If you think 2010 disappeared in a flash, you’re not the only one. It’s been a tumultuous but fast-paced year in local IT and telecommunications, especially in politics.

Communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda was axed by President Jacob Zuma, replaced by his predecessor’s deputy, Roy Padayachie. Perhaps Nyanda underestimated the fall-out of his fight with his director-general, Mamodupi Mohlala.

Our “Newsmakers of the Year” award is presented to individuals we believe had the biggest impact on SA’s technology sector. For the most part, they’re also the the people who made the headlines in 2010. Part 2, consisting of positions 5 through to 1, follows on Wednesday.

If you missed our list of the international newsmakers of 2010, you can find it here. — Staff reporter, TechCentral

Paris Mashile

We learned a lot about the former chairman of the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) this year. For example, he has a penchant for good wine and loves to quote William Shakespeare.

But Mashile made headlines for very different reasons in 2010, the most notable of which was his tough stance on mobile termination rates. “They can run but they can’t hide. It will happen. It’s inevitable, like death and taxes,” he warned operators in his inimitable style when the battle to cut rates began in earnest.

Mashile also started several other regulatory processes, which were then taken up by his successor, Stephen Mncube. He kicked off the mobile TV licensing process, licensed new pay-TV players and still did it with some panache.

Under his leadership, many of the regulations that should have been implemented didn’t actually happen. He was also criticised for not taking a fine-tooth comb to the prepaid cellphone rates. In his final speech to industry, he admitted the regulator had failed the public, and he took full responsibility for it.

Mashile is now working in the telecommunications industry. — CJ

Phuthuma Nhleko

One of the bigger surprises of the year was the resignation of MTN’s group president and CEO, Phuthuma Nhleko, who has led the business for the past seven years.

He has created a well-oiled machine in MTN and driven its emerging markets expansion. After a bumpy start to the year — thanks to billing problems at its SA operation — the group pulled off a successful sponsorship of the soccer World Cup.

However, by far the biggest news from MTN this year was the announcement of the biggest black economic empowerment deal so far in the telecommunications sector.

The R8,1bn offer was more than 1,7 times oversubscribed and raised R2,8bn from more than 124 000 applicants. Nhleko will leave MTN in March. There’s still no word on who will replace him. — CJ

Nombulelo Moholi

Since she was reappointed to Telkom’s executive team, Nombulelo Moholi, known to her friends and colleagues as Pinky, has largely kept her head down and begun reshaping Telkom’s local business.

For the most part, she has managed to make headlines for the right reasons. And she is well respected in the telecoms industry for her open and consultative approach.

One of the highlights of the year was the launch of 8ta, Telkom’s mobile network. Under Moholi’s leadership, 8ta has hit the ground running. — CJ

Quraysh Patel

Quraysh Patel’s term as Sentech chairman was short lived, but in the six months or so he was in the position, he arguably achieved more to set the state-owned broadcasting signal distributor on the right track than most executives achieve in years.

Patel, refreshingly open to the media about Sentech’s problems, set about cleaning up the rot at the company. And there was plenty of that! Patel was also instrumental in recommending the appointment of Sentech’s new CEO, Setumo Mohapi, who, by all accounts, has the credentials to repair Sentech and lead it into the digital era.

The only pity, really, is that Patel didn’t stick around for longer. He could have achieved more, but said he wanted to leave as he wanted to pursue personal business interests that would have conflicted with his work at Sentech. — DM

Roy Padayachie

It’s only been a month since Roy Padayachie took the reins from Siphiwe Nyanda, but already the new communications minister has left a good impression on the industries he oversees.

One opposition party quipped that he was the only minister appointed after the big cabinet reshuffle late in October that has set out his approach to the problems on his plate.

Padayachie has already scrapped the controversial Public Service Broadcasting Bill and has started to fix the problems at the department. One department employee says there is now a common goal and staff are getting down to work.

It’s early days yet but so far we like what we see — lengthy, taxpayer-funded hotel stay excepted. — CJ