--- title: Hands off Stella, ICT pressure group tells Parliament | ITWeb description: Lobby group the Progressive Blacks in ICT says it supports the minister’s choice of candidates to serve on the new ICASA council. image: https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/e8QtXQU2xILy1Oj2zh4yqFM_KrFFG2bpqXk1forX_H2JgnPe2gt3-vkivqZhMJQLAV3k8Qo9KjC5-q6GtiecJvE=w816-h428.jpeg --- [![vast.png](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hs-fs/hubfs/ObscureLogo-02.png?width=1000&height=354&name=ObscureLogo-02.png "vast.png")](http://www.obscuretech.net) Open main menu Close main menu - [Technology Partners](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/technology-partners) Open the submenu - [BeyondTrust](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/beyondtrust) - [Cybereason](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/cybereason) - [Forescout](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/forescout) - [Gytpol](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/gytpol) - [Netskope](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/netskope) - [OKTA](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/okta) - [OneTrust](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/onetrust) - [Palo Alto Networks](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/palo-alto-networks) - [Pentera](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/pentera) - [Proofpoint](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/proofpoint) - [Radware](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/radware) - [RiskIQ](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/riskiq) - [Rubrik](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/rubrik) - [Splunk](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/splunk) - [Tenable](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/tenable) - [Trend Micro](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/trend-micro) - [Obscure Blog](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog) - [About Us](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/contact-us) # Hands off Stella, ICT pressure group tells Parliament [ITWeb](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/author/itweb) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/myzrxm9a9zpmoga8) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/myzrxm9a9zpmoga8) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/myzrxm9a9zpmoga8) ![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/e8QtXQU2xILy1Oj2zh4yqFM_KrFFG2bpqXk1forX_H2JgnPe2gt3-vkivqZhMJQLAV3k8Qo9KjC5-q6GtiecJvE=w816-h428.jpeg) ![Communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/e8QtXQU2xILy1Oj2zh4yqFM_KrFFG2bpqXk1forX_H2JgnPe2gt3-vkivqZhMJQLAV3k8Qo9KjC5-q6GtiecJvE.jpeg) Communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. Pressure group the Progressive Blacks in ICT (PBICT) is demanding that Parliament urgently approve the list of candidates recommended by minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to serve on the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) council. The group says it is appealing to the ruling party and Parliament to “allow the minister do her job”. Earlier this week, [ITWeb](https://www.itweb.co.za/content/LPp6VMrDx98vDKQz) first reported that Ndabeni-Abrahams recommended six candidates for appointment to the ICASA council. Prior to her latest recommendations, a stand-off between her and the portfolio PORTFOLIO [![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gen2software-logo_xl-Sep-18-2023-05-20-10-4542-PM.gif)](http://adx.itweb.co.za/adclick.php?bannerid=26954&zoneid=0&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gen2sa.co.za%2F&ismap=) [Budgeting tools that you can ACTUALLY use. See the difference.](http://adx.itweb.co.za/adclick.php?bannerid=26954&zoneid=0&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gen2sa.co.za%2F&ismap=) ![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adlog-Sep-18-2023-05-19-25-3282-PM.php) committee overseeing her department had ensued. Ndabeni-Abrahams had written to National Assembly speaker Thandi Modise, saying she is only accepting four out of the 10 names shortlisted by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications. The minister cited lack of skills set that would position the regulator to effectively execute its mandate among the areas of concern, reported the Sunday Times, adding that these are skills in digital economy/economics, cyber security SECURITY [![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/galix-logo_xl_xl-4.gif)](http://adx.itweb.co.za/adclick.php?bannerid=26254&zoneid=0&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.galix.com%2F%3Fpage_id%3D285&ismap=) [A successful combination of specialized skills and industry leading vendor partnerships. Make Galix your preferred partner for security. Email mss@galix.com for more info.](http://adx.itweb.co.za/adclick.php?bannerid=26254&zoneid=0&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.galix.com%2F%3Fpage_id%3D285&ismap=) ![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adlog-Sep-18-2023-05-18-02-3576-PM.php) and emerging technologies. According to the minister’s correspondence, ICASA’s