.za Domain Name Authority

Re-delegation of the .za ccTLD

Introduction
The .za Domain Name Authority ("the Authority") intends to request that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) formally re-delegate the administration of the .ZA ccTLD to the Authority. This request is supported by the current delegated administrator of the .za ccTLD, Mike Lawrie, and the South African government.

The request for re-delegation can be viewed here and the expressions of support from Mike Lawrie and the SA Government.

Comments can be sent to - or by using the form below or by snail mail to: Suite 175, Postnet x15, Menlopark, 0102

Background
Historically the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) delegated the administration of each ccTLD on an ad-hoc basis to a representative in each country. As a result of this ad hoc process, the administration of ccTLDs around the world has been variously delegated to individuals, commercial organisations, non-profit organisations and academic institutions.

As a result of IANA's original delegation process, the administration of the .ZA ccTLD is currently delegated to Mike Lawrie. Mr. Lawrie has, for several years, expressed a desire to hand-over this role to a more appropriate organisation. He has indicated his full support for a re-delegation of the .za ccTLD to the Authority.

The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act ("ECT Act"), gives the Authority a mandate to administer and manage the .za domain name space. Consequently, the Authority believes that it is appropriate for the administration of the .za ccTLD to be re-delegated to the Authority.

The role historically played by IANA in managing the delegation of ccTLDs has now been taken over by ICANN. ICANN has established certain guidelines, which are used to evaluate any requests for re-delegation of ccTLDs. These guidelines give value to expressions of support for the re-delegation from the following entities:

The current delegated administrator,

The proposed new administrator,

The government of the nation, and

The local Internet community.

The Authority is confident that it has demonstrable support from both the current administrator and the South African government. In addition, the Authority has approached the South Africa Chapter of the Internet Society (ISOC-ZA) and the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) for expressions of support for this re-delegation.

Comments
The Authority seeks comments and expressions of support for its re-delegation request. Please indicate if these comments are made in your personal capacity or as a representative of a particular organisation or community (and some background regarding such organisation or community, if possible). Comments may be published and may be attributed to the author unless confidentiality is specifically requested.