills, can be useful in addressing the South Africa’s major developmental agenda as articulated in the national developmental strategies.

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