Domain Name Authority Rips Off South Africans with Inflation-Linked Price Hike
In a move that will further squeeze the wallets of already-struggling South Africans, the South African Domain Name Authority (Zadna) has announced a 5.23% price hike for.za internet domains. The wholesale cost of domain name registrations will rise from R55 to R61 per domain name, effective October 1st.
This is not just a minor increase, but a brazen attempt to line the pockets of Zadna’s executives and stakeholders. The move comes as no surprise, given the authority’s history of price gouging and lack of transparency.
CEO Molehe Wesi’s statement that the price hike is necessary due to "inflation and foreign exchange rates" is nothing more than a smokescreen. The truth is that Zadna is simply taking advantage of the economic situation to further enrich itself.
But that’s not all – Zadna has also announced plans to introduce multiyear registrations and renewals, which will allow the authority to rake in even more cash. The current system of annual registrations and renewals will continue to be used, but only until Zadna can phase it out and implement its new, more lucrative model.
The real victims of this price hike are the internet service providers and domain registrants who will be forced to pass on the increased costs to their customers. This is a classic example of a regulatory body prioritizing its own interests over those of the public.
And if you thought this was the end of it, think again. Zadna’s pricing models predict further increases of 6.56% and 6.15% for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 periods, respectively. This is a clear indication that Zadna is intent on continuing to squeeze every last rand out of South Africans.
It’s time for the government to take action and hold Zadna accountable for its actions. The public deserves better than to be treated like ATMs by a regulatory body that is supposed to serve the public interest.
