Mark Rotter, analyst at Africa Analysis, says that while proprietary source applications are still the primary form of software in use overall, open source software clearly offers an affordable alternative. Not only does it assist companies in curbing their expenditure on resources but there are also clear opportunities for bridging the digital divide in Africa, he says.

"Open source has begun to play a major role in our government," says Cassim Parak, managing director of e.com institute, a wholly black-owned provider of technology solutions to the public sector. "The government's strategy on the roll out of open source is good because it encourages creativity and innovation."...

..."Africa, as a whole, has a lot to benefit from open source and it is indeed pleasing to see that developers are taking advantage of this," says Parak. "Several initiatives such as translate.org.za have innovated software suites that allow end-users to spell check documents in their own indigenous languages such as Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans."

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