Alison Gillwald has worked for numerous research bodies in the information and communications technology (ICT) arena, as well as establishing her own. She oversees training for ICT researchers and regulators at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. She flies around the world to influence policy-makers in numerous countries. She’s served on the board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and as a councillor with Satra, the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

Hang on a second; she’s served the squabbling SABC and the much-derided Satra? Is this perhaps a woman with some history she doesn’t care to brag about?