ICT for rural communities has been a topic debated for decades now. Despite the many debates, the issues around this topic have mostly remained unresolved especially in most rural parts of Africa. It is with this in mind that this study; meant to emphasize the importance of Information and Communication Technology ICT by raising awareness of its benefits was found necessary. An investigation on the benefits of (ICT) in rural communities of Lesotho revealed that it will take addressing a number of issues before any benefits can be realized. Results revealed that realizing the benefits of ICT in rural communities require adequate knowledge of the underlying causes of the digital divide. It was also found that while ICT had a number of potential benefits towards the socio-economic status of rural Lesotho, issues like cost, accessibility, lack of infrastructure and illiteracy among others remain a challenge to the full realization of this empowerment.The aim of the study was to find the benefits that ICT contributed to the socio-economic development of Lesotho rural communities. The study used Activity Theory and investigated ICT diffusion and infusion in Lesotho's disadvantaged communities. The study also applied the 'cause and effect' principle and questionnaires were distributed in the two villages of Lesotho that were investigated; Mabote and Khubetsoana. Recommendations were also contributed to the research community on ICTs for rural communities in terms of suggesting the best way that ICT can possibly be implemented for the benefit of rural communities.

Professionals in system development have recognised and recommended the use of System Development Methodologies (SDMs) in South African organisations (Huisman and Iivari 2003, Huisman 2004). Professionals in BPR have also raised concern over the negative impact that BPR has on the organisational strategy (Mavetera 2012, Hammer andChampy 2005). There has therefore been a call for the use of SDMs during BPR to try and lessen the burden BPR bears on the organisational strategy (Hammer and Champy 2005, Muthu, Whitman and Cheraghi 1999and Giaglis 2009). This study aimed to bring to light the role of SDMs in preserving the organisational strategy during BPR. The motivation behind this study is informed by past research in BPR, organisational strategy and SDMs. To be able to gather more evidence that support the ideas behind the past research and assist in establishing the purpose of the study in practice; interviews were done with South African Merged Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) and literature on this topic was also used. This study was qualitative in nature and applied unstructured interviews and literature analysis of which results found that BPR has an effect on the organisational strategy in several ways and SDMs are either being applied or recommended in for BPR projects.