Comments on: The paradox of SARS http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/08/26/the-paradox-of-sars/ Blogging about Tomorrow's world Today Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:41:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Roger http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/08/26/the-paradox-of-sars/comment-page-1/#comment-540 Roger Wed, 31 Aug 2005 13:08:37 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/08/26/the-paradox-of-sars/#comment-540 I now have my American 10 year multiple entry visa, but the first time going to get my visa at their consulate in Joburg was a nightmare. A very long line greeted the visitor and the whole process just took ages - not the best way to spend a morning. Until some bright spark decided to incorporate a mandatory internet booking system where you book your slot a week or so in advance and arrive just before your appointment. The whole process took less than 40 minutes - a great example of people using technology to help. And look, I even used "mandatory" instead of "compulsory" - I think that's an Americanism? I now have my American 10 year multiple entry visa, but the first time going to get my visa at their consulate in Joburg was a nightmare. A very long line greeted the visitor and the whole process just took ages – not the best way to spend a morning. Until some bright spark decided to incorporate a mandatory internet booking system where you book your slot a week or so in advance and arrive just before your appointment. The whole process took less than 40 minutes – a great example of people using technology to help.

And look, I even used “mandatory” instead of “compulsory” – I think that’s an Americanism?

]]> By: Frank http://www.connectioneconomy.com/2005/08/26/the-paradox-of-sars/comment-page-1/#comment-524 Frank Fri, 26 Aug 2005 13:17:19 +0000 http://www.tmtd.biz/2005/08/26/the-paradox-of-sars/#comment-524 Hey Barrie, as you know I spend a lot of time dealing with SARS and have found them by and large pretty efficient. I guess it’s not what you know but who you know and where you are dealing with them. I use the call centre here in Pinetown and have found them pretty efficient by Govt. department standards. Now if you want to compare Govt. departments, here’s my pile from worse to bad. 1 Dept. of Home Affairs. Ever tried getting a passport of ID document? 2 Dept. of Transport. I spent 2 hours on Wednesday deregistering a vehicle which had involuntarily been redistributed to the needy. The actual transaction took 45 seconds, but you needed to sit on the “shifting benches� for two hours to get to one of the two windows open. 3 Police. Notice the sympathy when you report something stolen. I had my laptop stolen out of a B&B in Stellenbosch and all the cop wanted to know was whether I just wanted a case number for insurance purposes or whether I wanted to lay a charge. If I wanted the latter he assured me that I would need to return to CT to attend court!!! I am sure anyone reading this blog will have equally horrific stories about some Govt. dept. or another. I do however have one good story and that is the old DTI (now known as CIPRO).They have a fully operational website through which you can submit annual returns, register entities and basically do anything they require electronically. No queuing, no complicated forms in triplicate (the website explains everything) just get the job done. .Now imagine if this could be done by Dept. of Home Affairs or the Dept. of Transport…… one can only dream. Hey Barrie, as you know I spend a lot of time dealing with SARS and have found them by and large pretty efficient. I guess it’s not what you know but who you know and where you are dealing with them. I use the call centre here in Pinetown and have found them pretty efficient by Govt. department standards.

Now if you want to compare Govt. departments, here’s my pile from worse to bad.
1 Dept. of Home Affairs. Ever tried getting a passport of ID document?
2 Dept. of Transport. I spent 2 hours on Wednesday deregistering a vehicle which had involuntarily been redistributed to the needy. The actual transaction took 45 seconds, but you needed to sit on the “shifting benches� for two hours to get to one of the two windows open.
3 Police. Notice the sympathy when you report something stolen. I had my laptop stolen out of a B&B in Stellenbosch and all the cop wanted to know was whether I just wanted a case number for insurance purposes or whether I wanted to lay a charge. If I wanted the latter he assured me that I would need to return to CT to attend court!!!

I am sure anyone reading this blog will have equally horrific stories about some Govt. dept. or another. I do however have one good story and that is the old DTI (now known as CIPRO).They have a fully operational website through which you can submit annual returns, register entities and basically do anything they require electronically. No queuing, no complicated forms in triplicate (the website explains everything) just get the job done.

.Now imagine if this could be done by Dept. of Home Affairs or the Dept. of Transport…… one can only dream.

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