South Africa Is Not Going To Take Off But Microsoft Needs to Give Some Attention for Investor Relations

Rebecca Harrison of Reuters wrote about South African magnate Mark Shuttleworth, taking on Microsoft with his own open source vision relying on Linux Ubuntu software to revolutionize South African nations. As stated, the nation supports open source movement in the hope of capitalizing on the information age after their nation missed the industrialization era hoping to start a technological revolution in the nation. Microsoft, on the other hand, could not allow Shuttleworth to operate solely on African soil and as such pledged funding for 284 South African's municipalities to build their IT centres.

In an excerpt of the story:

Shuttleworth made his fortune by selling an Internet company he started in his Cape Town garage. He then spent $20 million on becoming the world's second space tourist in 2002, and the first African in orbit.

Now, he is taking on U.S. technology behemoth Microsoft by pioneering free computer software that he hopes will revolutionize the way computers are used, and make the Internet accessible to millions in Africa and other emerging markets.

"Ultimately open source is the platform of the future," Shuttleworth told Reuters. "It's one of those enormous waves that is taking over everything -- like the Internet."

Shuttleworth's "Ubuntu" family of software programmes is based on the Linux open source operating system, which works on the principle that software is free and can be modified at no cost by anyone to suit local and specific needs -- unlike rival Microsoft's proprietary software.

With quirky names for its programmes like 'Hoary Hedgehog' and 'Warty Warthog', Ubuntu -- an African word that means caring for your community and humanity for others -- is meant to be simpler to use than other Linux systems.

PC World magazine last year named Ubuntu as the 26th best product of the year -- ranking it above Apple's iTunes media player which was in 34th spot.

Governments in Brazil, China, Spain, India and Malaysia are already using Linux-based systems and Shuttleworth argues free software could slash the cost of getting computers into schools, community centres and homes in Africa.

Do you really believe the open source vision is taking off in South Africa?

I don't believe an information revolution is going to take place in South Africa which has more problems to tackle than revolutionizing their country. Microsoft is funding projects to the nation not because they are seeing great potential and vertical market from South Africa but rather does it to make sure investors are confident that they are not taking any competitors for granted. South Africa has a long way to go and doesn't have the culture, infrastructure, education and health system similar to India and China to believe technological funding could go a long way.

What is Microsoft's role in South Africa?

Microsoft has a responsibility to have their presence felt whenever open source movement is taking place and South Africa is no exception. Their funding of South African nation has the following reasons:

1. To gain vote of confidence from investors.
2. Being socially responsible to the needs of developing countries.
3. To send a message to the open source community that they shall be followed wherever they go.

How far is South Africa going to go?

South African nations are going to benefit from this and we shall see great progress in the following years; but it would not be enough to be considered as a serious business investment for companies.

[tags]Microsoft, South Africa[/tags]

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