Minister Dr Siyabonga Cwele addressed the non-executive directors of the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa during the board’s induction
The Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Dr Siyabonga Cwele challenged the new Board of Directors of the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) to come up with strategies to create space for black industrialists in the ICT sector.
The Minister made his comments at a board induction session today, following the appointment of the new Board by Cabinet in August 2015.
Minister Cwele urged the USAASA Board to create space for black industrialists while they continue to pursue their mandate of increasing access to modern communication tools and services to all citizens, especially those in rural areas.
“We would like to see transformation informing your decisions as you allocate your resources. As society increasingly becomes digitally inclusive, localisation of gadgets becomes an important area of development. We need to be able to manufacture affordable basic gadgets,” said Minister Cwele.
USAASA Chairperson, Mrs Pumla Radebe, said the previous board did well to stabilise the agency.
“We successfully contributed to the work of government and we actively participated in the National ICT Policy Review and the Amendment of the Electronic Communications Act. This new board has the skills and experience to take this work forward,” said Mrs Radebe.
Minister Cwele welcomed the new board members and wished them well in their responsibility and he thanked the members.
Members of the new USAASA board are:
- Mrs Pumla Radebe – Chairperson
- Mr Mawethu Cawe – Deputy Chairperson
- Ms Tshegofatso Maloka
- Adv Lungelwa Shandu
- Mr Malose Kekana
- Mr Nqabekhaya Nqandela
Enquiries:
Siya Qoza
Cell: 082 898 1657
E-mail: siya@dtps.gov.za
