The History of ZADNA

ByMycoza

📜 Introduction

Hi, I’m Aan Malambo, founder of MOS.com and a domain registrar. Join me as we explore the rich history of the South African Domain Name Authority (ZADNA) and its vital role in shaping South Africa’s digital landscape.

🌍 The Birth of the Internet in South Africa

South Africa, one of the most technologically advanced nations in Africa, received its .za country code top-level domain (ccTLD) from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in 1990.

Key Milestones

  • 1988 – Rhodes University received South Africa’s first IP address.
  • 1989 – The first email was sent from Rhodes University to Oregon, USA.
  • 1991 – The first IP connection was established.
  • 1992 – Commercial internet access began with BKSync.co.za, the first .co.za domain.
  • 1997 – The African National Congress (ANC) launched ANC.org.za, becoming one of Africa’s first political organizations with an online presence.

🏛️ The Formation of ZADNA

Established in 2002, ZADNA emerged as a regulatory body overseeing domain name registrations under the .za namespace. It became a leader in:
✅ Domain Management
✅ Legislation & Internet Governance
✅ Digital Education & Training

🚀 Key Contributions of ZADNA

📖 Education & Training

  • Provides DNS training and collaborates with Meta to offer accredited DNS courses.
  • Offers domain reseller and registrar training to empower businesses and individuals.

⚖️ Internet Governance

  • Oversees the South African Internet Governance Forum (IGF) to shape digital policies.
  • Encourages multi-stakeholder collaboration between government, academia, industry, and civil society.

🔧 Technology & Infrastructure

  • Developed and implemented the Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) to streamline domain registration.
  • Ensures stability and security of the .za domain space.

📈 The Future of ZADNA

As the digital landscape evolves, ZADNA remains committed to:
✅ Strengthening internet governance and policy development
✅ Enhancing digital literacy and professional growth
✅ Maintaining the security and integrity of South Africa’s online identity

🏆 Conclusion

From its early days to the present, ZADNA has been a driving force in shaping South Africa’s digital identity, promoting education, and ensuring a thriving, competitive online environment.

💡 Thanks for joining this journey through the history of ZADNA!