[rpd] Policy supremacy

[Ben Roberts - AfriNIC]

Gugu and Tshepo,

Perhaps you can explain to us how you ended up thinking of near identical opening sentences to your emails ?    

“Introductions can be helpful, but they are voluntary. They should not become an informal test of who qualifies as a “genuine” community member.”

“ introductions can provide context, but they should not become a test of whether someone is a “genuine” community member.”

By way of introduction, my profile can be found here. https://btw.media/en/governance/rir-watchdog/afrinic/benjamin-mark-roberts
Kind Regards
Ben




Sent from my iPhone

> On 21 Jul 2026, at 17:15, Tshepo Masuku <TshepoMasuku26 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Ben,
> Introductions can provide context, but they should not become a test of whether someone is a “genuine” community member.
> 
> An open process cannot presume that familiar participants belong while newcomers must prove themselves. If affiliation disclosure is important, it should be a clear and equal rule covering everyone, including employers, clients, funding, and organisational interests.
> 
> Until such a rule exists, contributions should be judged by their substance and conduct, not by whether the established circle recognises the sender.
> 
> Regards,
> Tshepo
> 
> 
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