Comments on: Oh what racially tangled webs we weave

By: Nico de Wet

Nico de Wet — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:12:42 +0000

In response to the question raised, namely “why are there so few black people in this industry to begin with?” I think the answer is obvious. Firstly to mention that I spent 7 years studying computer science at UCT, so I speak with some authority. There are simply not enough black graduates coming through, those that do are snapped up by corporates immediately and in most cases before post graduate level due to the increadibly high demand. Now I know this post and the one it refers to is concerning “Web 2.0″ but the problem remains the same. Those that are qualified are out there with great jobs and my guess is they are not necessarily Web 2.0 consultants.

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By: khathutshelo

khathutshelo — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:55:55 +0000

When you look at it, we got a massive cellphone mass in the country. However, browsing on a mobile is not in anyways comparable to a computer, but then again beggars cannot demand the right to choose.

Access to information is the primary thing. I have been able to follow this debate across the web because I have got access. I am the self taught programmer/coder that I am because I had access to information.

It might have started with a simple Geocities homepage, but I am now able to claim my share because I had access to Wikipedia, Google , ASP.NET..etc.

The enemy is Telkom and our government has failed in this regard.

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By: Tech Leader » Mandy de Waal » The white boy's club

Tech Leader » Mandy de Waal » The white boy's club — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:24:24 +0000

[…] Nur Ahmad Furlong’s Tech Leader piece “Oh what racially tangled webs we weave” […]

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By: mundundu

mundundu — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:03:08 +0000

it’s priorities. no one can see the landlines or dsl subscriptions.

people are way too concerned about showing off their newfound ability to have things [most people would call it “newfound wealth” but the reality is that it’s not wealth] than to plan and acquire more of the tools necessary to join the global village.

in addition, telkom are really crap with putting in land lines and maintenance. the people in the adderley street telkom shop go near their red buttons when they see me come into the store. i made it quite clear that i will not tolerate excuses or incompetence with them. [i’m also a shareholder and have expressed my displeasure with things in this manner as well].

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By: Ismail

Ismail — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:36:24 +0000

@nur hey man i see you wrestled your post back.
@Mundunu, you make a good point.. but why do you think that is? Is it an aversion for tech? or just not tech savvy?

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By: mundundu

mundundu — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:09:22 +0000

you know, i’m going to harp about this until i’m blue (purple) in the face, but the digital divide in south africa is largely driven by the fact that telkom is one of the most expensive telecommunications companies in the world — in 2005, it was the most expensive, but since then the rand has fallen by nearly 30%, and that alone has knocked it off the top spot.

also, some of it is “cultural” — i know a lot of black cubic zirconias [i refuse to call them black diamonds], who drive the latest cars, have the latest fashions, but don’t have land lines in their houses.

as someone who refuses to call anyone who doesn’t have a land line [it’s cheaper to phone my parents in the united states than it is to call a south african land line, so why should i bother], i tend to think of part of this as the problem.

additionally, the asinine, inane, and british-telecom-circa-1992 fact that we have to pay for bandwidth as well also exacerbates the digital divide here.

i know i’m not the only black person in cape town with adsl. oh, wait, correction, i HOPE i’m not the only black person in cape town with ADSL. however, sometimes i really feel like it.

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By: Nur Ahmad Furlong

Nur Ahmad Furlong — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:54:13 +0000

Ok back where it belongs thanks to Kerry.

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By: Muhammad

Muhammad — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:59:24 +0000

Was wondering what was going on… I’m sure it’ll be sorted out. Have summoned the higher echelons of Tech Leader.

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By: nomad-one

nomad-one — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:10:44 +0000

Ok firstly this is my post so the Tech Leader system seems to have gotten it mixed up. Just so everyone knows.

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