South Africa has the biggest number of Internet users in the SADC region which are estimated at 4.6 million. Most people in the country gain access to new ICTs mainly through shared public access points such as cyber cafes, public libraries, and telecentres (Thlabela & Roodt, 2006; Jensen, 2004, Mutula, 2003). Because of a pervasive digital divide due to widespread poverty and a limited telecommunications infrastructure, access to the Internet at home is still very low and limited mainly to the rich. Therefore, public access to the Internet in South Africa is the epicenter of ICTs policies to bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access. Universal access is seen as key to participatory democracy and development for all its 45 million citizens. To achieve this, the country has a well co-ordinated policy of universal access that seeks to create an enabling environment that pools efforts by all state and non-state telecoms players (Voslo, 2005; Thlabela & Roodt; 2006). Through the UniversaL Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA), the government organizes and co-ordinates all national connectivity initiatives that seek to bridge all forms of the digital divide. For example, in 2006 the government and other agencies built a total of 689 cyber cafes in all the 9 provinces of the country so as to enhance shared community access to the Internet. Established telecommunications operators such as Telkom, MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and others also contribute to the Universal Access Fund which is used to generate capital to boost public access levels. Through cyber Cafes, mostly owned by private individuals, municipalities, public agencies, NGOs, and churches, people can access a range of telecommunications services such as the Internet, telephony, faxing, photocopying, and printing services. While government policy may be paying dividends in terms of the roll out of ICTs to communities to ensure physical access, it is not very clear how the political economy of the cybercafé industry is actually influencing access and use patterns. Consistent access and use depends largely on whether people can afford cyber café charges and on whether cyber café facilities are available and easily accessible in their communities.

