Debbie
Banned
My interview regarding the ICASA Councillor selection process is with parliament's portfolio committee on communications is today at 16:30 at parliament.
Please all pray/think positive/already know that there are going to be no traffic problem, that my hair gel is easy to find, and that the car keys are visible. Also, that the committee is already open to hearing what I say, and that they ask the kind of questions that allow me to show my passion. They must know and see my deeply felt need to do something meaningful to make democracy work, and to do something to help bridge the tremendous economic gap between rich and poor. They also need to know that I come with no hidden political or monetary agenda, and that I will not mislead them on my true opinions and beliefs.
The shortlist contains some very impressive candidates, with whom, on paper at least, I am no competition. That being said, I hope I am able to show the committee that I am an appropriate choice in light of the new Acts; in light of the desperate need and the democratic requirement for someone on the consumer's side who understands the underdog position of the consumer in the current situation. I hope I can show them that my political science background is of immense value because it helps me frame the bigger picture and gives me an understanding of how the aspects of the telecoms industry fit together and impact each other.
I want them to see that I will be as tireless and bold as a paid consumerist as I have tried to be as an unpaid consuermist. For me the promotion of consumer rights is the most critical short-term goal that cannot be compromised; but I also geniunely consider the long-term goal to be the creation of mutually beneficial relationships between consumers/citizens, companies, and government.
I know that the playing field first and foremost needs to be levelled out so that consumers and smaller businesses are given the appropriate amount of consumer power, but I also know that in seeking the short-term goal of levelling the playing field we must not create any structural obstacles that would prejudice our long-term goals. I think I will be an appropriate consumerist representative because I can see past the apparant contradiction between consumer rights and the need for companies to make profit - an increase in consumer power as a non-negotiable prerequisite in order to achieve the shared long term goal. I understand practically how ICASA must write and implement fair regulations and licences that bridge the apparant contradiction instead of expanding it.
The long term goals must be:
1) Affordable communications for all
2) Accessible communications for all
3) Profitable companies whose activities and healthy bottom line promote and sustain economic growth, but in doing so do not profit through deceptive or non-transparent means, but who profit because of good management, inovation, creation of new technologies, good skills, good services, good variety of products, and a solid respect for democracy as well as the people of SA.
I am young, but I have a solid understanding of the industry, and to add to this I have an abundance of passion that can be channeled for the benefit of this country, if I had the opportunity to do so.
Please all pray/think positive/already know that there are going to be no traffic problem, that my hair gel is easy to find, and that the car keys are visible. Also, that the committee is already open to hearing what I say, and that they ask the kind of questions that allow me to show my passion. They must know and see my deeply felt need to do something meaningful to make democracy work, and to do something to help bridge the tremendous economic gap between rich and poor. They also need to know that I come with no hidden political or monetary agenda, and that I will not mislead them on my true opinions and beliefs.
The shortlist contains some very impressive candidates, with whom, on paper at least, I am no competition. That being said, I hope I am able to show the committee that I am an appropriate choice in light of the new Acts; in light of the desperate need and the democratic requirement for someone on the consumer's side who understands the underdog position of the consumer in the current situation. I hope I can show them that my political science background is of immense value because it helps me frame the bigger picture and gives me an understanding of how the aspects of the telecoms industry fit together and impact each other.
I want them to see that I will be as tireless and bold as a paid consumerist as I have tried to be as an unpaid consuermist. For me the promotion of consumer rights is the most critical short-term goal that cannot be compromised; but I also geniunely consider the long-term goal to be the creation of mutually beneficial relationships between consumers/citizens, companies, and government.
I know that the playing field first and foremost needs to be levelled out so that consumers and smaller businesses are given the appropriate amount of consumer power, but I also know that in seeking the short-term goal of levelling the playing field we must not create any structural obstacles that would prejudice our long-term goals. I think I will be an appropriate consumerist representative because I can see past the apparant contradiction between consumer rights and the need for companies to make profit - an increase in consumer power as a non-negotiable prerequisite in order to achieve the shared long term goal. I understand practically how ICASA must write and implement fair regulations and licences that bridge the apparant contradiction instead of expanding it.
The long term goals must be:
1) Affordable communications for all
2) Accessible communications for all
3) Profitable companies whose activities and healthy bottom line promote and sustain economic growth, but in doing so do not profit through deceptive or non-transparent means, but who profit because of good management, inovation, creation of new technologies, good skills, good services, good variety of products, and a solid respect for democracy as well as the people of SA.
I am young, but I have a solid understanding of the industry, and to add to this I have an abundance of passion that can be channeled for the benefit of this country, if I had the opportunity to do so.
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