Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Computer literacy plays a major role in today’s education system. The South African Department of Education has included computer literacy to be one of the subjects from primary school education. The purpose of this study is to identify barriers of e-learning amongst postgraduate black students in higher education in South Africa. Most of the higher education institutions in South Africa have introduced the e-learning method as one of the mediums of instruction in offering courses at their institutions. For some higher education institutions, e-learning has proven to be a good teaching and learning method and for some it has been a problem from the implementation phase. There are some factors that have not been identified as barriers for e-learning to take place successfully. By identifying those factors it will bring more benefit to those higher education institutions that are finding e-learning a delight to work with. The institutions that are battling with e-learning may find solutions on how to successfully implement and get benefits from e-learning. This study will identify the challenges that learners, instructors and course developers experience on the e-learning path. Solutions to the challenges experienced in the South African higher education system may serve in promoting e-learning to higher education institutions and corporate organisations in the country. Traditional learners may also be motivated and encouraged to give e-learning a try. As a country, South Africa is exposed to challenges like poverty and increased unemployment rate; education may serve as a tool in addressing the challenges. The country shows success in distance education, many working people have managed to develop their skills and qualification through distance education. It is a challenge for government and higher education institutions to make elearning work in the South African education system. Identifying and eliminating barriers to e-learning may give the South African education system a chance to embrace elearning in the same way it did to traditional learning, or even more.