Outgoing CEO Shanapinda takes up Communications Regulators Executive Secretary role

Staff Reporter DR Stanley Shanapinda has been appointed Executive Secretary of the Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), marking a significant regional leadership transition in the Southern African telecommunications and ICT sector. Shanapinda, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Namibia, confirmed that he has accepted the appointment following a competitive regional recruitment process. CRASA is a SADC-based organisation mandated to promote regulatory harmonisation and cooperation among communications regulators in the region.

His appointment comes after serving as CEO of Telecom Namibia since 2021, during which the company implemented a wide-ranging transformation programme focused on network modernisation, digital transformation, customer experience improvements, and long-term sustainability. Key initiatives under his leadership included the rollout of Telecom Namibia’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan 2023–2027, upgrades to next-generation OSS/BSS systems, advancements in fixed-mobile convergence, and increased investment in digital infrastructure and network expansion. Shanapinda said his time at Telecom Namibia had been both a privilege and an honour, adding that while challenges remain in the telecommunications sector, the company had made significant progress in positioning itself for future growth.