SA's telecoms and broadcast regulator has appointed Yolisa Kedama as its acting chair for a six-month term, with immediate effect.
This comes a few days after a deadline to move the country from analogue to digital television, a process that appears to still be hanging in the air.
On Monday, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) said Kedama would take up the position from April 4 until September 30, until a chair was appointed.
The regulator has yet to find a permanent replacement for Keabetswe Modimoeng, who stepped down as chair of Icasa in June 2022, after a six-year stint with the watchdog. Since his resignation, the role had been filled by outgoing acting chair Dr Charley Lewis.
According to legislation, “In the absence of the chair, the remaining councillors must, from their number, elect an acting chair, who, while he or she acts, may perform all the functions of the chair.”
The regulator has had a shake up in leadership over the last year.
In addition to Modimoeng's departure, long-time CEO Willington Ngwepe also stepped down in mid-2022, having been replaced earlier in 2023 by Tshiamo Maluleka-Disemelo, who took the reins in February. She took over from Nkhetheleni Gidi, who had run the regulator as CEO for five months following the resignation of Ngwepe.
Both Ngwepe and Modimoeng have gone on to the private sector, joining MTN and MultiChoice, respectively.
Kedama — who has been a councillor at Icasa since 2020 — is said to be a specialist in the field of radio frequency planning and a researcher in new technologies in satellite communication. She holds a master of management degree in the field of ICT policy and regulation, a bachelor of science degree and a certificate in financial management.
“The authority will be in competent and experienced hands as councillor Kedama takes over the leadership role at the helm of the council collegial collective. I look forward to ensuring a smooth leadership transition and to working with her over the next six months,” Lewis said in a statement.
Kedama’s 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.
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