(Subcommittee) ICASA Vacancy: interviews

Meeting report

The Chairperson noted the meeting agenda was to interview four shortlisted candidates to fill a vacancy on the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

The Chairperson set out the interview procedure for each candidate and described it as a mutually-learning conversation between Members and the candidate. The interview would begin with the introduction of subcommittee members. The candidates would have five minutes to make an introduction which should include their skills and experience. Each committee member would then have five minutes to ask questions and engage with the candidate. Those five minutes would include the candidate's replies. The Chairperson would play a facilitator role. The interview will end with the candidate’s concluding remarks of no more than two minutes.

The Chairperson informed each candidate that the subcommittee’s process was transparent to the public and the candidate was welcome to follow every step of the way.

See video for responses to interview questions

Candidate 1: Mr Dimitrios Martinis
Ms Z Majozi (IFP) asked the candidate what methods he would use to eliminate litigation against ICASA and to enhance ICASA’s relations with international organisations to bring more ideas to South Africa.

Mr T Gumbu (ANC) asked the candidate to identify two or three areas he would change at ICASA given his qualifications and experience and to explain why those changes are necessary.

He asked the candidate what new skills he would bring to the Council if appointed.

Mr S Tambo (EFF) asked the candidate how the sub-licensing agreement to international and national sporting events can be better regulated by ICASA. It is troublesome that broadcasting services have to incur exorbitant fees. How should ICASA be dealing with the monopoly of MultiChoice in acquiring broadcasting rights for international and national tournaments.

Mr Tambo asked how ICASA could make data more affordable as there are 20 million South Africans with no access to high-speed internet.

Ms N Mazzone (DA) was impressed with the candidate’s knowledge about ICASA. She asked what his solution would be to deal with digital technology in general given that ICASA continually complained about under-funding.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is in dire financial distress and thus has to outsource some of its programmes to companies such as MultiChoice. If appointed, what plan does the candidate have to sort out the financial conundrum at ICASA and assist the SABC in fulfilling its constitutional mandate as a public broadcaster besides asking for government for a bailout?

Ms A Mthembu (ANC) noted the candidate’s extensive experience in the area. What would he do to reduce the challenge rural residents face as they are often excluded from broadcasting services?

Mr L Molala (ANC) followed up on the candidate’s previous response about ICASA’s self-funding model and asked him to comment on the current funding model of ICASA since he was unclear about the candidate’s response.

Mr Molala noted the broadcasting industry landscape and asked the candidate to comment on the structure and design of various regulators, if regulators are a good and if one should retain the status quo.

Mr Molala emphasised the importance of the independence of ICASA. The industry is currently dominated by a few big corporations which received most of the spectrum. That deterred the participation of new entrants such as SMMEs. He asked the candidate to comment on how ICASA could ensure that SMMEs also have access to the industry.

Mr Molala asked the candidate how ICASA should navigate its relationship and interface with three most powerful influences in the industry – Parliament, Executive and the general public, particularly how to empower people and help develop society to move to a higher level.

The Chairperson noted that the candidate had spoken a lot about research-based broadcaster regulations. He asked him to share some good global examples with the Committee. This would also assist the Committee in its oversight work.

Candidate 2: Prof Surendra Thakur
Ms Mthembu asked the candidate to state the reasons he applied to be on the ICASA Council.

Ms Mthembu asked what the candidate would do to ensure that rural residents who were often excluded from broadcasting services could get quality service.

Ms Mazzone noted the candidate’s high level qualifications, academic knowledge and his passion for this arena. She noted that ICASA is grossly under-funded for its responsibilities and litigation costs eat into its funding. The SABC is unable to deliver on its constitutional mandate and had to outsource some of its programmes to a private broadcaster like MultiChoice. She asked how he would help tackle the under-funding of ICASA and assist the SABC in its financial distress – with the exception of asking for a bailout.

Mr Gumbu noted the candidate’s vast experience in the broadcasting sector and asked how his experience and knowledge could assist the regulator.

Mr Gumbu asked the candidate to demonstrate why the independence of ICASA was crucial to the delivery of its mandate.

Ms Majozi noted the strategic projects and legal expertise in the candidate’s CV. She asked him to analyse ICASA and indicate solutions for how it could prosper as well as strategies to reduce the litigation against ICASA.

Mr Tambo indicated the high data costs which excluded a significant portion of the population from accessing high speed internet. Elon Musk’s Starlink is willing to provide services. However, South African legislation would require 30% local ownership by previously disadvantaged citizens. If appointed, what would his solution be in navigating between the two imperatives of ownership redress in telecommunications and the urgent need for high-speed internet.

