Parliament, Wednesday, 11 June 2025 – Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom and Rain have been invited to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on Friday, 13th June 2025. The appearance of these mobile network operators (MNOs) is in line with Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibility.
Parliament’s Oversight Model mandates the committee to balance oversight of government with an evaluation of how industry, specifically MNOs, support national priorities and complies with South Africa’s legislative, policy, and regulatory frameworks.
Equally, the committee is tasked with assessing whether existing laws, economic conditions, technological developments, and socio-political realities are enabling or hindering investment and growth in the South African economy, and to recommend appropriate interventions where necessary.
The MNOs and the telecommunications companies are expected to brief the committee on progress being made in response to challenges facing the people. Among the issues to be considered include the following:
- Measures to reduce the cost of data,
- Network connectivity standards in rural areas,
- Contributions to job creation, transformation and economic inclusion and empowerment for blacks in general, women, youth and persons with disabilities,
- Data security and privacy,
- Compliance with universal service obligations and spectrum conditions for universal connectivity including school connectivity, and
- Compliance with directives of the Competition Commission.
With the licences of the MNOs due for renewal within the next three years, the committee remains appreciative of the catalytic role the MNOs continue to play in achieving the National Development Plan’s target of universal coverage and connectivity by 2030.
“To this end, it is essential that, as a country, we seize the opportunities presented by rapid technological advancement to ensure no one is left behind,” said the Chairperson of the committee, Ms Khusela Sangoni Diko.
The meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Friday, 13 June 2025
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
Venue: Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MS KHUSELA SANGONI DIKO.
For media inquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Justice Molafo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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