Speech for Jasco's 20th Anniversary

Dr Mokgokong
The Jasco Board and Management
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentleman

It is my honour to be with you today and feel especially honoured to have been requested to deliver this address at such an auspicious occasion for Jasco. This electronics company founded in 1976 is a reflection today of the winds of change that have been blowing over South Africa. The year 1976 is an eventful year in the South African Calendar as it was when crucial political and economic happenings changed the landscape of our country. Globally the world view of South Africa was changing with dramatic effects on our land. When 10 to 11 years later Jasco was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) about 210 other companies were also listed. Of these companies only 24 are still listed today and Jasco is one of them, indicative of its resilience and ability to adapt to changing times and conditions. We congratulate them for surviving.

Today the landscape in which Jasco is operating is very different. It now exists in a democratic environment in which many challenges exist. One of the most difficult of these is transformation. The transformation of economic, political, personnel, race, and gender relations as they affect the business entities and the people related to that business - whether within or external to that business. Its portfolio of businesses is in the design and manufacture, assembling and distribution of electronic and electrical products and solutions. In adjusting to the challenges of transformation and business environmental change, Jasco recognised the need for new partners. It was not afraid of change in ownership. It took on a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partner in 2003 and today this company through a transaction with CHI (Community Investment Holding) has the majority stake in Jasco. Its chairperson is a woman - a black one nogal. What an adventure that must have been.

Today, in the era of convergence of technologies and information and communication technology (ICT) services with the rapid approach of the 2010 World Cup, the challenges are great but not insurmountable and the opportunities are greater while the fruits are the best. Jasco has already answered the question. Do you want to survive, and do you want to change to survive? Do you want to reinvent yourself for the new era? I have the impression that Jasco is not afraid of change and under the leadership of Anna Mokgokong I know they'll run towards it.

The ICT sector in the convergence era portends enormous growth and wealth creation for all participants. Harness the opportunities created. Open yourselves up further to innovation because the opportunity space from innovation is tremendous. New business models, new partnerships, new competitors and new consumers are making for exciting times. In a South Africa and an Africa that would want to lead the new way of doing business and bring development, peace and stability, find the best way of being part of the solution for our challenges. You may become the example of Best Practice in your sector and in our country.

Our government, together with other African governments and their telecom companies and financiers are working hard to build telecoms infrastructure, both undersea and terrestrial, to connect the continent's different parts as well as connect to Asia, South America and the north. This will open up trade and scientific exchange that is likely to waken up the African giant. We would like this to happen before 2010 and speed up thereafter. As we move closer to 2010 and the World Cup, we are confident that we have the scale, the reliability, skill capacity and partnership potential to be ready for the 2010 World Cup. That readiness will launch us into a higher growth path and delivery mode. We are willing, able and ready to make this country and continent a success. I have no doubt you will be ready - are ready for that prosperous future and the exciting times it brings.

I thank you and wish you success in your future endeavours.

Issued by: Department of Communications
2 October 2007