Abstract:
This paper evaluates a South African rural telecentre that may serve as a ‘best practice’ model. The
paper first provides a brief literature review of telecentres and the role of information and
communication technology in economic development. A qualitative evaluation of a case study is
presented within the context of sustainability considerations and development outcomes; that is,
showing how the telecentre has improved the lives of the rural community at Thabina. Some of
the observed economic development impacts are listed in the paper and an attempt is made to
capture the essence of the vital links between the use of information and communication
technology (technology transfer), human development, education and economic development.
