Newly appointed Communications Users Association of South Africa (Cuasa) chairman, Edwin Thompson, says the organization will continue to lobby for legislative and regulatory pressure, in order to bring about effective competition in the local telecommunications and associated ICT sectors.
"As chairman of Cuasa, Mike van den Bergh has done a fantastic job in terms of launching the organization, setting up the necessary infrastructure and tirelessly representing our members on a wide variety of issues," says Thompson.
"It is largely due to his leadership that Cuasa has been able to challenge the significant authority and power of monopolistic and quasi-monopolistic telecommunications service providers over the past five years.
"Following Mike"s example, I will ensure that Cuasa continues to lobby government and the regulator in order to see a more free and fair telecommunications and ICT market for the good of our members, SA communications users in general and the country"s economy in particular."
Mike van den Bergh did not make himself available for re-election as chairman due to the increased demands on his time, as a result of his expanded role at group level within the wider Gateway Communications group, and also because of his concern that Gateway"s growing activities as a service provider and carrier would be perceived as in conflict with his role as chairman of Cuasa.
"Over the past few years Cuasa has grown from strength to strength, and has proved the organization can make an important and constructive impact in the industry," says Van den Bergh.
"The SA telecommunications industry and associated regulation and legislation still has a long way to go before we will see cost-effective communications on a par with international trends.
"That said, I believe that Cuasa is starting to reach its fighting weight in terms of effectively representing communications users to Parliament, Icasa and the media.
"Providing a voice for communications users is critically important - Cuasa has certainly taken pole position in fulfilling this key role, and this continues to be recognized by key stakeholders and industry players alike," he adds.
Edwin Thompson has been a Cuasa executive member since the organization"s formation five years ago, has been involved in the telecommunications industry since the beginning of 1982, and is also a senior executive at UUNET SA.
"Thompson"s extensive experience within the telecommunications sector, coupled with his commitment to driving change and adaptability throughout SA"s ICT sector, are qualities that Cuasa can look forward to," says Cuasa spokesman, Ray Webber.
"We are confident of Thompson"s leadership abilities and look forward to his chairmanship."
"Cuasa is an important organization in SA"s current telecommunications environment, and I am grateful for this opportunity to sit at its helm and lead the local community into more affordable, available and adaptable communication possibilities," concludes Thompson.