South African Internet service provider association board changes announced

The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has unveiled its new board, which will oversee and advise the organisation for the next three years.

The changes include two new appointments, Ntokozo Mbonani and Doreen Mokoena, who are joining the association for the first time.

“ISPA looks forward to new ideas and fresh perspectives over the coming term,” it said.

Its board will be one member fewer, with the company also expressing its gratitude to three outgoing board members: Cheryl Dinkelmann, Gideon le Grange, and André van der Walt.

“Their tenure as ISPA board members leaves the Internet in South Africa stronger,” said ISPA.

The organisation revealed that Dave Gale, Jerry Maleka, and Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have been reelected to further board terms. At the same time, Sasha Booth-Beharilal returns as chairperson, supported by Enzio von Diest as deputy.

“The new Board members are elected to serve a three-year term. Board members are eligible to serve for a maximum of six consecutive years, and then become ineligible for further reappointment until one year has passed,” says ISPA.

It added that ISPA’s counsel and advice surrounding the Information and Communications Technology framework in South Africa is respected and taken seriously by South Africa’s decision-makers.

“With this in mind, ISPA welcomes the 2025 members as they serve as the guiding hand that moves ISPA and the SA internet forward,” it said.

Regarding its plans for 2025 and beyond, ISPA says it will apply lessons learnt in the fixed data market to the mobile data market, on which most South Africans rely for connectivity.

“In particular, ISPA’s new board will seek to grow its membership base amongst mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) who are, in reality, a form of Internet Service Provider (ISP),” said ISPA.

ISPA said it remains one of South Africa’s largest representative bodies, with members including both Electronic Communications Service and Electronic Communications Networks Service licensees.

It added that it is the only Internet-related representative body recognised by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

“ISPA advocates for an open, free, and competitive Internet landscape and represents a diverse group of over 230 Internet organisations.”