(Subcommittee) Shortlisting of candidates for the ICASA Council vacancies

Meeting report

The Chairperson welcomed the subcommittee.  The purpose of the meeting was to shortlist candidates to interview for vacancies on the Independent Communications Authority of SA’s (ICASA) council.

The subcommittee was established by the National Assembly which permits the establishment of subcommittees to deal with particular matters. The subcommittee derives its authority from the National Assembly Rules.

The Chairperson apologised for the delay in starting the meeting. He took participants through the policy for virtual meetings – all microphones were to be muted when not speaking and the chat function is to be used for points of order.

The Chairperson asked if Members received their packages and links to documentation and CVs of all candidates.

Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma, Committee Secretary, expressed that a letter was received from the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies informing the National Assembly of the resignation, with immediate effect, of Mr Zolani Kgosie Matthews, an ICASA councillor. In addition to the resignation of Mr Matthews, the Minister informed the Speaker of the expiring terms of three other councilors on 20 September 2021 (Ms Palesa Kadi), 25 September 2021 (Adv Dimakatso Qocha) and 31 January 2022 (Ms Thembeka Semane), respectively. The Minister requested the Speaker initiate the recruitment process in terms of section 5(1) of the ICASA Act, to fill the vacancies.

Mr Ngoma informed Members that he received two withdrawals - from Ms Abongile Mashele, that she has taken other commitments which will not enable her to serve on ICASA, and Mr Lumko Mtimde - he indicated that he served two terms in ICASA and IPA previously and he would rather afford other candidates the opportunity.

The Chairperson expressed that the number of candidates has then changed from 71 candidates to 69 candidates. The subcommittee must note the two candidates withdrew out of their own volition.

The subcommittee will now shortlist candidates to interview informed by the decision taken last week that the subcommittee would shortlist five candidates per vacancy – there are four ICASA council vacancies thus Members would shortlist 20 candidates to interview.

Political parties will list their proposed candidates for shortlisting. Parties would look for the names they had in common and reach the final list by consensus instead of a mere vote. Parties will have time to engage and persuade each other on the proposed names to construct the final list of recommended names for interviewing.

The Chairperson expressed that Members must consider young people, gender equity, and non-racial aspect of demographics. The Chairperson expressed that within the list of candidates there will be returning councillors amongst the candidates.

The Chairperson requested political parties propose their candidates.

Ms Z Majozi (IFP) proposed candidate numbers: 27,28,64,1,2,9,10,15,16,18,19,20,26,27,28,31,37,62,57,55

Mr Z Mbhele (DA) proposed candidate numbers: 2,10,15,17,19,21,34,45,46,47,50,59,61,62,65,68,69,70 - one candidate who has withdrew is amongst the list.

Ms N Khubheka (ANC) proposed candidate numbers: 1, 46,28,69,16,19,39,37,57,63,54,55,65,9,2,23,64,59,18,58

Mr V Pambo (EFF) had connectivity problems and was struggling to follow the meeting. He advised he would not make any input.

Common numbers amongst the parties (DA, ANC and IFP) were: 1,46,28,69,16,19,57,65,18,2,55,9,64,59,10,37,62,15,17,54,34,23,63

Members agreed to nominate the following candidates for shortlisting:

1 Mr Baloyi Edmund

46 Ms Mushi Dikeledi

28 Mr Martinis Demetrios

16 Ms Legoze Palesa

19 Ms Macharia Caroline

39 Mr Kgabo Morifi

37 Dr Pulane Molokwane

57 Adv Qocha Dimakatso

63 Dr Olwethu Sipuka

54 Ms Nontombana Nompucuko

55 Mr Patel Ashraf

65 Dr Skeepers Natalie

9 Ms Thabisa Faye

2 Ms Gell Rossana

23 Mr Thabo Makhakhe

64 Ms Sithole Ntombiza

59 Mr Muso Sello

18 Mr Charles Mabuza

58 Mr Mathibela Selepe

10 Ms Gqomo Sesethu

15 Ms Lefothane Keletso

17 Mr Louw Leon

21 Ms Maharaj Minnie

34 Ms Nokwanda Mathenjwa

45 Mr Zubair Munshi

47 Ms Ncheke Tholoana

50 Ms Nemokula Rofhiwa

61 Ms Cathrine Shuenyane

68 Adv Tlhakung Boitumelo

70 Mr Tshabalala Nhlanhla Jetro

64 Ms Sithole Ntombiza

20 Mr Mahapa Thato

26 Mr Mantsho Jim

27 Mr Maphiri Nkopane

31 Ms Mashego Mandisa

62 Ms Semane Thembeka

The Chairperson said the list did not amount to 20 names so Members needed to further deliberate and reach consensus on the remaining number. The subcommittee had to consider youth, gender equity, and demographics in terms of race and the skills needed for ICASA, such as consumer rights, to fill the skills gap. There were two candidates who had served previously and he asked if the subcommittee would consider the issue of continuity.

