I've been fortunate in my career to watch technology adoption all over the world. And while we all hope to bridge the digital divide, and use it to bring us closer to all society and civilization, there is one group in South Africa that views it a bit different.

In working with a former client on trying to solve its ill-fated telecommunications issues, it came to light in a meeting that there was just no good way to tackle their outages and customer service issues. It seems it was destined to happen over and over again. Miles and miles of fiber optic cable had been run across the vast, primitive lands, following the tracks of the railroad. While its intended purpose may have been to bridge the digital divide of such a expanse, the locals came to benefit in a different manner. It seems the very same cable is very useful for making fiber optic christmas trees, trinkets, etc. that could be sold for quite a profit in the local markets and even exported. Harnassing the power of the locomotives, the local tribes were able to unearth enough of the cable, tie it to the train and let the rest happen. After a considerable mile or so of cable was made available, they would sever the cable and move on.

I'm not sure how the whole political, socio, economic ecosystem feels about the loss of a mile of fiber optic cable. Nor do I think it will go on forever. Eventually, the powers in charge will overcome this little interruption in service and find a way to keep expanding the digital landscape. I do know that I smile everytime I walk into a store at christmas time and see one of those fiber optic trees.

ME