South Africa's Wireless Application Service Providers' Association (Waspa) has elected its new board for 2023, James McNab, currently the longest-serving board member, returning to the role of Waspa chairperson, having served previously in 2017.

A number of new board members were introduced while still keeping the continuity and expertise that have long kept the regulatory body in good stead, says McNab, who has previously held a number of portfolios since 2013, including communications, code of conduct and telco affairs, as well as vice chairperson.

“2023 is a year of change for us. With a number of tenures coming to an end and new members joining the board, this allows us to relook our operations and improve our best practices,” he says.

“Additionally, given it is also our run up to our twentieth year next year, it gives us an opportunity to bring in different viewpoints and take the exceptional work over the last few years and amplify it.”

As the industry, network operators and consumer consumption patterns continue to change, Waspa continues to have a significant role to play to ensure that there is not only growth for the industry, but that consumers are protected as the market evolves, he continues.

“Because we are a self-regulatory body, the expertise that comes into Waspa is applicable both globally and locally and as such, we can focus our efforts where it matters, for the betterment of the industry and the protection of consumers and businesses. We look forward to continuing to do so, with fresh ideas, innovation and consistency.”

Michiel Huisamen who formed part of the Waspa board since 2019 and headed up the wholesale portfolio, will take over as vice chairperson and retain the wholesale portfolio this year.

Huisamen has been involved in the telecommunications sector since 2011 in various roles and with Waspa since 2014.

The official 2023 Waspa office bearers also include Casper de Villiers (treasurer and finance portfolio), Rory Anderson (communications portfolio), Lianda Holleman (membership portfolio), Sean Nieuwoudt (code of conduct portfolio) and Nadia Visser (telco affairs portfolio).