Five questions with Hafeni Mthoko

QUESTIONS
WITH
Hafeni Mthoko
As a postdoctoral
researcher in
information systems,
Dr Hafeni Mthoko
aspires to go beyond
the boundaries of her
discipline to explore
how information
systems and technology
can support the social
sector. She is based
at the University of
Cape Town’s (UCT)
Centre in Information
and Communications
Technologies for
Development
(ICT4D).
36
At a basic level, information systems
combine information technology with
people and processes to address a
problem and achieve a desired goal.
Therefore, it covers a broad spectrum
of areas beyond the information
technology itself.
2
Why are information
systems important in
an African context?
Information is all around, and yet,
there is untapped knowledge within
the African context. Why not use
information systems to better mine,
create and disseminate information
suited to this context to address the
challenges we face?
3
Can you describe your
research in simple
terms?
Currently, I am trying to understand
broadly how people access and
disseminate information: what
communication mediums do they
rely on and to what extent does that
understanding facilitate the design
of locally relevant communication
innovations that support the
achievement of community goals and
strengthen community cohesiveness.
For example, I have been focusing
on health promotion in a township
community in Cape Town and how
to improve health communication
activities there.
4
How can information
and communications
technologies (ICTs) help
foster social change?
ICTs as tools open easier and different
avenues for communication and
information flow. This can influence
our social interactions for good or
bad. Such access to information and
knowledge can – if used meaningfully
– facilitate better decision making,
problem identification and action in
response to social challenges.
5
What is the best piece
of advice you’ve received
as a young researcher?
My work doesn’t have to be perfect,
but it does have to challenge the
boundaries of existing knowledge.
So I should be easy on myself and
embrace the process one step at
a time: I don’t have to have all the
answers on the first day, if I did then
it wouldn’t be research.
PHOTOGRAPH: MICHAEL HAMMOND
5
1
What is the difference
between information
systems and information
technology?

Paperturn flip book system