The Speaker has received the following letter, dated 31 January 2002, from the Minister of Communications:

Dr Frene Ginwala, MP
Speaker of the National Assembly
Parliament
P. O. Box 15
CAPE TOWN
8000

Fax: 021 461 9462

Dear Madam Speaker

RE: APPOINTMENT OF NEW ICASA CONCILLORS

I would like to bring to your attention that the terms of office of three ICASA Councillors will come to an end on 30th of June 2002.

The Councillors have been appointed in terms of Section 5 of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act No. 13 of 2000. In terms of the Act, the Councillors are appointed by the President on a recommendation from the National Assembly.

It is crucial that the appointments be dealt with as a matter of urgency to avoid interruptions in the licensing process of the Second National Operator, SMME's and the general functioning of the ICASA Council, etc.

It will be appreciated if the entire process of the appointment of new Councillors could be completed by the end of April 2002;

I hope you will find the above in order.

Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri
MINISTER
2002-01-31