Parliament, Saturday, 23 November 2024 – The subcommittee of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has concluded the two-day interviews which were conducted to find suitable candidates to fill four vacancies on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
The interviews were conducted in line with Section 5 of the ICASA Act 13 of 2000, and the vacancies were occasioned by the end of the term of office of councillors on 31 October 2024.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Khusela Sangoni Diko, said that the calibre of candidates that appeared before the committee were the personification of the depth and excellence of South Africa’s ICT industry and further commended their commitment to be of service to their country
During the two days, the committee rigorously probed for diverse skill sets as is required on the council in line with section 5(3)(ii), which states that when viewed collectively candidates appointed on council should possess expertise and experience in the fields of broadcasting and telecommunications policy, engineering, technology, frequency band planning, law, marketing, journalism, entertainment, education, economics, business practice and finance, among others.
The committee further probed for an appreciation amongst candidates of the role and environment under which the Regulator is operating today, including their varied perspectives on pressing issues of the day. To this end, the interviews enquired on measures candidates would adopt to reduce high data costs, the regulation of over-the-top services and other technologies, the outdated legislative, policy and regulatory environment and the need to promote transformation in the sector.
“We are confident that, once appointed the Regulator will be able to leverage on the diverse skill set from men and women interviewed to collectively navigate through the present-day challenges and harness the existing opportunities including the lessons learnt from the last spectrum auction which will guide the next release of spectrum to ensure universal service access,” said Ms Sangoni Diko.
Ms Sangoni Diko further said that ICASA is expected to play a catalytic role in the establishment of the State Digital Infrastructure Company through amongst others a review of the success of the high demand spectrum auction and reconsideration of wireless open access network to drive transformation.
The subcommittee will draft a report for consideration and adoption by a full committee. Once adopted by the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, the same report will then be tabled in the National Assembly for consideration and adoption. Ms Diko thanked all the candidates and members of the subcommittee for the successful interviews.
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 enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mr Justice Molafo
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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