In a tiny article tucked away on page 13 of the Business Times section (indicating how important South African Business considers this issue) is one of the first official acknowledgements that Y2k exists.

Thank heavens for the Public Accounts Committee which for a change appears to be semi-awake.

The figures are optimistic and the hour for Awareness is a little late, but at least it's a start.

I wonder how much will actually get in to the Budget.

Sunday Times - Business Times - 1997-11-09 Page 13

Manuel computes cost of 2000 conversion

FINANCE Minister Trevor Manuel this week estimated that converting the country's computer infrastructure to be millennium compliant could cost around ZAR 21-billion.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, Manuel said SA had done no independent impact analysis but had 10% of the computer infrastructure of Britain, which estimated costs at GBP 31-billion.

"An estimate of the costs to the SA economy of some R21-billion would be reasonable," he said.

Parliament's public accounts committee this week noted with concern the possible disruptive implications of noncompliance for public sector institutions.

It asked the Department of Finance to determine cost implications before next year's budget. The committee said in a resolution that the budget was the last opportunity to make provision for computer adjustments to deal with the advent of 2000. -- Reuters