While the latest statistics from research group Nielsen NetRatings show SA's Internet use is surging, observers say this proves only a limited population segment has Internet access.
According to the research group, May saw 3.9 million active South African unique browsers, a surge of 121% from 1.8 million during the same month two years ago. Page impressions grew by 129% during the period, to 207 million from 91 million impressions registered in May 2005.
The company compiles the data on behalf of SA's Online Publishers' Association, which has some of the country's major publishers as members.
Alex Burmaster, a Nielsen NetRatings Internet analyst, says SA has seen phenomenal expansion of more than 50% in each of the past two years. In more developed countries, especially those in the northern hemisphere, growth is beginning to plateau.
Left behind
Internet Society of SA chairman Alan Levin says the survey findings support a long-held belief that more than 80% of the 44 million South Africans have probably never had an Internet experience.
"Part of the reason for this is because connectivity is still expensive. Another part is due to a general lack of awareness of the Internet, and other reasons are the lack of science and mathematical skills among the population," he says.
Hillel Shrock, Internet Solutions business solutions director, says the actual number of people accessing the Internet from SA is probably smaller than the data suggests.
"Many people within the high-end corporate arena, for example, probably have Internet access at work and at home, and that will add to the numbers of unique browsers, but cut down on the number of people actually accessing the Internet," he says.
Shrock says telecommunications policy is only part of the reason. He agrees with Levin's comments about the lack of awareness and dearth of mathematics and science skills among the general population.
Language opportunity
Last year in Parliament, Department of Communications director general Lyndall Shope-Mafole bemoaned the lack of ICT awareness among the population. She also pointed out that most Internet content was published in languages other than the mother tongues found in the country.
The survey partly confirms her comments, as it shows English is the primary language spoken at home by 52% of South African Internet users. Afrikaans speakers make up 28% of the Internet population, followed by Zulu with 5%, Xhosa at 4% and Setswana at 3%. The other six official language groups make up 8% of the user base.
Burmaster says: "While the South African Internet is experiencing huge growth in this area, the opportunity for hyper-audience growth in the future lies in targeting African language speakers."
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