tuXlabs was initiated in partnership with 200 local schools to bolster the use of open source software in schools, as well as to develop a sustainable model that can be easily replicated in other educational environments. Since its pilot phase in 2002, tuXlabs has installed over 4000 computers, and over 500 teachers have been trained, enabling over 200 000 learners to use the open source software and educational open content on a daily basis.

Zelda Holtzman, CEO of Shuttleworth Foundation, explains the organisations intentions. The foundation's main goal is to invest in projects that drive innovation in education and, given the success of tuXlabs, we strongly believe that this is a model the Education Department is able to adopt for implementation in SA schools, she says.

Over the past years we have seen numerous organic replication projects both locally and internationally. Given the scope of the project, the foundation decided to reward the tuXlab team with the remaining funding to continue with its work, applying its passion and creativity to drive the sustainability and growth of the project through the formation of a company.

Hilton Theunissen, founder of the tuXlabs project, says: tuXlabs is more than just software and hardware. During the project we were able to develop a complete seven-step project management cycle for the establishment of a sustainable ICT programme, built on the application of the open source philosophy. The added bonus is that the model can be replicated in any ICT community centre or social entrepreneurship project.

With so many parties reliant on the solution, a suitable exit strategy had to be put in place. It was decided by the Shuttleworth Foundation that Inkululeku Technologies would be formed to take tuXlabs into the future. The tuXlab Team will continue its work with tuXlabs in the newly formed Inkululeku, which was established on 1 July.

He says that the company will also challenge the tuXlabs project in a commercial context. This will ultimately help us to focus on building sustainability and operate as a service provider to the Shuttleworth Foundation and other corporates. This independence allows us to focus on the job at hand, explains Theunissen.

The foundation has provided an operational budget and project funding to get the company going. The future, however, lies in the commercial viability of tuXlabs, something that Theunissen and his team are planning to make a success.

It is not often that employees are given such an opportunity, enthuses Theunissen. The foundation recognised our passion and decided on a great exit strategy for the project to ensure that the educational institutions involved continue to get support.

Inkululeku is a Xhosa word for 'freedom' - which is in line with tuXlabs objectives and the open source philosophy.

We strongly believe in partnerships, and, to prove our commitment, 50% of my shareholding will be allocated to creating a tuXlabs school trust, consisting of our existing 200 Shuttleworth Foundation schools, concludes Theunissen.