It’s that time of the year when we take stock of how the public sector has employed technology in the service of its citizens. Comms minister Mondli Gungubele lamented in October that South Africa was spending too much money on hiring foreigners to implement solutions in data analytics, software development and data science, and pointed out that India was producing half a million IT engineers to service its needs. I’ve looked into the India success story, and without going into detail, its status as the world’s IT powerhouse was hard won and involved a concerted effort from government and industry, with a particular focus on skills development. There was also probably a measure of accountability, which seems in short supply in South Africa. Still, we have a new SITA boss in Bongani Mabaso, and the Information Regulator is starting to apply pressure on those who ride roughshod over privacy, including the Department of Justice. The only way is up. MB

SITA’s problems in 2023 were numerous, from an astronomically high diesel bill to keep the lights on, to a protracted salary strike by employees.