Deputy Speaker, Icasa, as a regulator of the telecommunications industry, is one of the most important drivers for economic growth and job creation in our country.
Unfortunately, the reality is that the institution has not lived up to expectations. It has been criticised for its tardiness with the finalisation of regulations to promote competition in the market and drive cell phone costs down, ensure access to affordable broadband, and a host of other matters for which the regulator is responsible.
The council has also been dragged into political controversies in the past. We can all remember the Vodacom listing in 2009, which raised a number of questions regarding the independence of Icasa as the sector regulator. That was when Vodacom exercised its licence rights agreement to unbundle its shares without the involvement of Icasa and the Minister of Communications. There was a prior agreement in place, but at the last minute Cosatu was uncomfortable. They approached the courts and Icasa somersaulted. Clearly, that was a seriously flawed decision by the regulator, which has raised serious questions about its independence.
South Africa has lost its competitive edge in information and communications technology on the African continent, let alone the rest of the developing world. We can therefore no longer allow them to regard their work as "business as usual". We need dynamic, trustworthy leadership and an Icasa Council that commands respect throughout the industry as an independent body, free from all political and commercial influence, and with the necessary expertise to regulate this sector. An effectively regulated ICT sector could contribute at least 1% to our economic growth.
Good candidates were nominated. Unfortunately, a disconcerting trend of inbred musical chairs has also emerged, and my colleague has referred to that, with friends and colleagues in state-owned entities nominating each other - no doubt with some influence somewhere behind the scenes of ANC MPs, and even the Minister.
Consequently, Cope cannot support all five candidates, but only three who were selected on merit. We cannot support the other two, one of whom is in a senior position in the SABC. We believe she should preferably remain there to ensure that the public broadcaster delivers on its mandate. The other candidate, now a chief director in the Department of Communication and a former ANC MP, could not convince us that he had delivered on his current responsibilities in the department. He was responsible for broadcasting digital migration, local content development, set-top box manufacturing support strategy, etc. [Time expired.] We cannot support that, and we believe that the ANC should stop its interference in Icasa and its appointments. Thank you.