Seven months down the line from a sudden move to "dismiss" four of the Independent Communications Authority of SA's (ICASA) councillors, a shortlist of candidates to fill the council's empty seats has been established.
Four vacancies became available after communications minister Faith Muthambi ushered out William Currie and Joseph Lebooa at the end of September, and William Stucke and Ntombizodwa Ndhlovu at the end of October. A fifth vacancy was created when Marcia Socikwa resigned in January.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications (PPCC) has now narrowed down the candidates to replace the five to 12 individuals, who will be interviewed on 25 May - two months later than originally planned.
The candidates are: Diratsagae Maoke, Keabetswe Modimoeng, Lance Rothschild, Lumko Mtimde, Paris Mashile, Peter Hlapolosa, Peter Zimri, Sello Molefe, Thami Ntenteni, Yengwayo Kutta, Botlenyana Mokhele and Dimakatso Qocha.
Committee chairperson Joyce Moloi-Moropa says the shortlisted 12 reflect a balanced generation mix and racial diversity, and are fully capable of taking on the job of ICASA councillors.
"The ICASA council requires competent and qualified individuals, who will be able to develop policies, regulate and govern the broadcasting and telecommunications sector in the public interest."
PPCC communications officer, Justice Molafo, was not able to give a timeframe as to when the appointments will take place. He says "budget vote season" is taking the spotlight at the moment.
After the May interviews, Molafo says, about seven names will be selected and sent to president Jacob Zuma, who will then select the five new ICASA councillors.
ICASA council chair, Stephen Mncube, will also soon be up for replacement, when his five-year tenure comes to an end at the end of June. Molafo says Mncube's replacement will only be appointed after the same process of nomination, short-listing, interviews and final approval has taken place.
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