The much maligned e-Tolls in Gauteng will drive the uptake of eLearning because companies want to cut down on travelling and accommodation costs. Be that as it may be, travelling in other African countries will increase rapidly as South African companies are establishing operations in those African countries. Both the reluctance to pay e-Tolls and travelling in other African countries will push up the adoption of eLearning. The rollout of telecommunications infrastructure will also contribute to the adoption of eLearning in South African organisations. Until about four years ago, there was no fibre in South Africa except for Telkom’s diginet and ATM.
Deregulation in South Africa has opened up the market and now more than seven companies are laying fibre. Several projects will open up the South African Internet market; these include the completion of the two national fibre rings by Fiberco and the MTN, Neotel and Vodacom partnership as well as the unbundling of Telkom Local Leased Circuits. New infrastructure in the form of fibre and undersea cables will bring down Internet costs in South Africa substantially and this will boost the uptake of eLearning. As IITPSA members, we should influence and take advantage of the Continuing Professional Development opportunities presented by eLearning.
Dagada (PMIITPSA) is the President of IITPSA
His Twitter handle is @Rabelani_Dagada
