I was fascinated by the piece in the Sunday Times where Chris Barron interviewed Paris Mashile Chairman of ICASA. It is called "Anarchist doesn’t want to be fascist".
Two quotes seem to have been used to come up with the title:
"Mashile says he “empathises” with this show of public disenchantment.
“Good for them. An activist community is what we need in South Africa. We need to put their [Telkom’s] feet to the fire.”"
""I don’t want to be seen as a fascist person knocking every door down.""
I like a guy who is prepared to be outspoken and direct, but the way this has been interpreted is enough to put the wind anyone. He is not quoted calling himself an anarchist and there is nothing wrong with encouraging the public to be active and vocal in raising issues, but if you read the very last point under "Objects of the Act" in the EC Act, which ICASA is there to enact:
"promote stability in the ICT sector"
The title is not helpful. Time we had a well resourced and staffed regulator with strong, astute leadership and competent management!
that's me. concerned.
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