ATC200513: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the filling of five vacancies in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, dated 11 May 2020

Communications and Digital Technologies

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the filling of five vacancies in the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Council, dated 11 May 2020

The Portfolio Committee on Communications (the Committee), having considered requests from the Minster of Communications and the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) to fill five vacancies in the ICASA Council, reports as follows:

 

A letter dated 6 August 2019 was received from the Minister of Communications –

1. informing the National Assembly of the existence of a vacancy on the ICASA Council as a result of the removal of Mr Rubben Mohlaloga as a Councillor and Chairperson of the Council; and

 

1. requesting the National Assembly to commence with the process of filling the vacancy in terms of section 5 of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, 2000 (Act No 13 of 2000).

 

Another letter dated 7 August 2019 was received from the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly –

1. informing the Minister of Communications and the Committee that four vacancies would arise in April 2020 as a result of the end of term of the following Councillors: Mr Paris Mashile,

Ms Botlenyana Mokhele, Mr Peter Zimri and Mr Keabetswe Modimoeng; and

 

 

1. informing the Minister of Communications that the National Assembly would commence with the process of identifying candidates to fill the four vacancies in terms of section 5 of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, 2000 (Act No 13 of 2000).

 

The Committee considered the letters from the Minister of Communications and the Acting Speaker of the National Assembly and resolved that the committee secretariat should proceed with the process of publishing an advertisement in the media calling for the nomination of persons to fill the five vacancies on the ICASA Council. The advertisement was published in all eleven official languages in two national newspapers, two regional newspapers and seven community media newspapers. Seventy-five nominations were received.

 

On 11 February 2020, the Committee met to consider the criteria and skills required to fill the five vacancies and unanimously resolved that the following 20 candidates be shortlisted for interviews:

Ms Botlenyana Mokhele; Mr Peter Zimri; Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng; Mr Edmund Baloyi; Ms Yolisa Kedama; Mr Ashraf Patel; Mr Sipho Tsotetsi; Ms Sandisiwe Ncemane; Ms Zamokuhle Khanyile; Mr Junior Khumalo; Dr Charles Lewis; Mr Zolani Matthews; Ms Dikeledi Mushi; Ms Nompucuko Nontombana; Mr Lebogang Bopalamo; Mr Kenilworth Choeu; Ms Amanda Cuba; Adv Luthando Mkumatela; Mr Phosa Mashangoane and Mr Linden Petzer.

 

As the Committee was preparing for the interviews, a letter was received from Mr Sipho Tsotetsi to inform the Committee of his withdrawal from the process. On 25, 26 and 27 February 2020, the Committee interviewed 18 candidates, with an exception of Ms Mokhele who could not attend the interview due to ill health. She was later interviewed by means of a virtual meeting platform on 4 May 2020.

 

On 11 May 2020, the Committee deliberated on the interviews taking into consideration the skills of current Councillors, skills required for the incoming Councillors as well as issues of continuity in leadership of ICASA and unanimously recommended that the National Assembly approve the following eight names from which the Minister should appoint five as ICASA Councillors in order of priority: Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng, Ms Yolisa Kedama, Ms Zolani Kgosietsile Matthews, Mr Peter Zimri, Adv. Luthando Mkutumela, Dr Charles Lewis, Ms Amanda Cuba, and Ms Sandisiwe Ncemane.

 

Report to be considered.