Bridging the digital divide in South Africa: Virtual asynchronized focus groups and virtual World Café informed health promotion

Introduction: An unintended consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic was the impetus to utilise online solutions for qualitative data gathering. Yet, South Africa’s digital divide requires real-life practical wisdom from qualitative researchers to bridge the technology-community gap.
Goals and methods: The researchers present the practical adaptations and behind-the-scenes realities when traditional face-to-face data collection methods of two qualitative studies had to go online. These studies unfolded in the North West province, South Africa. Study 1 conducted virtual asynchronised focus groups based on appreciative inquiry, where gay men could co-create a health promotion programme and absolute anonymity had to be ensured. Study 2 was a virtual World Café within the households of Batswana women with chronic hypertension in Ikageng Township, aimed at understanding salt reduction behaviour. Both studies' thematic data analysis resulted in rich and descriptive results.
Results: In study 1 (virtual asynchronised focus groups), Microsoft PowerApps became an online solution for gay men (n12) who could explore the complete appreciative inquiry cycle with absolute privacy and anonymity. Many participants had to be supported with devices and data. In study 2 (virtual World Café), three (3) households, each with four (4) participants, contributed to a World Café. Devices and data were presented to each household whilst the facilitators connected remotely, using a combination of Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp.
Conclusions: Qualitative researchers require methodological agility to present a traditional face-to-face data collection method in a virtual format. Mainly, when data collection implies the collective voice of groups, these two studies symbolise a new era in virtual group-related data gathering in South Africa. But also warns the importance of having a solid methodological foundation, ensuring thorough planning, having skilled qualitative researchers, investing in preparation for community entry, and providing continuous practical support to participants as essential to provide rich and authentic research results.