The process to fill the empty seats on the Independent Communications Authority of SA's (ICASA's) council has moved a step closer, with six candidates having been recommended for appointment.
ICASA is looking to fill six vacancies on its council, to bring the total to the required nine councillors.
The nominees have been revealed as Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, Peter Zimri, advocate Luthando Mkutumela, Yolisa Kedama, Dr Charles Lewis and Dikeledi Mushi.
Yesterday afternoon, ITWeb reported that communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams had written to National Assembly speaker Tandi Modise, to recommend the names of possible candidates to fill spaces on the ICASA council.
The minister’s move came amid a series of reports that she was unsatisfied with some of the shortlisted candidates, and questioned their suitability for the councillor posts.
Even though Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications shortlisted 10 names for Ndabeni-Abrahams to select six candidates from, the minister reportedly told Modise that she would only be accepting four names.
The minister cited lack of skills set that would position the regulator to effectively execute its mandate among the areas of concern, reported the Sunday Times, adding that these are skills in digital economy/economics, cyber security and emerging technologies.
However, in the letter dated 13 July, the minister put forward six names in the event that Parliament decides to proceed with the six candidates identified.
In the letter, the minister says she considered continuity, gender representation, diversity (race), generational mix and geographical spread.
“It is our firm belief that the council must be representative of a broad cross-section of the population of the country and possess suitable qualifications, expertise and experience in the fields of, amongst others, broadcasting and telecommunications policy, engineering, technology, frequency band planning, law, marketing, journalism, entertainment, education, economics, business practice and finance, or any other related expertise or qualifications.”
Making a return
Both Modimoeng and Zimri have a history with the regulator, having spent the last four years as councillors.
Modimoeng served as acting chairperson from last year March until the end of his term in June. He was appointedto the role following the dismissalof fraud-convicted Rubben Mohlaloga from his post as chairperson of the telecoms regulator's council.
His name was also first on the communications portfolio committee’s list of names, in order of priority, for appointment to the ICASA council.
A former Sunday Times labour and business journalist, Modimoeng holds MBA and PhD (management sciences) degrees. He is also a Harvard senior executive fellow and has completed an executive development programme from Wharton University, as well as an Africa director programme from the University of Stellenbosch.
His expertise includes compliance monitoring, corporate governance, communications and ICT policy regulation.
Zimri is described as an industry veteran with broad experience in the ICT sector, and is passionate about postal, telecommunications and broadcasting technical, regulatory and policy matters.
He has been chief director of radio and satellite communications at the communications ministry and senior manager of frequency management at the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, a predecessor of ICASA.
He holds a Master of Arts degree in the field of ICT policy and regulation, managing telecommunications policy and environment.
New faces
Mkumatela holds a Master of Law degree with specialisation in aviation and space law. His expertise is in law, ICT policy regulation, corporate governance and financial management.
With a BSc and a Master of Management in ICT policy and regulation, Kedama has expertise in financial management, project or programme management and policy formulation.
Lewis is an independent analyst and researcher. He holds a PhD in philosophy and works in the field of ICT policy and regulation, undertaking a wide range of policy and regulatory projects. He also offers ICT sector analysis and advice, does research and writing, and has previously written on the lessons to be learned from spectrum auctions.
Mushi holds a Master’s in Management degree in ICT policy and regulation, BA (Hons) in industrial sociology and a BA. Her expertise is in ICT policy regulation and corporate governance.
The South African telecoms regulator defines its council as its highest decision-making body. It consists of nine members, including the chairperson.
According to the ICASA Act, those appointed to the regulator's council must be individuals who:
- Are committed to fairness, freedom of expression, openness and accountability on the part of those entrusted with the governance of a public service.
- Are representative of a broad cross-section of the population of SA.
- Possess suitable qualifications, expertise and experience in the fields of (among others) broadcasting, electronic communications and postal policy or operations, public policy development, electronic engineering, law, IT, content in any form, consumer protection, education, economics, finance or any other relevant expertise or qualifications.
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