By TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – SOUTH African organisations have been encouraged to register for a pioneer programme that would put their brands in line to register their chosen dotAfrica domain.
ZA Central Registry NPC (ZACR) is now accepting applications for the dotAfrica Pioneer Program from leading businesses, civil society and other interested parties so as to create brand awareness and visibility for the recently-launched generic Top Level Domain (gTLD).
Successful applicants will, subject to certain terms and conditions, be given preferential access to an approved dotAfrica domain name prior to General Availability.
The latter phase is when the general public can register dotAfrica domains from July 4.
ZACR Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Masilela, says the pioneer programme is a golden opportunity for interested parties to further cement their association or affiliation with the African continent.
“An approved dotAfrica domain name will enable companies to showcase their brand and its commitment to the continent while establishing a home for Africa-specific products and services,” explains Masilela.
In addition, the new dotAfrica gLTD will enable the expansion of regional influence and the acquisition of valuable online real-estate in a fast-growing and high-potential market.
Applicants are required to highlight key innovative qualities of their organisations, emphasising their relevance to Africa and their ability to harness the dotAfrica domain name to amplify their brand journey.
The applications need to further outline plans to use the domain name to share Africa’s message with the global village. Successful companies, non-profit organisations, bloggers and governments joining the Pioneer Programme will be granted access to the dotAfrica domain of their choosing.
Applications will close on May 15 .
– Guardian