Open GIS

Who we are

If you are interested in free and open source software (FOSS), data, content, architecture, standards and other related philosophies, you will come across like-minded people here. We are advocates for everything Open. We aim to inform as well as to listen and be informed. Specifically, open source GIS software and content have a huge role to play in development in South Africa and we aim to facilitate that. Individual users are beginning to see the power and flexibility of open source GIS. Local government is starting  to adopt it in a big way.

FOSS in South Africa

The South African Government through its Open Source Project Office and the State IT Agency (SITA) is active with policy development and implementation.

Browse and download most of the important documents HERE.

For more recent and additional content visit these sites:

http://www.oss.gov.za/ and http://www.sita.co.za/FOSS/FOSS1.html

For an international insight see here.

Join our community, keep in touch

The GISSA Open Source SIG is in the process of becoming a Local Chapter of OSGeo. OSGeo is an umbrella body for a number of major global open source GIS projects. OSGeo kindly host the mailing list for this SIG, which goes beyond GISSA to include all Africa. Subscribe to the list or if you are a member you can send to the list at africa@lists.osgeo.org. You can also email foss@gissa.org.za.

A lot of activity is taking place on our wiki. Please check it out and add your input or volunteer for a role.

If you are South African and not a member of GISSA yet, please join.

FOSS4G 2008

Thank you to all who participated in FOSS4G 2008. By all accounts it was a great success.