SA's Internet users are expected to grow to at least 22.5 million in 2017, an increase from last year's 21 million. This is according to the findings in a study conducted by World Wide Worx in partnership with Dark Fibre Africa (DFA).
The study titled the "Internet Access in South Africa 2017" says based on Stats SA's estimate that the country's population reached 55.9 million in June 2016 means the country will reach the 40% Internet penetration mark this year.
"Finally reaching the point where we can say every second adult South African is connected to the Internet is a major landmark, because Internet access is becoming synonymous with economic access," says Reshaad Sha, chief strategy officer and executive director of DFA.
"For this reason, it is critical that the country prioritise the rollout of infrastructure in underserved areas, especially outside the major metropolitan areas," he adds.
The question to determine the primary use of the Internet was answered by a sample representing 4.1 million South African adults across all income and education levels.
According to the study, the single most common use of the Internet among South African adults is communication indicated by 31% of the respondents.
It further shows that 24.9% of the respondents used the Internet for social networking and 23.7% for information. Only 22.1% of the respondents use the Internet for entertainment.
Using the Internet for shopping and finance is cited by only 15.2% of respondents.
"The findings emphasise the potential of the Internet to enhance lives when we have greater penetration across all segments and demographics," says Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx.
"Over time, we will see higher proportions of people engaging in a wider range of activity, but the barriers to more active use will first have to come down," he concludes.
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