Author: Danie van der Merwe

Worked at SA Police and then SITA for a total of 35 years before taking retirement. My passions now are promoting open source software, green environment tech, and blogging about gadgets and technology.

South African National Cabinet Statement Approving Open Source Software Policy and Strategy for Government – 21 Feb 2007

From https://www.gcis.gov.za/content/newsroom/media-releases/cabinet-statements/statement-cabinet-meeting-21-february-2007

“Cabinet approved a policy and strategy for the implementation of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in government. All new software developed for or by the Government will be based on open standards and government will itself migrate current software to FOSS. This strategy will, among other things, lower administration costs and enhance local Information Technology (IT) skills. The meeting noted that all the major IT vendors in the country have both supported the initiative and made contributions to the development of FOSS. Government departments will incorporate FOSS in their planning henceforth. By April 2007, a project office will be set up by the Department of Science and Technology, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and State Information Technology Agency (SITA) to ensure smooth implementation of FOSS throughout the country.”

Statement-on-Cabinet-meeting-of-21-February-2007-_-Government-Communication-and-Information-System-GCISDownload

SITA FOSS Focus Newsletter – October 2009

FOSSFOCUS-Issue-4Download

In this issue:

  • Welcome note by Nthabiseng Mosupye – Chairperson of the Open Source Standing Committee
  • FOSS backend migration at the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry)
  • Open-source software at FNB bank
  • The open-source project in CSIR’s Meraka Institute
  • State of South African government websites in relation to open standards
  • The Limpopo Office of the Premier calls for change
  • Report on FOSS implementation by national government departments
  • The IFMS solution and the use of FOSS
  • FOSS4G by Clinton Papenfus
  • How big is Linux?
  • The Editor’s Choice: 8 most prominent open-source products

SITA FOSS Focus Newsletter – July 2009

FOSSFOCUS-Issue-3Download

In this issue:

  • Migration to the Brocade library system
  • Highlights of FOSS Migration at the Department of Arts and Culture
  • Maria Farelo (DPSA) on Open Source Software
  • Phapedi Moabelo (National Social Development) on Free Open Source Software
  • Farewell Aslam Raffee
  • The Department of Communications piloting E-OPMS (Organisational Performance Management System)
  • SITA HylaFax IP – Fax System
  • SITA Zimbra migration
  • Vendor Day sparks collaboration and growth
  • 5 Reasons to move to Open Source
  • FOSS interns become employees

SA Gov FOSS Policy Annex A: Policy on Free and Open Source Software Use for South African Government

FOSS_OC-POLICY_2006_APPENDIX-ADownload

Published in August 2006 by the National Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). It outlines the background leading up to the approval of the policy.