Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri has again extended the call for nominations to the .za domain name authority. Nominations may be submitted for a period of 12 days, from 14 to 30 April.
The domain name authority is to serve as a government regulator that will take control of SA`s .za domain name suffix.
The decision to appoint such a regulator in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act sparked heated debate last year, when the Internet community was outraged at what it saw as a power grab by government, while the government accused the community of clinging to the past.
In a statement released today, the Department of Communications says the re-opening of the nominations process comes on the recommendation of the independent selection panel for the domain name authority, which was appointed by the minister late last year.
The statement says: "It is hoped that the re-opening will result in additional suitable candidates being put forward and will allow for greater public participation in the nomination process. This will ensure that all the requirements stipulated in the Act are adhered to and that the process of appointing the domain name authority cannot be contested on administrative grounds."
The panel has also recommended that previously submitted nominations be considered.
The minister is confident that the process of setting up the domain name authority will be finalised within the 12-month period that is stipulated in the Act.
Share
