(Subcommittee) ICASA Vacancies: Discussion & Recommendation

Meeting report

The Chairperson convened the meeting, welcomed all attendees on the virtual platform and indicated that the meeting may begin.

The Chairperson indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to for the subcommittee to deliberate on the outcome of the interviews held to fill four vacancies on the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) Council.

The Committee Secretary indicated that Mr T Gumbu (ANC) might have some issues connecting to the virtual platform as he was experiencing loadshedding challenges.

Briefing by Committee Secretary on the appointment process for the ICASA Council

The Committee Secretary, Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma, briefed the subcommittee on the appointment process.

According to the ICASA Act, the ICASA Council consists of nine members including one chairperson and eight other councillors appointed by the Minister. Currently, the Council consists of five council members. Mr ZK Matthews resigned in 2021, Ms P Kadi’s term expired on 20 September 2021, Adv D Qocha’s term has expired on 21 September 2021 as well as Ms T Semane’s term expired on 31 January 2021.

Mr Ngoma indicated that the task of the subcommittee was to nominate four individuals to fill the four vacancies on the ICASA Council.

The subcommittee appointment process was summarised. 71 nominations were received but only 69 were considered for shortlisting following the withdrawal of two candidates from the nomination process.

The subcommittee panel consisted of seven members of who four were from the African National Congress (ANC), one from the Democratic Alliance (DA), one r from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and one from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

The task for the subcommittee was to deliberate on the outcome of the interviews and make recommendations to be presented to the full committee on 15 March 2022. The subcommittee is expected to provide six names.

Deliberation

Ms N Kubheka (ANC) highlighted the three criteria that the ANC used in the selection process: gender, colour and skills. She pointed out that currently, there were three men and one woman serving on the Council and indicated the urgent need to achieve gender equity on the Council.

Underpinned by that notion, she nominated, on behalf of the ANC, Ms Thabisa Faye, Adv Dimakatso Qocha, Ms Dikeledi Mushi, Ms Nokwanda Mathenjwa and Ms Nompucuko Nontombana as the preferred female candidates. On the male side, she nominated Mr Demetrios Martinis, Mr Ashraf Patel and Mr Mpho Tsedu. She also added Dr Natalie Skeepers to the list.

Mr S Malatsi (DA), on behalf of the DA, nominated Ms Dikeledi Mushi, Mr Edmund Baloyi, Mr Demetrios Martinis, Adv Dimakatso Qocha and Ms Rossana Gell.

Mr V Pambo (EFF), on behalf of the EFF, nominated Adv Dimakatso Qocha, Ms Ntombiza Sithole, Ms Sesethu Gqomo, Dr Pulane Molokwane, Ms Nompucuko Nontombana.

Ms Z Majozi (IFP), on behalf of the IFP, nominated Ms Ntombiza Sithole, Adv Dimakatso Qocha, Ms Sesethu Gqomo, Ms Nompucuko Nontombana, Ms Thembeka Semane and Ms Thabisa Faye.

The DA added Mr Charles Mabuza to the list of recommended candidates.

The Chairperson noted the gender equity issue as well as colour and skillset highlighted by the ANC.

The Chairperson noted that all parties agreed to nominate Adv Dimakatso Qocha. Three parties nominated Ms Nompucuko Nontombana.

The subcommittee continued to explore and deliberate on those interviewed candidates that had received support from two political parties: Ms Dikeledi Mushi, Mr Demetrios Martinis, Ms Thabisa Faye, Ms Sesethu Gqomo, Ms Ntombiza Sithole.

Taking into consideration candidates’ rankings, endorsement received from political parties as well as the gender equity issue, the subcommittee resolved to remove Mr Demetrios Martinis from the list.

Resolution

The subcommittee resolved to recommend Adv Dimakatso Qocha, Ms Nompucuko Nontombana, Ms Dikeledi Mushi, Ms Thabisa Faye, Ms Sesethu Gqomo, Ms Ntombiza Sithole for the vacancies on the ICASA Council. The full complement of candidates recommended were women.

The meeting was adjourned.