Open Source Software Initiatives in Zimbabwe by Anna Makarudze

Zimbabwean companies and individuals have been consumers of open source software for over a decade now. Nevertheless, developers in Zimbabwe have done little in terms of developing an active and vibrant open source community until 2015 which saw the establishment of PyZim. This is because affiliation to professional bodies is not heavily emphasized in most industries, especially the ICT industry. The economic challenges facing the country for the past two decades have also made affiliation to such organisations a luxury as the country has over 90% unemployment rate.

Given this background, it is no surprise that setting up a vibrant Python user group has been fraught with many challenges. In my talk, I intent to share the journey we have traveled in setting up PyZim. I will also share our experiences organising Django Girls workshops and PyCon Zimbabwe 2016. I will also share with the audience the challenges faced, opportunities arising, benefits accrued and important lessons learnt through the experiences.

Transcript

1. Open Source Initiatives in Zimbabwe Anna Makarudze PyCon ZA, 7th October 2016 amakarudze@gmail.com @amakarudze
2. About me • ICT Consultant/ Python-Django Developer • Career nomad – have done a bit of everything from Networking, ICT Support, Systems Analysis & Design, Project Management and ICT Advisory Services. • Entrepreneur, currently self-employed through my start-up company Anntele Business Solutions P/L • Django Girls Harare/Masvingo organiser • PyCon Zimbabwe organiser
3. How It all started •Muzinda Hub Scholarship Programme •Helping each other with projects and programming •First meeting had four members
4. Setting up PyZim •Goal – set up a Python user group to share knowledge and information on Python programming.
5. Challenges – PyZim setup •Conflict of interest – community vs entrepreneurship (get-rich-fast mentality) •Bureaucracy main agenda of meetups - who holds what position
6. Challenges – PyZim Setup •Only a few committed members - resolutions of meetings never actioned •Inconsistent attendance hence same issues on agenda
7. Challenges – PyZim setup •People not prepared to share knowledge – only 2 meetups actually took place. •Economic hardships faced by members made registration impossible
8. The underlying factors for this were… •Most companies/ individuals using OSS are using PHP, Linux and other platforms but not Python. •Python use just started recently in Zimbabwe.
9. Underlying factors •Python programming language is new in Zimbabwe and only taught at University of Zimbabwe, others mostly teach C as introductory language. •Python community –a new initiative in Zimbabwe
10. Underlying factors •Information is power – no information sharing culture •Trap doors for customers
11. Underlying factors •Subscribing to professional bodies not required for ICT professionals
12. Underlying factors • High unemployment rate, especially amongst the youths – over 90%. • Almost everyone is an entrepreneur – buying and selling (mostly women) or software piracy (mostly men)
13. Ultimately… Setting PyZim seemed a failure as no meetups were taking place, no resolutions were actioned, no registration and no events were taking place!
14. Entreprenuership in Zimbabwe
15. However, it was needful to… •Empower women by introducing them to programming hence create other opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship than the usual buying and selling.
16. However, it was needful to … • Introduce young people to programming other than making a livelihood through software and music piracy.
17. How? •Organising Open Source Events in Zimbabwe •First Python Conference in Zimbabwe, PyCon Zimbabwe 2016 & Django Girls Harare event.
18. Major Challenge • No experience with/organising PyCon & Django Girls events.
19. Opportunities… •Opportunity to experience OSS events – PyCon Namibia 2016 and Django Girls Windhoek. •Meeting new friends and making connections.
20. Opportunities…
21. Django Girls Harare •Held on the 9th April 2016 •26 girls and women attended aged between 8 – 60 years
22. Challenges •Marketing the event and getting applications •Bad weather deterred applicants •Cultural myths hence parents sceptical of the event.
23. Opportunities… •Co-author a blog about Django Girls Harare event with Humphrey and publish it on Django Girls website.
24. Opportunities… •Write and publish my story on the Django Girls website – personal profile building.
25. Opportunities… •Mentor and impact the lives of many girls and women.
26. Django Girls Masvingo •Held on the 24th September 2016. •18 ladies attended, mostly students from Masvingo Poly Technical College and Great Zimbabwe University.
27. Challenges •Funding issues – sanctions against Zimbabwe taking a toll •Internet issues – improvise using hard copy applications, communication via phone and SMS •Bureaucracy in getting a venue •Lack of knowledge on Python and Django – what is Python?
28. Opportunities • Crowdfunding project through the help of the Python community and friends from PyCon Namibia • https://onepercentclub.com/en/projects/pyzim
29. Opportunities •Nomination and selection for Django Software Foundation Membership •No monetary benefit, just an honour for non-code contributions. •Improved access to most influential members of the Django Community
30. Important Lessons •It’s not always about the money •Elegance is not a key factor in measuring event success – meeting objectives is a better metric •Exposure & networks are far more important
31. Important lessons •Know the people whom you work with •It’s not about the numbers, it’s more about quality, commitment and results •Think outside the box
32. Important lessons •Context is important, always remember you are in Africa (especially, Zimbabwe!) •Students actually find Python easier to learn than C, C++ and Java! •I can make a difference
33. …is a noble idea!
34. Experience gained •Organising events •Marketing events •Approaching sponsors •Patience to nurture a business idea •More importantly, decision making
35. Way forward???
36. ZESA Training Centre, Belvedere, Harare 24th – 25th November 2016
37. Make a contribution – sponsor, speak, attend! •Email – zim.pycon@gmail.com •Website: zw.pycon.org •CFP Open: zw.python.org/cfp
38. Thank you!