ZARC Decommissioning 2a domains

[Mr_B]

Hi everyone

I have a few domains that I registered directly with UniForum SA back in the day which was then taken over by ZARC.

Received an email from ZARC (below) saying that they are decommissioning and that I need to use an accredited co to transfer my domains.

I'm not sure I understand this fully. Can someone please explain what I actually need to do here.

Can anyone explain how .co.za domains work now that ZARC are decommissioning? Who own/administers them now? I.e. will the domain be owned and managed by individual ISPs? And are there any renewal fees etc?

I registered the domains directly with the domain registrar (not via a host) and I'm currently hosted with hostgator and don't have any intention of changing that but obviously concerned with the email that the domains are being decommissioned and that they need to be transfered. Transfered where if I want to keep them on hostgator??

Thanks guys!

Email from ZARC:

Dear Legacy Domain Registrant,

We trust that you are well, and would like to draw your attention as previously communicated to some critical information pertaining to the ‘Decommissioning of the Legacy Domain Name Management Platform’.

We would like to remind you that the legacy email-based domain registration system, originally implemented by UniForum SA and subsequently maintained by the ZACR, will be decommissioned. The decommissioning of the legacy registrar system forms part of a contractual obligation to the new Registry Operator Agreement and thus we have an obligation to act and inform you as such.

Pursuant thereto, all listed 2a Domain Registrants are required to transition their domains off the legacy system, with effect from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2025, by approaching an accredited registrar to manage your domain name/s within the EPP domain name management platform. Legacy registrants will find a list of accredited registrars at https://www.registry.net.za/accredited/.

Please take note of the following key dates, which are critical for ensuring that this decommissioning process takes place in a seamless manner:
Notice to listed 2a Domain Registrants and 2g Billing Contacts started in June 2024 and will continue until the end of the decommissioning period.
Legacy creates have stopped since the 30th of June 2024, i.e., the registry is not accepting any new domain name registrations on the legacy system.
Legacy domain name renewals will cease from 30 June 2025.
All unpaid legacy domains remaining beyond 30 June 2025 will go into the normal suspension/deletion process. However, we encourage listed 2a registrants NOT to wait until the last moment to transfer their domain names to an accredited registrar.
Please reach out to our support teams by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] or calling us on +27 11 3140077 should you wish to raise any concerns, questions and/or challenges experienced during this decommissioning process. Note that this is the first in a series of notices that will be sent to all listed 2a legacy registrants and billing email contacts on your domain name during the 12-month period earmarked for completion of this decommissioning process.

If you have already transferred your legacy domains to an accredited registrar and no longer wish to receive these notifications please unsubscribe using the link below.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Regards,
ZACR Team


Thank you

 

[Domains.co.za (Wayne)]

Long story short
About 15 yrs ago there was an old email-based registration system that was replaced by a more internationally accepted system that is based on 3 R's (Registry (ZARC), Registrar (Us) & Registrant (You)), EPP system
All domains on the old system were "Moved" across to the new EPP-based system but still under the ZACR Registrar. (Square peg in a round hole situation)

Now, there are less than 7500 domains on this Legacy system and it is costing too much to maintain, plus its old..

ZARC, the new Registry (don't get confused with ZACR old Registry) wants you to transfer your domain to a Registrar (basically any of the top domain/hosting companies in SA)

All you have to do is go to their website, sign-up, and initiate a domain transfer (no costs to transfer any .za domain) and you will be off the old system.

 

[dadecoza]

As per the email you shared you can find an accredited registar from https://www.registry.net.za/accredited/ .

I'm in the the same boat and have now done my last renewal with ZACR directly. I have asked around and the two suggestion I got was Xneelo and Frikkadel (heh).

I contacted both Frikkadel indicated that they will be able to do only the annual renewal without any monthly fees, and Xneelo also indicated that they will do the renewal but was a bit vague as to if I also need to use their hosting pay monthly fees.

So the only real change will be that you will pay someone else to renew your domain.

 

[w1z4rd]

If you looking for a good registrar, I would recommend domains.co.za

 

[Jade @ Absolute Hosting]

You can transfer your co.za domains to any accredited registrar and during the order process make sure that you specify Hostgator’s dns servers - this will ensure that your domains transfer out from the legacy system to the new EPP system and no downtime.

You’ll then pay the new registrar for domain renewals rather than Uniforum SA

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client.absolutehosting.co.za

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[Mr_B]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help on this one. Think I know what to do now. Cheers

 

[dadecoza]

Like always I waited till the last minute ... but got my domain transferred to frikkadel.co.za, quick and painless and I only have to pay them once the domain is up for renewal and no additional costs or monthly payments for services I won't use. In fact I think they are cheaper then when I renewed with ZARC directly.