Date: 24/06/2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Launch of the HP i-Community Centre
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE HP I-COMMUNITY CENTRE, Mogalakwena, 24 June 2004
Distinguished Guests,
Members of Provincial Government,
Members of Local Government,
Representatives from the Private Sector and the Community
Government's approach to science, engineering and technology (SET) is to provide a solid environment for basic and applied research through developing the required skills force. The outputs of this SET framework can then be transformed into products that South Africans can use and sell, because there will be existing systems to continuously produce new knowledge and apply that knowledge creatively in various spheres. This vision is closely aligned with the Millennium Development Goals, particularly to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger", "ensure environmental sustainability" and "develop a global partnership for development".
Open Source Software is an important issue for the Department of Science and Technology. The National Research and Development Strategy emphasises the need for increased levels of local research and innovation, particularly in the ICT sphere. The South African ICT industry has, to date, been largely focused on re-selling imported technology instead of focusing on the development of innovative local solutions to address uniquely South African needs.
We believe that Open Source Software (OSS) can make a real contribution to change the status quo. Through access to source codes, local entrepreneurs can build on the existing world best technologically sound software tools and platforms. This will enable us to leapfrog to the front of the ICT revolution, and to create IT products comparable to the best the world has to offer.
In the document, "Open Software and Open Standards in South Africa - A critical issue for addressing the Digital Divide", published by the National Advisory Council on Innovation in January 2002, a number of recommendations were made regarding the use and promotion of OSS in South Africa. These recommendations cover the promotion of Open Source Software in the public sector and increased local open source development, the creation of the necessary training and support mechanisms to facilitate increased adoption of OSS, and address legal issues relating to patenting and intellectual property rights.
The Limpopo Province is a region of stark contrasts - lush exotic climate to the north of the Tropic of Capricorn, versus the savannah to arid plains to the south. The region is characterised by abject poverty, but is also endowed with very brilliant minds. Mogalakwena is the region where Africans lead innovation and prospered centuries before.
We are here to celebrate and learn about new developments in the Open Source arena at Mogalakwena HP i-community. We are looking forward to the development of new ICT solutions that can be applied within an emerging market using free software.
The CSIR Open Source Centre is tasked with the responsibility to create enabling conditions for open source to spawn home-grown innovation and development. The CSIR centre will provide new avenues for individual ICT innovation; create new paths of education provision, and open opportunities for business development in this area. Therefore, the establishment of a CSIR Open Source Centre office at the Mogalakwena HP i-community is a step in the right direction. This centre will assist the CSIR Open Source Centre to achieve its targets for the "Access to ICT" and "SMME development sector". These interventions contribute positively to the enhancement of a relevant ICT ecosystem, one that grows and appreciates the African intellectual capital asset base.
Through this i-community centre, the CSIR Open Source Centre is making a real impact by stimulating more innovation in Mogalakwena, discover new talent, increase participation in the digital revolution and ultimately contribute to the war against poverty.
But we cannot do this on our own. Without the financial support of the private sector, we would not be able to promote the use of open source throughout the country. HP has demonstrated its commitment to investing in sustainable projects that will add value to the lives of ordinary people, and help with the development of SMMEs. We place tremendous value on HP's belief in our work, and we thank HP for being a great example to other companies in this sector. We want to challenge other private sector companies to become involved by sponsoring Open Source Centres in various needy areas of South Africa.
We also want to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mark Shuttleworth for his contribution to the promotion and development of mathematics and science especially among the youth of South Africa. As the first African in space, you have truly lived up to our expectations.
The success of the Open Source will present significant opportunities for public-private partnerships for socio-economic development, and represent a concrete mechanism for closing the gaps between the research community and the public and private sectors.
I thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
24 June 2004
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Launch of the HP i-Community Centre
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE HP I-COMMUNITY CENTRE, Mogalakwena, 24 June 2004
Distinguished Guests,
Members of Provincial Government,
Members of Local Government,
Representatives from the Private Sector and the Community
Government's approach to science, engineering and technology (SET) is to provide a solid environment for basic and applied research through developing the required skills force. The outputs of this SET framework can then be transformed into products that South Africans can use and sell, because there will be existing systems to continuously produce new knowledge and apply that knowledge creatively in various spheres. This vision is closely aligned with the Millennium Development Goals, particularly to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger", "ensure environmental sustainability" and "develop a global partnership for development".
Open Source Software is an important issue for the Department of Science and Technology. The National Research and Development Strategy emphasises the need for increased levels of local research and innovation, particularly in the ICT sphere. The South African ICT industry has, to date, been largely focused on re-selling imported technology instead of focusing on the development of innovative local solutions to address uniquely South African needs.
We believe that Open Source Software (OSS) can make a real contribution to change the status quo. Through access to source codes, local entrepreneurs can build on the existing world best technologically sound software tools and platforms. This will enable us to leapfrog to the front of the ICT revolution, and to create IT products comparable to the best the world has to offer.
In the document, "Open Software and Open Standards in South Africa - A critical issue for addressing the Digital Divide", published by the National Advisory Council on Innovation in January 2002, a number of recommendations were made regarding the use and promotion of OSS in South Africa. These recommendations cover the promotion of Open Source Software in the public sector and increased local open source development, the creation of the necessary training and support mechanisms to facilitate increased adoption of OSS, and address legal issues relating to patenting and intellectual property rights.
The Limpopo Province is a region of stark contrasts - lush exotic climate to the north of the Tropic of Capricorn, versus the savannah to arid plains to the south. The region is characterised by abject poverty, but is also endowed with very brilliant minds. Mogalakwena is the region where Africans lead innovation and prospered centuries before.
We are here to celebrate and learn about new developments in the Open Source arena at Mogalakwena HP i-community. We are looking forward to the development of new ICT solutions that can be applied within an emerging market using free software.
The CSIR Open Source Centre is tasked with the responsibility to create enabling conditions for open source to spawn home-grown innovation and development. The CSIR centre will provide new avenues for individual ICT innovation; create new paths of education provision, and open opportunities for business development in this area. Therefore, the establishment of a CSIR Open Source Centre office at the Mogalakwena HP i-community is a step in the right direction. This centre will assist the CSIR Open Source Centre to achieve its targets for the "Access to ICT" and "SMME development sector". These interventions contribute positively to the enhancement of a relevant ICT ecosystem, one that grows and appreciates the African intellectual capital asset base.
Through this i-community centre, the CSIR Open Source Centre is making a real impact by stimulating more innovation in Mogalakwena, discover new talent, increase participation in the digital revolution and ultimately contribute to the war against poverty.
But we cannot do this on our own. Without the financial support of the private sector, we would not be able to promote the use of open source throughout the country. HP has demonstrated its commitment to investing in sustainable projects that will add value to the lives of ordinary people, and help with the development of SMMEs. We place tremendous value on HP's belief in our work, and we thank HP for being a great example to other companies in this sector. We want to challenge other private sector companies to become involved by sponsoring Open Source Centres in various needy areas of South Africa.
We also want to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mark Shuttleworth for his contribution to the promotion and development of mathematics and science especially among the youth of South Africa. As the first African in space, you have truly lived up to our expectations.
The success of the Open Source will present significant opportunities for public-private partnerships for socio-economic development, and represent a concrete mechanism for closing the gaps between the research community and the public and private sectors.
I thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
24 June 2004
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
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