Open Source (be it on the Windows platform, or Linux) is a concept that is just not widely known to South African Businesses. Yes, there are some here that know about it, but in comparison, it is not as nearly as well known as it is in Europe or America. Linux adoption in SA is still very slim, but it is getting better. One way to expose Linux and Open Source is through awards and approved technology partners such as the Microsoft Gold Partner awards etc.
Imagine my surprise when I found this:
http://www.netsurit.com/content/dynamic.asp?Page_ID=21
quote: "The Competing to Win Partner of the Year: Linux/LAMP award recognizes partners who have won customers on the Windows Server or desktop platform where Linux/LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/PERL/Python and similar Open Source web platform stack) alternatives were a consideration or a prior deployment. "
This is something I did not expect in SA since Open Source and Linux. traditionally, is just "not a threat" in SA Business. Microsoft SA obviously feel threatened enough by Linux and Open Source in order to be giving awards to their technology partners who have successfully taken business away from "Linux/LAMP & similar Open Source web platform stack."
Therefore Canonical, OSI, FSF, Red Hat, Mandrake and other Linux and Open Source players can create a Technology Awards foundation whereby awards are granted in the advancement and adoption of Linux and Open Source alternatives. Categories can be new implementations, migrations, upgrades, expansion to existing infrastructure, new development (read: Research & Development projects) There can also be awards for shining new-comers, etc.