Contribution to a special issue on ‘Developing Evaluation Practice in the Information Sector’. Reports the results of an impact evaluation of a research project to develop a Rural Information Strategy and establish Community Information Centres in three villages in Africa: Chiwamba in Malawi and Marindi and Kisarawe 2 in Tanzania. Describes the action research methodology and impact indicators used in the study. Some 25 percent of community members participating in the project were interviewed to evaluate its impact. Presents data on level of receipt and level of perceived benefit in the three communities in respect of: health information; agricultural information; educational and literacy information; income generation information; expansion of the knowledge base; and borrowing of materials. Records difficulties in participating in information centre activities and the extent to which ideas obtained through the project were put into practice. The main factors influencing impact were: the contribution of the local information facilitators; the rural development information environment; and the rural development information centre model based on (a) a broad information strategy; (b) competent information facilitators; (c) a multi-channel approach to information dissemination; and (c) the participation of different rural groups.
The paper starts with an exploration of knowledge management which focuses on the knowledge pyramid concept. The successful management of the transition from an agricultural to a knowledge based society, it is argued, should go beyond formulating information communication technology policies to include knowledge management policies as well. The contribution of information and knowledge systems in six key sectors of the national economy is described as vital to kick start the revival and reconstruction of Africa. The sectors identified are: poverty eradication and wealth generation, transfer of technologies and innovations, education sector, agricultural sector, small, medium and micro enterprises, and health sector. The new era of knowledge management challenges information specialists toreinvent and reposition themselves as infomediaries and knowledge managers who can manage efficiently the process of converting data and information into knowledge for development.
The San are among the most marginalized people in Namibia. The San have often relied on indigenous knowledge for survival, particularly since access to resources has proved to be difficult. This study explores the use of indigenous knowledge by a particular San community living on Farm Six, located in the Mangetti West area north of Tsumeb. In particular, the study focuses on the use of indigenous knowledge with regard to traditional medicine. Apart from considerations of the commercial and legal issues concerning the exploitation of the devil’s claw and hoodia plant, little has been published about the medicinal properties of San remedies. The findings indicate that the community relies on indigenous knowledge as their main means of treating most illnesses. While the community believes traditional remedies are effective in treating several conditions, they have also turned to herbal treatments because of a lack of access to modern health care: the nearest clinic is over 50 km away, transport is scarce, and a Ministry of Health and Social Services outreach team has not visited the camp for over 2 years. However, it was impossible to establish the medical efficacy of most of these remedies as their properties and effects have not been studied in detail.
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