Parliament has invited the organisations and interested individuals to nominate people (or apply themselves) for the President to appoint as members of the information regulator. Do you want to nominate someone? Do you know anyone who might want to nominate someone? Do you want to apply to be a member?

Finding the right members is important to ensure we have an effective regulator.

You must nominate someone or apply yourself before 31 August 2026.

Brief History of the Information Regulator members

The Information Regulator was established under POPIA. In December 20216, the President appointed it inaugural Chairperson and members for five-year term.

The inaugural members included Adv Pansy Tlakula (Chairperson), Adv Lebogang Stroom-Nzama, Adv Collen Weapond, Professor Sizwe Snail ka Mtuze and Professor Tana Pistorius. Professor Pistorius served as a part-time member until her resignation in 2020, while Professor Snail ka Mtuze completed the inaugural five-year term. Both played important roles in establishing the Information Regulator during its formative years, contributing their expertise to the institution’s development and providing early guidance on POPIA and PAIA.

In 2020, the President appointed Ms Alison Tilley for a five-year term to replace Professor Pistorious.

In 2021, Parliament invited nominations to fill vacancies as the first five-year terms ended. Following that process, President Cyril Ramaphosa reappointed Adv Pansy Tlakula (Chairperson), Adv Lebogang Stroom-Nzama and Adv Collen Weapond for a second five-year term as per section 41(3) of POPIA and appointed Mr Mfana Gwala as a part-time ordinary member. Ms Alison Tilley, who had been appointed in 2020, continued serving as a part-time member.

Earlier in 2026, Parliament conducted a separate appointment process to fill two vacancies that arose before the expiry of the current term. Following interviews and recommendations by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, the National Assembly approved the recommendation that Ms Nomagcina Mtshontshi be appointed as a full-time ordinary member and Ms Alison Tilley as a part-time ordinary member, both for a five-year term.

The August 2026 process to find members

Parliament has now opened a further nomination or application process to appoint three additional members of the Information Regulator (two full-time and one part-time) for a period of five years. The deadline is Monday, 31 August 2026.

In line with SDG 16 we want the Information Regulator to be a strong institution.

People have asked whether they can nominate us, but we’re not accepting nominations. We are passionate about protecting people from harm by protecting their personal information, but we believe we can currently make a greater contribution by helping organisations practically and effectively comply with data protection laws.

Who can be a member of the information regulator?

According to section 41 of POPIA, a member of the information regulator must be:

  • a South African citizen
  • appropriately qualified
  • fit and proper, and
  • have expertise and experience relating to the objects of the Regulator.

At least one member must have experience as a:

  • practising advocate or attorney, or
  • professor of law at a university.

How to submit a nomination or application

You can email your nomination or application to Mr. Vhonani Ramaano by no later than Monday, 31 August 2026. Your nomination or application must contain a Curriculum Vitae (CV) which includes:

  • full name, ID number, and gender
  • contact details (including physical address, telephone or cell number, and email address)
  • relevant previous experience (including relevant dates and organisations concerned)
  • academic qualifications.

For nomination, you must also provide:

  • the full name, physical address or email address and contact details of the person or organisation making the nomination, and
  • a signed acceptance of the nomination by the nominee.

You may send any enquiries to Mr. Vhonani Ramaano via cell: 083 709 8427. You can also read the full invitation from the Justice and Correctional Services Portfolio Committee.

What happens after submission?

Parliament has introduced a new step in the nomination or application process. Parliament will publish all nominations or applications it receives together with the CV’s for public comment. The Committee will suitably redact personal information on the CV’s. After the public comment period closes, the Committee will screen the shortlisted candidates.

Who cannot be a member?

  • Public servants
  • Members of Parliament, any provincial legislature or any municipal council
  • Office-bearers or employees of any political party
  • Unrehabilitated insolvents
  • Someone a court has declared to be mentally ill or unfit
  • Someone convicted of any offence involving dishonesty