Parliament has selected nine candidates, out of a total of 86 nominees, to interview for the vacant Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) councillor position, including the current holder Mthobeli Zokwe.
Yesterday, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee decided to expand the list from five to nine, to give a chance for the most qualified candidates to present their cases on 18 August.
The committee will then submit a final shortlist of two candidates to communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda, who will make a choice, and then Parliament will either ratify the final candidate or reject him/her.
The position has been technically vacant since the end of July, when Zokwe's three-year term expired. However, in terms of the ICASA Amendment Act, his term can be extended for another month until he is either reappointed, or a new appointment is made.
Apart from Zokwe, the other eight candidates who made the shortlist are: Josephine Mabotja, David Vannucci, Dillo Lehlokoe, Zandile Mxaku, Edmund Baloyi, Luthando Mkumatela, William Stucke and Khulile Boqwana.
All members of the committee agreed the quality of the candidates was impressive and they noted that several of the selected candidates had years of experience in the ICT industry.
For instance, Mabotja is with Telkom's regulatory division, Baloyi is an advisor to ICASA chairman Paris Mashile, Stucke is the treasurer for the Internet Service Providers' Association, and Lohlokoe has worked for the Department of Communications (DOC), Telkom and the African National Congress, while Mkumatela is a lawyer employed in the DOC.
“What we have to acknowledge is not just the candidates, but also the central role played by ICASA to bring affordable and accessible technology to the majority of our population,” Eric Kholwane (ANC) said during the meeting.
DA MP Niekie van den Berg said the main criteria for a successful candidate would be the technical skills or knowledge possessed.
“We need to have someone who has a profound understanding of the sector,” he added.
Juli Killian (Congress of the People) said candidates should also have a strong knowledge of the law and legal processes in particular.
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