[rpd] RDP Discussion

[Ben Roberts - AfriNIC]

> Nonhlanhla,
> 
My mail was clearly and unequivocally addressed to Mandla asking him a valid question. 

It was not a general point for discussion, so there was no need to answer for him. But thanks for stepping in to clarify affiliations.  We now fully understand. 

Kind regards
Ben

Sent from my iPhone

> On 23 Jul 2026, at 07:51, NP Petronella <NPertuniaPetronella at outlook.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Ben,
> 
> You certainly make a lot of assumptions about people.
> 
> No, I do not speak for Mandla or NRS. I responded to a general point on a public mailing list. Supporting another participant’s argument does not create an affiliation, agency relationship, or shared identity.
> 
> Mandla’s job title also does not mean every contribution he makes is an assigned organisational statement. Unless he expressly says he is authorised to represent NRS, his contribution is his own. You may ask Mandla about his capacity, but you should not invent one for either of us.
> 
> That is the basic distinction between participation and representation. Please address the argument instead of constructing relationships between the people raising it.
> 
> Regards,
> Nonhlanhla
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: Ben Roberts - AfriNIC <ben.roberts at afrinic.net>
> Sent: Thursday, 23 July 2026 07:45:30
> To: Petronella NP <NPertuniaPetronella at outlook.com>
> Cc: rpd at afrinic.net <rpd at afrinic.net>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] RDP Discussion
>  
> Nonhlanhla,
> 
> Can I assume you know Mandla and/or NRS well enough to speak on his or their behalf. ?
> 
> He has clearly stated that he is a policy insights contributor at NRS. So if he then contributes policy insights, you can see why it appears that he is doing is assigned job for his employer ?  
> 
> Kind regards
> Ben
> 
> Previous message from Mandla…
> 
> Good day,
> 
> Mandla,Policy insights contributor at NRS.
> 
> Regards 
> _______________________________________________
> RPD mailing list
> RPD at afrinic.net
> https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On 23 Jul 2026, at 07:36, NP Petronella <NPertuniaPetronella at outlook.com> wrote:
>>> 
>> 
>> Dear Ben,
>> 
>> Mandla’s position is straightforward. AFRINIC’s PDP is open to anyone and imposes no qualification for participation. A contributor does not automatically represent their employer merely because an affiliation is known. 
>> 
>> Unless Mandla expressly states that he is authorised to speak for NRS, his contribution is his own. Employment is context, not a power of attorney.
>> 
>> Assuming otherwise confuses participation with representation and suggests a misunderstanding of how an open PDP works. Please assess Mandla’s argument as Mandla’s argument.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Nonhlanhla 
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