Boyce Maneli, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, has invited members of the public and organisations to recommend suitable candidates to fill four vacancies on the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) council. “Three vacancies will be filled immediately, while the council will fill the remaining one in January 2022, when the applicable councillor’s term expires,” Maneli said.
The ICASA Act, No. 13 of 2000, will be used to fill the council vacancies. According to the Act, persons selected to the council must be permanent residents of South Africa and devoted to fairness, freedom of expression, openness, and accountability.
Candidates must represent a diverse cross-section of the South African population. Have the relevant qualifications, expertise, and experience in fields like broadcasting or operations, public policy development, law, information technology, electronic engineering, content in any form, consumer protection, education, economics, finance, or any other related expertise or qualification.
ICASA develops rules and policies to regulate broadcasting and telecommunications in the public interest, ensuring fairness and diverse viewpoints, monitoring the environment and enforcing compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. It also hears and resolves industry disputes and complaints, plans and regulates the frequency spectrum, and safeguards customers against unfair business practices, poor service quality, and unsafe or inferior products.
“Written nominations must include the institution’s full name and address, the individual making the nomination; the nominee’s signed acceptance of the nomination; and the nominee’s curriculum vitae (CV). The CV must include the applicant’s full name, ID number, gender, contact address, phone and fax numbers, as well as an email address. Previous experience, including dates and organisations concerned,” Maneli said.
