Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Dr Siyabonga Cwele joins the Nation Mourning of the passing of Ambassador Eddie Funde
The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Dr Siyabonga Cwele mourns the passing on of Ambassador Sonwabo Eddie Funde, one of the pioneers of the post-apartheid information and communications technology policy and regulatory environment.
“We give our collective thank you to the Funde family for allowing the nation to share in the life of this visionary for the sector. His life-long activism for the upliftment of Black people influenced the trajectory of the telecommunications sector in South Africa and the region,” said Minister Cwele.
Amb Funde’s foresight saw him work with Government in the development of the 1996 White Paper on Telecommunications Policy which resulted in the formation of the SA Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA). He later led SATRA as its deputy chairperson. His sense of collectivism saw him being elected as the founding Chairperson of the Telecommunications Regulators of Southern Africa, which has since been renamed Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa.
Minister Cwele said Amb Funde's pioneering work laid the foundation for the regulation and liberalization of the telecommunications sector. One of the noted successes of this liberalisation was the introduction of new entrants in the sector.
He also served as Deputy Chairman of the Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development.
Other responsibilities in the sector included serving as the Chairperson of the SABC board and as the founding Chairperson of the South African Communications Forum, an ICT industry association.
He later utilised his talents to advance South Africa’s interests in Germany, after assuming the responsibility of being SA's Ambassador to that country.
Amb Funde was a lifelong fighter against apartheid, having dedicated most of his adult life to advancing the cause for a just and equal society particularly through his sterling contribution to the development of the telecommunications and broadcasting industries.
His contribution to the ICT sector only forms a portion of the illustrious career of this gallant freedom fighter. The industry honoured Amb Funde in 2016 when the SACF awarded him a Special Award.
“Amb Funde leaves behind a great legacy for the telecoms sector. We should all emulate him as we build a more inclusive sector,” said Minister Cwele.
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