Two of the Independent Communication Authority of SA's (ICASA's) incumbent councillors - who were seeking reappointment for another four-year term - failed to make the cut, while the final seven names were approved by all parties.
Yesterday, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications approved its preferred candidates for four ICASA councillor positions that are due to fall vacant from June to September. These council seats include that of current ICASA chairman Paris Mashile, Kobus van Rooyen, Robert Nkuna and Brenda Ntombela.
Mashile and Nkuna had already indicated they would not seek reappointment, while the committee decided not to nominate either Van Rooyen or Ntombela for second terms and gave no reasons for the decision.
In terms of the law, Parliament has to supply communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda with a list of names at least one-and-a-half times longer than the positions available. The minister will then make his selection and revert back to Parliament so that can it can accept or reject his choices.
For the interviews, the communications committee selected 20 candidates out of more than 80 and two withdrew of their own accord, leaving 18 who were interviewed for the four positions.
All candidates had to sign declarations that they had no disqualifications in terms of the ICASA governing law. This includes that they must be South African citizens and they or their relatives must not have any interests in the telecommunications or broadcasting industries. Some candidates have disclosed that they do own shares, but they are willing to dispose of them before being appointed as councillors.
The seven candidates selected by the committee are:
* John Matisonn, a former Independent Broadcasting Authority councillor, working with the UN on assignment in Afghanistan;
* Ntombizodwa Ndhlovu, a legal advisor with MTN;
* Joseph Morakile Lebooa, an MTN business liaison manager;
* Mankankane Violet Magagane, an SABC general manager for stakeholder relations;
* William Hamilton Currie, who is with the Association for Progressive Communications;
* Luthando Simphiwe Mkumatela, an advocate and a legal advisor for the SA National Space Agency; and
* Stephen Sipho Mncube, an information and library sciences doctoral holder, who most recently worked for the Development Bank of SA.
“This list was drawn up with the unanimous approval of all the parties. It will be submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday, before being sent to the minister,” said communications committee chairman Ismail Vadi.
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