Page 23 - Issue 1 2023

IN CONVERSATION

had moved in similar circles. He had
died of leukaemia. I knew exactly
what he meant when he wrote about
‘all-encompassing exhaustion’. As I
read his Facebook post, I also felt that
deep weariness. I too was dealing with
the effects of leukaemia. In my case,
however, modern medicine was winning
the battle. I felt stronger and less weary
every day.
Reading his account had a profound
effect on me. It gave me a preview of
what my own death might feel like if
the Cladribine and other treatments
stopped working for me. I thought a
great deal about his memories, how he
described them bubbling away. Once
we are gone, so are those memories.
Some might say, ‘who cares?’ but I care
about my memories. I care about them
because they represent a thread – a IT Personality of the Year. In his acceptance speech, he said that he wanted to ‘be like
very tiny thread, but a valuable thread Prof Barry’. He spoke about what I had done to inspire him. I realised that he knew so
in the history of our world. And history little about me. I had so much more to share with him and others in his generation who
is important because it is the foundation would, hopefully, carry on the work I have initiated. Hence the book!”
for future knowledge and future actions. Prof. Barry may be retired now but he said he is not done. “I am still a director
Without history, there can be no of the JCSE, I developed and have been teaching an online course called “Digital
innovation, no progress.” Transformation Life Cycle model”. I find that very exciting and I may spend my time
Prof. Barry told me that in November promoting and teaching innovation and digital transformation. Businesses that don’t
2019, something changed. “A young innovate and implement digital transformation are doomed.”
man, Tiyani Nghonyama, who had Coded History - My Life of New Beginnings, is a fascinating book and a
been inspired by some of the things I recommended read. It will enrich your life. Thank you, Prof. Barry, for your book and
had done, was named South Africa’s for sharing your walk with the digital world.

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