---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Andrew Alston via zanog-discuss <
zanog-discuss@lists.nog.net.za>
Date: Thu, May 28, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Subject: [zanog-discuss] In Memoriam: Alan Barrett
To: zanog-discuss <
zanog-discuss@lists.nog.net.za>
Cc: Andrew Alston <
aa@alstonnetworks.net>
Dear friends and colleagues,
As some of you will already be aware, it is with immense sadness that
we confirm, on behalf of his wife Kerry and the family, the passing of
Alan Barrett. Alan died on May 28th in Cape Town, South Africa,
following a diagnosis of late-stage cancer about a month ago. We are
sharing this notice so that the community has accurate information at
a moment when Kerry and the family need space to grieve.
Alan was a friend, a willing listener, and someone who always stepped
up to help when called upon. His contributions to the African Internet
ecosystem were second to none, and with his passing we lose not only a
friend but a giant of the industry.
In 1990, Alan helped establish the very first Internet connection to
South African universities, and in 1993 he co-founded the country's
first commercial Internet Service Provider. In 1997 he co-authored the
proposal to create AfriNIC and subsequently served on the steering
committee tasked with bringing it into being. Alan served on the
AfriNIC board from 2004 to 2009 and was a member of the NRO NC from
2004 to 2014. In 2015 he was appointed CEO of AfriNIC, a role he held
until 2019.
Beyond Africa, he was a central participant in the IANA Stewardship
Transition Coordination Group, and until his death served on the ICANN
board on behalf of the Address Supporting Organisation.
Alan will be sorely missed by the community, his relatives and his wife, Kerry.
Kerry and the family ask for privacy at this time. We will be
organising an online memorial in due course and will share details
once they are available.
Andrew Alston
Remco van Mook