Mr Mbhele said the ICASA shortlisting process was the most laborious so he supported bringing in previous councillors. He made a motivation for number 17. He expressed ICASA will make an important role in the development, innovation and growth agenda. The entity needs spectrum to happen expediently in a substantive manner. ICASA would want a council that will pre-empt the obstacles of the board. He expressed he has been on the receiving end of complaints from operators in the telecommunication space. They had grievances about the bottlenecks and the slow responsiveness for telecommunication licenses. The ICASA board needs someone who is going to know ICASA’s streamlines and lubricates their work in facilitating telecommunications efficiency and effectiveness.

Ms Majozi supported the idea of looking for candidates who have previously sat on the board for continuity. If there are two candidates who have been part of the board, she did not mind adding them to the list of shortlisted candidates list.

Ms Khubheka agreed the issue of continuity is reasonable and understandable. The memory of the institution is key. Secondly on the issue of gender, it will be key if Members were informed of how many councilors were women so as to ensure balance. She raised the issue of youth, and the issue of race, and the need to strike a balance on all these factors. It is important to have candidates who are able to correct and make sure polices are adhered to in order to achieve the goal set.

The Chairperson deliberated on the numbers of women vs. men.

Ms Khubheka raised a concern that all the candidates need to be verified so that candidates that did not follow the relevant procedures were penalised and consequently removed from the running.

The Chairperson asked the Committee to focus on the matters at hand.  

Mr Ngoma said that between the ANC and IFP, there are eight numbers of commonality. Between the DA and ANC, there are four numbers of commonality, including the two currently serving, and the three common numbers from all three political parties. together with the candidate motivated by Mr Mbhele, there was a total of 19 candidates.  

The subcommittee accepted the candidate proposed by Mr Mbhele

Mr Mbhele expressed that if the Committee is looking for another name to consider, which they may feel inclined to motivate for, he would motivate for candidate 34, a young black woman. Her mix of qualifications ad work experience shows that she is someone who can add value to ICASA’s work in facilitating, streamlining and maximising its scope in the telecommunications space for development and growth. He expressed that he is also was happy if the 20th spot is taken by someone else if not candidate 34. He was only making a proposed motivation because the subcommittee was trying to fill a spot.

Ms Khubheka motivated for candidate number 54 because of the skills she possessed. She would be relevant in assisting ICASA especially on competition.

Mr L Molala (ANC) was concerned the Subcommittee appeared to be inconsistent. In the previous shortlisting meeting, candidate number 54 she was shortlisted. He asked if it might appear inconsistent as the candidate was shortlisted in a different board meeting in terms of their requirements.

The Chairperson responded that consumer, economics and competition skills was what the candidate possessed so it would be satisfactory to have her on the list.

The Chairperson asked if the gender and racial balance of the shortlisted candidate list was in order.

Mr Ngoma responded that there were 12 women and 7 men. The race barrier had been balanced within the list.

The Chairperson asked if the list be considered to 23 candidates instead of 20. He noted that at the time when candidates were being shortlisted for interviews, there were withdrawals which gave space for more candidates to be considered.

Ms Khubheka  motivated for number 23       

The Chairperson asked if the candidate was gender inclusive.

Ms Khubheka then added a motivation for number 63.

Mr Ngoma responded that candidate 63 was a man, but he was nominated by the disabled people of South Africa and he lives with a disability

The Chairperson asked if there were any candidates on the list that represented those with disabilities.

Mr Ngoma responded that the candidate was the one disabled candidate because he clearly stated that in his CV.

The Chairperson expressed that the shortlisted candidate list should be seen to be inclusive of vulnerable groups.

The Chairperson asked Members to accept the shortlisted list of 23 candidates. 

Mr Mbhele supported the list of shortlisted candidates

Ms P Faku (ANC) supported the list of shortlisted candidates

Ms Khubheka supported the list of shortlisted candidates to work towards the common good of the Committee

The final list of shortlisted candidates:

1. Mr Edmund Baloyi;
2. Ms Dikeledi Mushi;
3. Mr Demetrios Martinis;
4. Ms Palesa Legoze;
5. Ms Caroline Macharia;
6. Mr Mpho Tsedu;
7. Adv Dimakatso Qocha;
8. Dr Natalie Skeepers;
9. Mr Charles Mabuza;
10. Ms Rossana Gell;
11. Mr Ashraf Patel;
12. Ms Thabisa Faye;
13. Ms Ntombiza Sithole;
14. Mr Musa Sello;
15. Ms Sesethu Gqomo;
16. Dr Pulane Molokwane;
17. Ms Thembeka Semane;
18. Mr Leon Louw;
19. Ms Keletso Lefothane;
20. Ms Nompucuko Nontombana;
21. Ms Nokwanda Mathenjwa;
22. Mr Thabo Makhakhe
23. Dr Olwethu Sipuka.

The Chairperson made closing remarks noting that the numbers are not the biggest concern – leadership was the biggest concern. The subcommittee represents South Africans with the selection of candidates to uphold the principles of the Constitution as the entities were constituted. The subcommittee must look at the demographics so that South Africans may feel represented and seen. The subcommittee must put the needs of the people first, putting aside their political parties. The Chairperson valued the contributions of each Member of the subcommittee. He believed the subcommittee would be able to motivate why it moved from the initial number of 20 candidates shortlisted to 23 so as to ensure a wider pool from which to pick the best final candidates.

The Committee would meet tomorrow to adopt the report on the shortlisted names.

The meeting was adjourned