Abstract:
The world of digital interactivity, of computers, of cyberspace and the "e-revolution', is
making computer literacy more indispensable than ever. There is an increasing demand
for ICT skills worldwide- South Africa is not alone in identifying shortages. The
information and communication technology in South Africa is exacerbated by emigration
on the one hand and the previously disadvantaged learners on the other hand. With an
education system that is stretched, higher education has not kept pace with information
and communication technology training in South Africa, therefore learners display a
shortcoming of basic computer skills. The purpose of this study is to emphasise the
importance of implementing computer literacy training throughout the entire learning
programme of learners at higher education institutions.
Learners randomly selected from the Faculty of Management Sciences, Vaal University
of Technology, indicated their computer literacy via questionnaires and levels of
experience. It is clear that the abilities of the learners are not sufficient to ensure that
they are computer literate or that they will be effective users in the workplace. This
study results in a powerful argument in support of the extension of continued growth in
computer usage in the workplace.
