Chairperson Of Open Source Software Standing Committe Appointed
Date: 2009-08-25
Chief Director of Information Services at Department of Public Works appointed as chairperson of Open Source Software standing committe
Nthabiseng Mosupye, Chief Director: Information Services, Department of Public Works has been appointed chairperson of the Open Source Software (OSS) Standing Committee in the Government Information Technology Officers Council (GITOC). Mosupye replaces Alsam Rafee, who joined the GITOC OSS workgroup in 2002.
Mosupye has been instrumental in the development of open source solutions in her previous role as chief information officer (CIO) at the Department of Public Works. She welcomes the challenges that lie ahead and had already identified plans to further develop and implement the use of Free Open Source Software (FOSS) in government.
“Government’s FOSS policy needs to be relooked to identify the synergies between its own FOSS Programme Office and the GITOC Standing Committee,” explains Mosupye. “Together we will facilitate government implementation of free open source software in line with the government mandate embarked upon in 2005, which will see all government departments making use of free open source software,” she adds.
“Stakeholder engagement will be key. The aim is to mobilise all role players to ensure uniformity and to lessen resistance from change by other institutions. All government departments that have implemented open source will be made partners on key projects. We will also identify projects that can make a bigger impact” says Mosupye.
“However, it is imperative not to overlook the uniqueness of each department and employ manageable OSS migration projects. It is better to have 5 well managed successful projects with great delivery success than 100 projects occurring inside the vacuum” says Mosupye.
Nthabiseng Mosupye holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Statistics, a higher diploma in Computer Sciences from WITS University and a Masters in Business Leadership from the University Of South Africa (UNISA).
For more information contact:
Anthea Summers
General Manager: Corporate Communications
SITA: Office of the CEO
Tel: 012 482 3197 / 083 460 6273