Re-delegation of the .za ccTLD
The .za Domain Name Authority is in the process of requesting the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to re-delegate responsibility for the South African Internet domain (.za) to the Authority, which application is made with the support of both the South African Government and the current .za administrator, Mike Lawrie.

The issue of redelegation received much media attention at the time of the passing of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act in 2002 in terms of which the .za Domain Name Authority (a non-profit corporation) was designated to accept redelegation of .za. Lawrie served on the selection panel which recommended the Board of Directors of the .za Domain Name Authority, currently serves on the Authority's Technical Committee and remains an important contributor on both technical and policy matters.

The .za Domain Name Authority invites public comment and expressions of support regarding the redelegation request, which can be made to email: or by snail mail to: Suite 175, Postnet x15, Menlopark, 0102 or fax: 086 671 1584

The .za Domain Name Authority has accepted the responsibility of becoming the trustee of the .za ccTLD and it is committed to open and transparent processes, with appropriate opportunity for participation by the local Internet community.

The next meeting of ICANN will take place in Cape Town in December 2004 and it is hoped that the redelegation request will be finalised before such meeting.

The Cape Town ICANN meeting is being hosted by Uniforum SA, the .co.za domain registry, in conjunction with the South African Department of Communications and the .za Domain Name Authority.