Having difficulty with project and policy implementation is not a problem unique to SA, but something that is experienced by companies and governments worldwide, says State IT Agency CEO Freeman Nomvalo.
He was responding to commentators saying the South African government spends too much time debating ICT policies and projects, and too little time implementing them.
According to Nomvalo, it is to be expected that problems and issues will crop up during the implementation phase of a project that was not foreseen during the conceptualisation phase. "This is not just the case in SA. Research has shown that this is experienced all over the world."
He concedes there are many government ICT projects that have been dragging along for years that have seen little progress. "I am not at liberty to name specific projects now. But there have been issues that have delayed very good initiatives.
"I am reminded of the well-known quote that says you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. There is room for improvement, but we've made a lot of progress."
When asked why there is such a vast difference in IT implementation between different government departments, Nomvalo answers that this should be seen in context of SA's young democracy. "We have to keep in mind that SA is a developing country. I am saying that we should acknowledge the challenges and the problems, but not judge ourselves too harshly. There have been great successes and the capabilities are there. It is a work in progress."
Speaking about the GovTech conference currently taking place in Cape Town, Nomvalo says he believes it has been successful.
"There have been no major hiccups and the feedback I've received around content [of presentations] has been positive."
He notes the purpose of GovTech is to collaborate with the private sector to find solutions for problems experienced in the public service, and provide a platform for the sharing of ideas and innovations. "GovTech allows us to find new ways to do things."
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