SA’s broadcast and telecoms regulator has appointed Tshiamo Maluleka-Disemelo as its new CEO, with effect from February 1.
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) said Maluleka-Disemelo’s contract will run for a period of five years.
She takes over from Nkhetheleni Gidi who has been running the regulator as acting CEO for the past five months following the resignation of long-time CEO Willington Ngwepe.
The regulator, which completed a historic spectrum auction in March 2022 that raised R14bn for state coffers, is in the process of finding permanent replacements for key roles in its leadership.
Ngwepe’s departure had come two months after former chair Keabetswe Modimoeng resigned. Both Ngwepe and Modimoeng have gone on to the private sector, joining MTN and MultiChoice, respectively.
Before this appointment, Maluleka-Disemelo served as the chief audit executive for the regulator, a position she has held since 2020.
In a statement, Icasa acting chair Charley Lewis said Maluleka-Disemelo “brings nearly two decades of governance, audit and risk management experience, as well as advanced skills in spearheading executive efforts. In her position as CAE [chief audit executive] she has collaborated with council to develop, amongst others, Icasa’s strategic plan, annual and operational performance plans, policies and procedures for managing organisational risks, and as such contributed to the effective management of the organisation.”
The appointment comes at a time when Icasa is grappling with moving the country from analogue to digital television, a process referred to as digital migration. This issue has meant operators such as Telkom are unable to use some of the spectrum acquired in March as it is still held by broadcasters.
In addition, the regulator has just embarked on a second, though “smaller”, spectrum auction slated for completion in 2023.
Maluleka-Disemelo holds an MBA from Milpark Business School.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.