Centurion Monday, 25 October 1999.
Distinguished guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen,
"Welcome to the final SAD Y2K co-ordinators' conference for 1999!" To the Y2K counterparts from our neighbouring countries, even a more special "Welcome". I believe we also have guests from the United Kingdom - the Health expertise team from the International Year 2000 Co-operation Centre. A very special welcome to you. Then also, I want to formally recognise the secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its Transport and Telecommunications sub-division (SATCC). And then also, the chairmen, Dr Zwangobani of Simbabwe and Mr Motlhathledi of Botswana - thank you for agreeing to undertake this particularly challenging task.
I realise that this is one audience that is all too aware of the value of time - and therefore I will be brief.
We are now in October 1999 - and I am sure for all of you, it has arrived too soon. You have worked hard. You could have done a lot more than what you have accomplished up to now. And I'm sure you wish you could have a log more money, assistance and support. Nevertheless, you are here now.
I am aware that, in addition to making sure that your respective countries come to terms with this still-ilusive Y2K bug, you have periodically been called upon to contribute to the regional effort. Like your domestic programme, it came with no textbook, no compass and very little appreciation. And many times - whether dealing with domestic or regional concerns - you walked away from meetings and deliberations feeling that you have wasted your most precious commodity... time.
Although the CSIR assessment indicated a few areas of concern, I am heartened by the encouraging signals from the report. There was evidence of Y2K co-ordinators and project team members hard at work trying to keep the Y2K bug from the doors of our communities. And for that, allow me to be the first person to applaud you.
At a regional level, too, we have seen and learnt much. At risk of taking too much time, I just wish to recognise a couple of specific initiatives and persons:
1. Your willingness to participate in the two SADC assessments. I understand this a brave and unique step and I am sure many of the citizens of and enterprises in this sub-region appreciate these efforts.
2. The support of the SADC and SATCC secretariats in convening these forums, as well as the government SADC political institutions and persons, too, I believe need to be recognised. This is probably the first time you have mobilised your resources for such an effort. I trust that the experience you have acquired in the process - will continue to benefit you, the entire SADC secretariat and the region.
3. Then also, I wish to recognise all those individuals who have, at some stage, taken the time, to assist other member countries. Whether by sharing information and expires, or responding to an email or returning a telephone call. In my experience a major success or accomplishment is always made up of little efforts.
But, ladies and gentlemen, the last mile is going to be the most important and you're in it! All your hard work up to now will mean nothing if we don't get the last bits right. I have looked at your programme - which I believe is a work programme and not a mere conference programme - and I have noticed the following:
1. Three parallel sector discussions on health, transportation and telecommunications - the sectors identified as `possible lagging sectors', unless proven otherwise. May I encourage you to use this opportunity to find solutions in areas that could be problematic. Let's be honest and open, ladies and gentlemen. These sessions will be closed sessions where we hope to create a suitable atmosphere conducive for such deliberations.
2. A session on the legal challenges that may emanate from the Year 2000 problem. I realise that the legal profession is one that has richly benefited from the millennium bug, nevertheless may I encourage you to use this service provided by the local Y2K centre. There will be a particular emphasis on resolving cross-border problems.
3. But, I really believe the gist of the conference will occur in the co-ordinators' meetings. I believe you are planning a regional `watch' programme for possibly the whole of next year. Let us commit ourselves to this effort, let us specifically commit to provide early warning signals to people and institutions that may be affected by failures. We will all have to grin and bear it from here onwards - Y2K related conveniences will be apart of our lives. Let us - at the least - limit the impact on business and social programmes.
4. Finally, I notice you will have an open meeting on Wednesday. Bravo! That is what dealing with Y2K is about. It has never been just a computer bug. It has never just been about designing and executing clever projects plans. Y2K is about a potential inability of computers or devices running our infrastructure and businesses to continue delivering products and services, as usual. Maintaining the confidence of the consumer or investor therefore ultimately determines whether your Y2K programme has been successful or not. Give these audiences the recognition and respect they deserve and I believe they will reciprocate - they will give you the support you need.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the last SADC co-ordinators meeting. We cannot have another. Please make the most of it. We cannot leave from here with endless lists of tasks to complete afterwards. You will seriously jeopardise your national programmes if you do.
For now, my best wishes for this conference. And for the remaining tasks at home, my very best wishes. In simple terms - Good luck! Do what you have to do - to achieve what you know has to be achieved.
And, as for next year, I don't believe the challenge is just to limit the number of failure s- whether they are inconveniences or disruptions. In all our countries, there will be organisations - large and small - that will be dropping a couple of balls as they are going about their business. They may even drop a couple of them on the same day - at the same time.
The challenge is not just for us to try and catch them. The test of strength is to - when they fall -- scoop them up very quickly. The test of courage - is when you cannot scoop them up quickly - admit it will take a little bit longer. So that consumers and business can make alternative plans.
Someone once told me, "when the going gets tough, it's the tough that gets going, and when the going gets rough, the tough will get rough". For each one of you - this will have a different meaning at different times.
As a final word of encouragement for you who I am told are always concerned about risk and possibility of failure. Let me assure you that when the next problem of this nature occurs, the conversion to the five-digit year - I believe this will be called the y-ten-k problem - your chances for having to deal - or even live through it - is far less than negligible.
Thank you sharing this very brief moment with me. God speed.
Issued by: National Year 2000 Decision Support Centre