OBITUARY: Paris Mashile — regulator who fought to make SA’s phone calls cheaper
The engineer, political activist and Shakespeare lover turned the technical machinery of communications into a public argument about power, access and accountability.
Paris Mashile, a former regulator who fought to make South Africa's phone calls cheaper, died on 21 October 2026 at the age of 77. Mashile, an engineer, political activist, and Shakespeare lover, served as the chairperson of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2010. Under his leadership, Icasa introduced mobile number portability, licensed competitors in pay television, and began converting older licences, all aimed at opening the previously Telco-dominated market.
Mashile's most visible fight was over mobile termination rates, which he sought to reduce, ultimately lowering the peak rate from R1.25 a minute to 89c in March 2010. Mashile's career was marked by both achievements and setbacks, including a controversial reversal of an approval for Vodacom's listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2009.
Despite facing setbacks, Mashile remained dedicated to advancing competition, consumer choice, and preparing South Africa for a digital future.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
