The .za Domain Name Authority (.zadna), in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) and the South African Internet Governance multistakeholder committee, will host the 2025 South African Internet Governance Forum (ZAIGF) from 7 to 8 May 2025 at the Durban University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal.
zadna is a not-for-profit company established in terms of section 59 of the Electronic Communications and Transaction Act, 2002 (Act 25 of 2002). Its mandate is to regulate the .za namespace and ensure its efficient use, management, and administration.
Under the theme “Reviewing South Africa’s Internet Governance Progress in the Context of WSIS+20,” ZAIGF 2025 offers a national platform for reflection ahead of the global WSIS+20 review. This forum is a key milestone in shaping South Africa’s digital future and influencing global digital policy discourse.
The Forum will be officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, who will deliver a keynote address titled “The Global Context of WSIS+20 and its Relevance for South Africa.”
“The ZAIGF plays a vital role in shaping South Africa’s digital landscape. Upholding human rights and ensuring the development of a secure, inclusive, and reliable internet infrastructure requires strong collaboration across sectors underpinned by the principle of multistakeholderism,” says Molehe Wesi, CEO of .zadna.
ZAIGF 2025 will convene a diverse range of stakeholders, including government, academia, civil society, youth networks, the technical community, and the private sector, to assess progress, foster digital cooperation, and advance inclusive internet governance.
In parallel, the South African Youth Internet Governance Forum (ZAYIGF) will take place on 6 May 2025, a day prior to the main ZAIGF, under the theme “Empowering the Next Generation: Youth at the Heart of Internet Governance.”
“This forum provides a dynamic platform for dialogue and collaboration. It encourages inclusive policy development and supports a digitally empowered future,” concludes Wesi.