Mr Molala asked the candidate to expand on what needed to be changed at ICASA given the candidate’s sharp observation that ICASA was not promoting skills development in terms of its own work.

Mr Molala commented that the implementation of universal services and access by government is worrisome. He asked for a proposal on how best to regulate the market so that people would have access in rural areas.

Given the evolving landscape in digital technology, the industry is dominated by a few big corporations which received most of the spectrum. This deterred the participation of new entrants such as SMMEs. Mr Molala asked the candidate to comment on how ICASA could ensure that SMMEs have access to the industry.

The Chairperson noted the candidate’s suggestion for sourcing funding from the UN and from international sources. He asked how ICASA could navigate such external influence and retain its autonomy.

He asked the candidate for a proposal to give the previously disadvantaged a chance to enter the telecommunications market as well as to provide internet services.

Candidate 3: Mr Mothibi Ramusi
Ms Mthembu was impressed by the candidate’s experience in that he had brought the rural community into the mainstream. She asked what his turnaround strategy would be for ICASA’s underfunding challenge.

Ms Mazzone was also impressed by the candidate’s qualifications and that his opening statement was clear about his motivation. Given ICASA’s financial constraints, how would he solve that issue? More specifically, how ICASA could assist the SABC turnaround? She asked for a sustainable funding model for the SABC to fulfil its constitutional mandate without asking for a government bailout.

Mr Gumbu asked how the candidate's work experience will assist ICASA in the regulatory environment and what areas of specialities he would contribute to ICASA.

Ms Majozi asked the candidate to assess if ICASA has done justice to driving down data costs in South Africa. She asked for the candidate’s proposed mechanism for involving more players in the industry as well as to talk to the risk of exploiting South Africans.

Mr Molala asked what the candidate could still contribute to ICASA given that he had been involved in the establishment of ICASA in its earlier days.

Given the evolving landscape in digital technology, the industry is currently dominated by a few big corporations which received most of the spectrum. That deterred the participation of new entrants such as SMMEs. He asked how ICASA could ensure that SMMEs, ordinary people and rural residents also have access to the industry. He asked the candidate how far the country was in terms of transformation.

The Chairperson asked the candidate to provide his solution to bring on board SMMEs and previously disadvantaged people and have them on equal footing with those who were well-established.

The Chairperson asked what measures ICASA should put in place to not only play the role of regulator but also to be a driver of investment in the rural space which is currently lacking.

Candidate 4: Mr Nkosana Mbokane
Ms Mthembu asked why the candidate wanted to join ICASA and what the candidate would contribute in order to strengthen ICASA.

Ms Mazzone noted that the candidate was an ICT expert and has had vast experience working at multi-national companies such as British American Tobacco. Given his broad understanding of financial implications and ramifications of the sector, she asked what ICASA’s role should be 1) in turning around the financial status of ICASA; 2) keep SABC well-regulated and delivering on its constitutional mandate. ICASA has consistently complained about being under-funded. Given that the SABC is facing a dire financial situation and is forced to sell some of its programmes to the private sector, she asked what his strategy would be without asking the state for a financial bailout.

Mr Gumbu asked how the candidate's experience in the ICT sector could contribute to the regulator.

Mr Gumbu asked how the independence of ICASA influenced the delivery of its mandate.

He asked how the spectrum that has just been released could assist in the transformation of the sector.

Ms Majozi asked what strategy the candidate would put in place to reduce the litigation which ICASA currently faced. She noted that the litigation costs have a negative impact on ICASA's limited funding.

Mr Tambo asked the candidate for suggestions on how ICASA at the regulatory level could assist in increasing competition in the commercial broadcaster space. Currently, there is a monopoly with a few private broadcasters monopolising lucrative opportunities such as sporting events, leaving the public broadcaster in dire situation. He asked how ICASA could play a better regulatory role so the public broadcaster could also enter that space and maximise its content.

Given the evolving landscape in the ICT industry, Mr Molala asked for the candidate’s view on the centralisation or de-centralisation of the various regulators. Does the country need centralisation or de-centralisation of regulators?

He asked the candidate to demonstrate his understanding of digital sovereignty in terms of content and moderation.

The Chairperson referred to government’s transformation agenda. He asked how ICASA could assist in ensuring that previously disadvantaged South Africans could start on an equal footing with those established broadcasters in the telecommunications market.

The Chairperson indicated that the interviews for the ICASA councillor position were concluded. The Committee would deliberate next week and make recommendations to fill the vacancy and send its report to the National Assembly.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.