The infrastructure required for the implementation of computer aided instruction is described with particular reference to the distance education environment at the University of South Africa. A review of the state of the art of online distance education in the United States and Europe is followed by an outline of the proposed infrastructure for implementing computer aided instruction at the University of South Africa. There are seven major components in this infrastructure, which is derived from a general model followed at the University of Hagen: (1) an author and supervisor/mentor of a specific courseware package; (2) the author system for developing the courseware; (3) a course database for storing the courseware that is ready for distribution to the students; (4) a "network" for distributing the courseware, either via an electronic medium or via the postal system; (5) the tutor system on which students run their courseware, which is attached to a communication support where applicable; (6) a laboratory containing computer software material, other than courseware, for doing practical work; and (7) the student. Each of these components and the interrelationships among them are described in detail with the aid of flowcharts and diagrams. (27 references) (GL)