ICASA Council: shortlisting of candidates by Subcommittee

Meeting report

The Chairperson opened the meeting by stressing the importance of filling the vacancies in order for ICASA to be operational. He acknowledged apologies from Mr M Ndlozi (EFF) and Mr W Madisha (COPE). He invited members to nominate candidates of their choice.

Ms P van Damme (DA) suggested that Members should look at the ICASA Act to see how vacancies in the Council should be filled.  She referred to section 5 of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act 13 of 2000 (the ICASA Act) as a guiding principle in the shortlisting of candidates. Considerations should be given to their qualifications, expertise and experience.

The Chairperson agreed, and asked Ms Van Damme to read the guiding principle.

Ms Van Damme read the principle out.

Ms M Kekana (ANC) suggested that the number of candidates to be shortlisted ought not to exceed five.

The Chairperson agreed.

Mr R Tseli (ANC) seconded suggestions of both Ms Van Damme and Mr Kekana, and then proposed the nomination of Adv Stephen Kekana.

Mr Kekana proposed the nomination of Ms Palesa Kadi.

Ms Van Damme proposed the nomination of Adv Dimakatso Qocha and Ms Nomonde Gongxeka.

Mr M Kalako (ANC) proposed the nomination of Ms Yengwayo Kutta.

The Chairperson noted the nominations.

Ms Van Damme contended that Ms Kadi could not be nominated, because she worked with the Films and Publications Board (FPB) as a staff member. As an incumbent civil servant, she could not be nominated as a person to fill an ICASA vacant position.

Mr Kakena said there was validity in the Van Damme’s claim. Ms Kadi was a member staff of the FPB. However, this fact should not be used to prejudice Ms Kadi, because should she be nominated, she would resign from her commitment to the FPB to give her attention to ICASA. All the other candidates proposed were working somewhere else.

Mr Tseli seconded Mr Kekana. He remarked that Ms Kadi should be given a chance and if appointed, she should resign from her current duties. This was essential, because she could not receive two salaries from the state.

The Chairperson stated that Ms Van Damme should again point out the conditions set forth under section 5(6) of ICASA to determine whether Ms Kadi did not qualify to be shortlisted.

Ms Van Damme pointed out that the guiding principle prohibited a person who was employed by the state as civil servant from being nominated, but she agreed with her colleagues that Ms Kadi could be shortlisted, provided that she resigned from her current duties if appointed.

The Chairperson agreed.

He then read out the candidates who were shortlisted in the following order:
Adv Stephen Kekana
Ms Palesa Kadi
Ms Nomonde Gongxeba
Ms Yengwayo Kutta
Adv Dimakatso Qocha.

Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma, Secretary to the Committee explained the process to follow the shortlisting of candidates. Those who were shortlisted would be informed. The shortlisted names would be submitted for a security check and interviews would be scheduled on Tuesday of the following week.

The meeting was adjourned.