The role of knowledge management and information sharing in capacity building for sustainable development—an example from South Africa

The coastal areas of the Northern Cape, South Africa, and the transfrontier region with Namibia are in a state of rapid transformation from a mining-based economy to one supporting diverse and sustainable livelihoods. Land-based diamond mining activities are in the early stages of decommissioning while a number of planning and development initiatives are underway. Key obstacles to integrated planning and development in the region are insufficient and inaccessible information. Knowledge management (KM) and information sharing mechanisms can facilitate meaningful participation and promote decision-making at the local level. The distance learning and information sharing tool is an internet based KM tool that promotes transparency and collaboration and provides open access to information resources for sustainable development.