The .ZA Domain Name Authority (.ZADNA) has appointed Molehe Wesi as its new CEO.
Wesi, according to .ZADNA, is a renowned ICT expert, who brings to the position a wealth of experience and expertise.
He joined the non-profit organisation on 3 August.
.ZADNA is an entity of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services that manages and regulates the .za namespace, including domains like co.za, net.za, org.za and Web.za.
The organisation’s mandate is to regulate the .za namespace and ensure its efficient use, management and administration.
Wesi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology from the University of the Free State and is currently studying towards his Master’s degree in information technology at the University of Pretoria. He is also a content contributor on cyber security and issues relating to the fourth industrial revolution.
Prior to his appointment at .ZADNA, Wesi held various roles, including deputy director of IT Strategic Support and Client Services at the University of Pretoria from April 2018. He was director of IT service delivery at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) from December 2014 to March 2018. During this period, he was appointed to serve as acting executive director of UJ’s information and communication systems from July 2017 to March 2018.
“We are confident that Wesi’s strong industry knowledge and management expertise will reinforce stability within the organisation in order to fulfil .ZADNA’s statutory mandate,” says .ZADNA board chairperson Palesa Legoze.
“His capabilities will enable the organisation to enhance business sustainability, drive innovation and stimulate the .za domain name registration growth.”
Wesi takes over from Peter Madavhu, who served as acting CEO from January 2019 to July 2020.
Madavhu was temporarily appointed after the organisation’s former CEO Vika Mpisane was suspended, following a disciplinary hearing into an undisclosed matter, initiated in January 2019.
Mpisane was subsequently fired in July 2019.
Wesi joins the organisation during interesting times when the world is faced with a pandemic that has disrupted business operations across all sectors.
In April, .ZACR announced it had suspended the deletions process of .co.za domain names that are not in good standing with their annual renewal fees.
The decision was made due to the lockdown regulations enforced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on the livelihoods of millions of South Africans and businesses.
“As the board, we trust that he will enhance the .za domain name value proposition, ensure it maintains an inclusive policy and regulatory framework and deliver on the organisation’s mandate,” adds Legoze.
In June, the organisation announced it had reached a milestone, with over 1.25 million individual domain names registered within South Africa’s flagship co.za Internet domain.
The announcement came as more local small business owners have in recent months placed huge emphasis on digital presence, as consumers increasingly turn to online services during the lockdown period.
“It is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead the organisation and ensure the .za namespace is stable and resilient,” notes Wesi.
“I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the management and administration of the namespace comply with international best practice and that .za remains the preferred domain name registered by South Africans.”
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