current skills set, including the proposed names, is in finance, legal, engineering and public relations. ##### See also ## [ICASA edges closer to filling spots on council](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/content/KzQenvjV4D5vZd2r) ## [BREAKING: Ndabeni-Abrahams recommends six nominees for ICASA council](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/content/LPp6VMrDx98vDKQz) As result of the back and forth, the PBICT says: “Hands off our minister; let her do her job and appoint a strong ICASA board that will serve the interest of our people, not the elite or the monopolisers.” Leon Rolls, president of the group, which has 3 000 members across the country, says: “We cannot afford to have a board that is there to serve the interest of the elite and more so have a board that is run by people clouded with corruption and dirty dealings from other state-owned entities. Those people must face their sins and should not be allowed to serve on boards like that of ICASA. “It is very disappointing to see us continue to recycle people in a country with a population of 57 million people. We support the minister’s stance of ensuring we have the right people serving on the right table that will make right decisions.” Rolls also lays into the former board, which he says “sold its soul and gave spectrum to telcos and totally ignored our call to speed up the WOAN process and that of issuing TV white space (TVWS) to our SMMEs”. The PBICT has been on the forefront of urging increased utilisation of TVWS, which has been touted as an [opportunity](https://www.itweb.co.za/content/nWJadvb8m58MbjO1) to connect the world’s population that remains without Internet access. Commercial deployment of the technology has been lagging, even after ICASA published the final regulations on the use of TVWS in 2018. However, in March, the regulator surprised the industry by [temporarily](https://www.itweb.co.za/content/VgZeyqJoKnXvdjX9) awarding three companies to provide PROVIDE [![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/SqwidNet-logo_xl-Sep-18-2023-05-20-42-3629-PM.gif)](http://adx.itweb.co.za/adclick.php?bannerid=27067&zoneid=0&source=&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sqwidnet.com%2F&ismap=) [Driving innovation through IoT. Sqwidnet can give you the tools to bring your ideas to life. Connect with us.](http://adx.itweb.co.za/adclick.php?bannerid=27067&zoneid=0&source=&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sqwidnet.com%2F&ismap=) ![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adlog-Sep-18-2023-05-18-28-5179-PM.php) TVWS-based networks. Mthinte Communications, Levin Global and Morai Solutions were authorised to use TVWS in the 470MHz to 694MHz band. Rolls says government must place TVWS technology on the list of priorities and programmes that can recover the economy. “Government must release the TV whitespace to black players. ICASA must speed up the WOAN and award it within three months.” ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DN2c6UhLWHgbRJNjiuwQHuXlZjdhCejlhBUciDGAal9f_PWeMdHVfM7bgCYbS117AWNrFhVEsEtb64vLBD5U4fU=w816-h428.jpeg)](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/dgp45va6oyn7x9l8) ### [MPs blast Ndabeni-Abrahams on ICASA council conduct](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/dgp45va6oyn7x9l8) Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, communications and digital technologies minister. [ITWeb](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/author/itweb) [Read More](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/dgp45va6oyn7x9l8) [![](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/brStRDCDOWv5Ja1sWd42HhGipQDJEErPtoU5C2MbKGGmwHxvyuvrdTdEgRM-9LejJrcBnoujiJc-mM3aqmqBP-w=w816-h428.jpeg)](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/wbrpoqgye357dlzn) ### [Mbalula looks into assisting Uber, Bolt with financial aid](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/wbrpoqgye357dlzn) Transport minister Fikile Mbalula. (Source: Twitter) [ITWeb](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/author/itweb) [Read More](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog/office/obscuretechnologies/content/wbrpoqgye357dlzn) #### About - [Privacy Policy](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy) - [Company Documents](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/company-documents) - [Blog](https://hubspot.obscuretech.net/blog) - [Contact Us](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/contact-us) #### Find Out More - [Training](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/training) - [Vendor](https://obscuretech-6344971.hs-sites.com/technology-partners) [info@obscuretech.net](mailto:info@obscuretech.net) [+27 12 941 2032](tel:0129412032) Block B, Unit 2, Top Floor, Southdowns Office Park, 21 Karee Street, Irene, Centurion, 0157 [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/obscuretech/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/12905777/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/obscuretechsa) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/obscuretech) © 2021 Obscure Technology (Pty) Ltd. 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