The East Rand Linux Users Group (Elug) and SA Linux have agreed to work together to jointly promote Linux and open source software in South Africa and increase collaboration between open source companies.
“With over 380 members, Elug is ideally positioned to assist SA Linux members when it comes to skills sets,” said Elug spokesperson Jane Trembath. “More than that, the ability to collaborate means that we are exposing our members to new intellectual challenges which means everyone is gaining from the relationship.”
Trembath said that the South African open source industry was facing a significant challenge with a dearth of appropriate skills. She said that this lack of skills was exacerbating the challenges already faced by small open source companies.
The relationship will also see Elug and SA Linux collaborating on marketing and events, with the first major collaborative event taking place on the 19 September with two gatherings in the east of Gauteng to celebrate Software Freedom Day.
“Through considered collaboration many small companies can now produce marketing materials and advertise in media. The additional exposure can be invaluable to small and micro companies in a time in our economy when sales cycles are longer and IT spend has been cut,” said Andre Coetzee, SA Linux spokesperson.
People nominated to co-ordinate the various Elug resources are:
- Hennie Venter
- Lloyd Tucker
- Clive Whitburn
- John M Smith
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