Hon Speaker, hon President, hon Deputy President and hon members of this House, it is indeed a joyous day for me personally and for our dynamic party, the DA.
The fact that the Minister of Communications appointed Mr William Stucke to the board of Icasa shows that the DA is always correct and right in their decisions. After I worked through the 86 nominations for one vacant position on the Icasa board, I put forward Mr Stucke's name - as the priority candidate - on the DA's list. Initially, the DA struggled to get Mr Stucke short-listed for the interviews. At the end, the ANC agreed to put his name on the list.
Hon Speaker, this House can guess who made the biggest impact owing to his knowledge in the field of electronic communications: Mr William Stucke, the DA's preferred candidate.
Nevertheless, the ANC picked their candidate. Two names were put to this House, Mr Stucke not being their preferred candidate. I want to congratulate the hon Nyanda on putting forward Mr Stucke's name to this House for the vacant position on the Icasa board.
There is no doubt that William Stucke was the best candidate for this position as he stood head and shoulders above the other candidates on the shortlist owing to his strong technical knowledge and his standing in the local telecoms arena.
The Icasa Council is not known for its strong technical skills, as indicated by their lack of decisive action in the lowering of interconnection rates and the issuing of licences.
Stucke's knowledge will definitely increase the capacity of the regulator to address certain complicated technical matters at council level. Stucke is a telecoms and Internet veteran, and has held numerous management positions in the local and ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Question put: That the recommendation of Mr W Stucke for appointment as councillor to fill a vacancy on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa be approved.
Question agreed to.
Mr W Stucke accordingly approved for appointment as councillor to fill a vacancy on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.