[rpd] RDP Discussion

[Phetulo Dhlamini]

Hi Ben,

Mandla can answer for Mandla. His job title does not automatically turn
every contribution he makes into an official NRS position. An affiliation
provides context; it is not a power of attorney.

You say it is not for you to judge, but then imply that similar views and
writing establish organisational coordination. That remains an assumption,
not evidence. People can agree in a public discussion without becoming
colleagues, agents, or one institutional voice.

I did not clarify anyone’s affiliation. I challenged the idea that
employment automatically equals representation. If NRS issues an
organisational position, it can identify it expressly. Until then, each
contributor should be treated as speaking for themselves.

Regards,
Phetulo

On Thu, 23 Jul 2026, 10:41 Ben Roberts - AfriNIC, <ben.roberts at afrinic.net>
wrote:

> Ok Phetulo,
> Let’s wait for Mandla’s reply. Please do note that his job at NRS he told
> us that his job at NRS was a policy insights contributor. So when he
> contributes policy insights, I think we can take a first assumption that he
> is doing the job he’s been assigned by his employer.
>
> Please also note that I respect Nandla’s contribution, since he has
> introduced himself properly and his affiliation. It is important to make
> proper introductions, as I’ve said.
>
> By co-incidence it seems that Nandla, an NRS employee has similar views,
> expressed with identical arguments and writing style, with a very active
> collective of other contributors, who have clarified that they are speaking
> on their personal individual behalf’s. It’s not for me to take any judgment
> position otherwise, so for those who have stated their non affiliation with
> NRS (which I didn’t ask), we now as a community now that these are all free
> thinking individuals.
>
> Kind regards
> Ben
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 23 Jul 2026, at 10:23, Phetulo Dhlamini <phetulodhlamini at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> 
> Dear Ben,
>
> No, I am not saying that I am affiliated with NRS, nor that Mandla and I
> are the same person.
>
> I replied because I was making a general point, using Mandla’s situation
> as an example: a participant’s affiliation does not automatically make
> their personal contribution an organisational position. Mandla can speak
> for himself, and I speak only for myself.
>
> This is a public discussion. Responding to a point does not require being
> the person originally addressed.
>
> Regards,
> Phetulo
>
> On Thu, 23 Jul 2026, 08:43 Phetulo Dhlamini, <phetulodhlamini at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Ben,
>>
>> No, you should not make that assumption.
>>
>> I participate in the PDP in my personal capacity and speak for myself
>> unless I expressly state that I am authorised to represent an organisation.
>> My affiliation provides context; it does not turn every contribution into
>> an NRS position.
>>
>> Treating employment as automatic representation confuses a stakeholder
>> with a principal and misunderstands how open PDP participation works.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Phetulo
>>
>> On Thu, 23 Jul 2026, 07:40 Ben Roberts - AfriNIC, <
>> ben.roberts at afrinic.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Phetulo,
>>>
>>> My email message was to Mandla who had already stated his NRS
>>> affiliation. I’m slightly confused by your reply to the message addressed
>>> to him. Are you also saying you are NRS affiliated, or that you and Mandla
>>> are the same person ?
>>>
>>> Kind regards
>>> Ben
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> > On 23 Jul 2026, at 07:32, Phetulo Dhlamini <phetulodhlamini at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > 
>>> > Hi Ben,
>>> >
>>> > No, you should not make that assumption.
>>> >
>>> > I participate in the PDP in my personal capacity and speak for myself
>>> unless I expressly state that I am authorised to represent an organisation.
>>> My affiliation provides context; it does not turn every contribution into
>>> an NRS position.
>>> >
>>> > Treating employment as automatic representation confuses a stakeholder
>>> with a principal and misunderstands how open PDP participation works.
>>> >
>>> > Regards,
>>> > Phetulo
>>>
>>
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