The role of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in the Hammarsdale Township Economy

The study examines the impact of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) on the township economy in the Hammarsdale area. Hammarsdale is a township in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Itis semi semi-rural area based in the western part of eThekwini municipality classified as an underdeveloped with poor community.Critical to the reason of the study is the continuous growth of both formal and informal enterprises in the township creating an opportunity for an enabler to formalise and link the township enterprise to the externalandformalisedindustries.The study aimsto investigate the role that information and technology can play in improving the township's economic turnover and the growth of LED. Key objectives examinedthe access to ICT infrastructure within the township of Hammarsdale. They investigated the understanding and use of the ICT services importingbusinesses and tradersinside the township and external businesses. Examine the need to develop ICT hubs within the township topromote businessenterprises trading with and within the township. The study analysed a selected sample of businesses, N=260 that respondedto a questionnaire regardingICT as atool to grow their business. The sample comprised amixof businesses, including transport, retail and small street vendors. Key findings of this study highlighted limitedaccess to ICT infrastructure within townships, the need for training and development to promote ICT by business practitionersand a need to fund and create ICT hubs that will promote the use of ICT in the economic growth of Hammarsdale.