Staff at the Universal Services Agency (USA), which is charged with rolling out information communications technology access to poor communities, say that the agency unfairly backs Microsoft’s proprietary software rather than non-proprietary open source software.
A senior USA staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, says that they battle to get the support they need for open source initiatives. Both USA staff members and external open source advocates allege that Microsoft is favoured by the USA because of the influence of Microsoft director of legal and corporate affairs, Chose Choeu, who is also the chairperson of the USA.
Microsoft and the USA last week announced an initiative which will make Microsoft’s software available in 284 community telecentres. Although the software is being made available for free, critics say a dependency on Microsoft will have been created.
USA CEO Sam Gulube says he does not agree with allegations that open source is being sidelined in the USA because of Choeu’s influence and was unaware of any staff members who felt this to be the case. “The chairperson and I have been strong on promoting the position of open choice,” he said.
“A person who says that open source is being sidelined in the USA, would not be able to provide any proof,” said Gulube. “I have been up and down, to say if open source is going to save us money, why are we not using it?”
Managing director of Microsoft South Africa, Gordon Frazer, dismisses claims that Choeu has been influencing decisions in favour of Microsoft. Frazer said Choeu had been appointed at Microsoft only after he was appointed chairperson of the USA and that the Minister of Communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri was fully aware of his position.
“We never discuss USA business and our relationship with USA is one we built through other individuals, not Choeu,” said Frazer.
The USA-Microsoft partnership has been criticised by open source advocates such as Meraka Institute centre manager NhlaNhla Mabaso, who questions the long-term implications the USA-Microsoft partnership will have.
Mabaso confirmed that he was well aware of the conflict of interest relating to Choeu: “Maybe the Microsoft deal is good, for it has allowed the conflict of interest to come out in the air,” he said. “In the past, he [Choeu] has been unashamed of his lobbying role”.
Mabaso said there are Department of Communication officials who were upset with views expressed by the USA chairperson in relation to open source, adding that one department official had remarked to him that Choeu seemed to be doing more for his company than for the government.
The senior USA employee confirmed there had been dissatisfaction expressed by department officials in response to negative comments on open source made by Choeu.
“In July there was a meeting organised between the department and the state-owned enterprises where open source was raised in relation to aligning strategies. Officials from the department of communication expressed dissatisfaction with negative comments made by the chairperson at this meeting about open source. Department officials also raised the issue of the conflict of interest,” the senior USA employee said.
“Our concern is that we have a situation where initiatives to use open source are not getting the support needed owing to the conflict within the organisation,” the employee said.
“At one time it was said to us that we have to be careful when getting open source projects going, because of the situation with our board. The chairperson of the board works for Microsoft. How is the USA expected to go out there and do something that the chairperson is against?”