ISPA Co-chair Appointed to National Broadband Advisory Council

4 June 2014

Graham Beneke, co-chair of the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) has been appointed to the National Broadband Advisory Council. Beneke has welcomed his appointment, saying it presents a good opportunity for ISPA to provide an industry perspective as the country’s broadband policy is implemented.

“As the industry body representing the country’s Internet Service Providers, ISPA has much practical insight to offer, and also provides a ready-made channel through which the Council and the Minister can communicate with an important role-player in the world of broadband,” Beneke says. “Improving access to broadband, particularly the speeds on offer, is a vital part of enabling growth, and ISPA is pleased to be involved.”

The National Broadband Advisory Council was launched by the former Minister of Communications, Yunus Carrim, on 4 March 2014. At the Council’s inaugural meeting, it was agreed that representation from the industry would be beneficial, and Beneke’s appointment followed. The Council is chaired by Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, president of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with Professor Alison Gillwald as deputy chair.

The full list is as follows:

1. Sibusiso Sibisi (Chairperson) – CSIR
2. Alison Gilwald (Deputy Chairperson) – Research ICT Africa
3. Sunil Maharaj – University of Pretoria
4. Jesse Maluleke – Toproot
5. Arthur Goldstuck – World Wide Worx
6. Bernie Fanaroff – SKA Project South Africa
7. Geoffrey Qhena – IDC
8. Mlamli Booi – Z-Comms
9. Mandla Msimang – Pygma Consulting
10. Laurens Cloete – CSIR
11. Loren Braithwaite-Kabosha – SACF
12. Graham Beneke – ISPA
13. Christopher Forlee – BP South Africa
14. James Hodge – Genesis Analytics
15. Phillipa Biggs – ITU
16. Tim Kelly – World Bank
17. Rosey Sekese – DoC
18. Simphiwe Makhathini – DPE
19. Arvril Halstead – National Treasury