Johannesburg, 05 Sep 2012
About six months after the promised date, communications minister Dina Pule has appointed a new board for the Universal Service and Access Agency (USAASA).
Pule said at the beginning of the year that the new board would be in place in March. However, she later said it would only be in place at the end of that month, but still no appointments were made.
The department this week announced the new board. The previous board's term of office was terminated in January.
USAASA has been plagued by financial maladministration, which resulted in previous communications minister, the late Roy Padayachie, instituting a forensic investigation last October. Senior managers were suspended pending the finalisation of the investigation.
CEO appointment
Pule tasked the new board with appointing a new CEO for the agency since former CEO Phineas Moleele stepped down amid the investigation.
USAASA spokesperson Makhotso Moiloa in August said an advert for the post of CEO went out and was closed on 3 August. “Internal recruitment processes are already under way. We hope to conclude [the process] before the end of the year.”
The minister also wants the board to focus USAASA on its goal of ensuring every citizen has access to ICT.
Speedy delay?
Despite the lengthy delay in appointing the board, the Department of Communications (DOC) says this appointment is in line with Pule's commitment to act with speed to stabilise the top leadership of the state-owned companies that report to the DOC.
Pule also announced the inaugural board for the Postbank. “She is satisfied that the skills, experience and track record of all the board members will help the two state-owned companies to deliver on their mandates of bringing services to all the citizens,” says the department.
The new USAASA board members are Phumla Radebe (chairperson), Angie Maseko (deputy chairperson), Charlotte Mampane, Sam Ledwaba, Raj Lalbahadur, Seadimo Chaba, Maxwell Nonge, Kenosi Moroka, and Lerato Ndoro.
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