MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG – THE new South Africa’s Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association (WASPA) Management Committee has pledged to represent the interests of local wireless application service providers  (WASPs) and to work towards the Association’s consumer protection mandate.

The committee was elected earlier in March.

Current WASPA Chairman Casper de Villiers is joined by 2016 Board members Anthony Ekerold (Vice Chairman, Legal), Jacqui Jones (Treasurer), James McNab (Code of Conduct), Ongopotse Motlhanke (Communications), Janene
Matsukis (Lobbying) and Riccardo Vallaro (Membership).

“The new WASPA Board perfectly illustrates that a healthy balance can be struck between the requirement for stable continuity and the need for fresh input,” said WASPA General Manager, Ilonka  Badenhorst.

Badenhorst said the impressive human capital that now exists within the WASPA Board included admitted attorneys, entrepreneurs, chief executive officers and company directors, strategic marketers, regulatory and compliance specialists and finance professionals.

“It can only be good for all mobile industry stakeholders – WASPs and consumers included – that WASPA is managed by such talent,” said Badenhorst.

Of particular interest at the WASPA annual general meeting in Johannesburg was the positive fact that 17 new members have joined WASPA since the previous AGM in February 2015.

The total number of WASPA members now stands at 309.

“The fact that a 12-year-old industry association is still attracting new members at double-digit rates annually means the country’s WASPs see value in WASPA’s performance,” added Badenhorst.
A non-profit organisation, WASPA was founded in 2004.

Its role is fully-supported and its Code of Conduct is endorsed by mobile network operators.