South Africa’s
telecom regulator, the Council of the Independent Communications Authority of
South Africa (ICASA), has appointed Adv. Nkhetheleni Norman Gidi as its Acting
Chief Executive Officer, effective from 01 September 2022 to 30 November 2022, or
until a permanent appointment has been made.
In a statement
issued on ICASA's official website on Tuesday, it noted that the appointment
of Adv Gidi follows the announcement of the end of the term of office for the
outgoing CEO, Mr. Willington Ngwepe.
“Mr.
Ngwepe’s last day at the Authority will be on 31 August 2022, following his
resignation, which was accepted by Council,” it said.
According
to ICASA, Adv. Gidi brings a wealth of ICASA-specific knowledge and experience
to the acting role, having been with the Authority for more than 12 years. “He
first joined ICASA in August 2009 as a Senior Manager for Licensing. In this
role, he was instrumental in the management of the licensing of Broadcasting,
ECS/ECNS, and Postal services,” it added.
Having held
several positions at the Authority, including General Manager: Licensing;
Executive: Legal, Risk, and CCC (LRCCC) in 2017; and, latterly, Executive:
Policy Research and Analysis from 2021, Adv. Gidi has been an admitted advocate of
the High Court since 2009.
He holds
the degree of Master of Laws (University of the Witwatersrand) and has
completed various leadership programs, including the Spider Capacity Building
on ICT Regulation, Policy and Practice (Stockholm University) and the Leaders
in Development Programme (Harvard Kennedy School).
The Acting
Chairperson of ICASA, Dr. Charley Lewis, in his remarks, expressed the council’s
full confidence in Adv. Gidi, who has contributed substantially to the work and
goals of the Policy Research and Analysis Division and ICASA as a whole and
reiterated the council’s preparedness in working with him in this important organizational
transition.
“On behalf
of both myself and Council, I wish to extend my congratulations, support, and
well wishes to Adv. Gidi on his new role. I know that he can count on the
cooperation and assistance of both staff at ICASA and the wider stakeholder
community during this time,” it stated.
By: Kanto Okanta
