Julia Ntombikayise Hope
Managing Director
Julia Ntombikayise Hope is the Founder and Managing Director of HopeLaFleur Communications Networks (HCN). She has a Master of Science Degree (M.Sc.) in Telecommunications, obtained from the Moscow Technical University of Communications and information Technology.
Julia has extensive experience at operational, regulatory and policy levels in the Telecommunications and Broadcasting fields, which adds value to HCN and its clients.
She has worked in the telecommunication industry in South Africa for over nineteen years, initially at the Department of Post and Telecommunications in Pretoria as the first black microwave engineer, BOP Broadcasting Corporation as Senior Manager Signal Distribution, Sentech as Senior Manager Satellite Facilities and served as a Councillor of the communication regulator ICASA from 2000 to 2004.
While at ICASA Julia helped to establish and served as the chairperson of its Technical Policy Committee (TPC), established and served as Chairperson of the Standard Liaison Committee (SLC). She also served as Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson on various ICASA panels for hearings and public processes on telecommunications and broadcasting regulatory and licensing matters.
Julia was a member of the adjudication panel involved in the licensing of the 30% BEE stake and 49 % stake of the SNO. Julia led the ICASA panel involved in the third cellular (Cell C) licensing process and the awarding of its licence.
Julia served as Chairperson of TRASA Committee (Telecommunications Regulators Association of Southern Africa – presently known as Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) and as a member of the panel for numerous hearings and processes on telecommunications regulatory matters. In 2003 she served on the Executive Committee of TRASA as deputy Chairperson.
In 2005 she was appointed as a Director of East Rand Stereo, a community broadcasting radio station based in Ekurhuleni. In 2006 she was elected as the Deputy Chairperson and in November 2008 she was elected as the Chairperson of the board of Directors.
In August 2008 was appointed Isett Seta Education Training Quality Assurer (ETQA) Advisor. She also served on the Telkom SA Board as a Non-Executive Director from 2009 – 2012. In 2015 Julia established a company called Mzansisearch.com. Mzansisearch provides Online directory search services and classified Ads Julia is a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and a member of the Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IoDSA).
Mortimer Hope
Director
Mortimer is a seasoned professional with over twenty years of experience in the Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) field. He has held various executive management positions such as Head of Spectrum Management at the South African communications regulator ICASA, Head of Technical Regulation at Vodacom (part of the Vodafone Group), and Head of Spectrum & Public Policy as well as Head of Africa at the GSMA.
Mortimer has worked on projects such as Mobile Number Portability, Spectrum Band Plans, Numbering Plans, Regulation of International Mobile Roaming. He has also participated in studies on taxation in African countries such as Tanzania, Ghana and DRC as well as a study on the proposed Wholesale Open Access Network in South Africa.
Mortimer has presented on spectrum related and regulatory matters at a number of conferences and has represented South Africa at four ITU World Radiocommunications Conferences.
Mortimer holds a MSc degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics, and a MBA from the University of Pretoria. He is registered as a Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and is a Fellow of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE).
