Have you ever wondered who manages all those website names ending with .za in South Africa? 

ZADNA is the official body in charge of regulating and managing the entire .za domain name space. 

This means every .za website, from small businesses to government pages, operates under the rules set by ZADNA.

So, What’s Zadna

ZADNA stands for the .ZA Domain Name Authority.

It’s a non-profit organization established to administer and regulate the .za country code top-level domain (ccTLD) — which is South Africa’s official internet domain.

What exactly does ZADNA do?

ZADNA doesn’t just oversee domain names; it also sets guidelines and makes sure domain disputes are handled fairly.

With so many people and companies online, a steady hand keeping things organized is important. Clear rules and easy registration mean more South Africans can build a presence on the web.

ZADNA is responsible for:

1. Policy development:
   It sets the rules and policies for managing .za domain names.
   
2. Licensing and oversight:
   It accredits and regulates domain registries and registrars that operate under the .za namespace.
   
3. Promoting fair access:
   It ensures that South Africans have equitable and affordable access to domain name services.
   
4. Monitoring abuse:
   It safeguards against domain-related crimes like phishing, cyber-squatting, and fake registrations.
   
5. Public awareness:
   ZADNA also educates users about domain name rights, best practices, and cyber safety.
   
6. Managing the list of all .za web addresses
   
7. Promoting online awareness

Who controls ZADNA?

ZADNA is accountable to the South African government, specifically the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT).

However, it operates independently and engages stakeholders from industry, academia, civil society, and government in policymaking.

Mandate and Legal Framework

Zadna gets its power from the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECT Act No. 25 of 2002). Chapter X of this law set out how .zadna must work.

This law says .zadna must:

• Administer the .za namespace
• License and regulate registries and registrars
• Publish and update registration guidelines
• Monitor the .za space for illegal or harmful use
• Make sure .za matches international best practice

Because of this law, .zadna can enforce rules and keep the .za namespace stable. The ECT Act helps make sure that your .za domain is protected under South African law.

.zadna’s legal setup means you get transparent rules. Registrars need a license, so only reliable partners can sell .za names.

If there’s a dispute about a domain name, .zadna provides a way to resolve it according to set guidelines.

What are the .za second-level domains?

ZADNA oversees several second-level domains under .za, including:

• .co.za – for commercial entities (most popular)
• .org.za – for non-profits and NGOs
• .gov.za – reserved for government use
• .ac.za – for academic and research institutions
• .net.za, .web.za, etc.

Each of these is managed by a specific registry operator, with ZACR (ZA Central Registry) being the primary one for .co.za.

Is ZADNA a registrar?

No. ZADNA does not sell domain names. It sets the rules and licenses registrars (like Truehost, HostAfrica, Xneelo, 1-grid, etc.) who sell .za domains to the public.

Want to learn more?

You can visit their official website here: www.zadna.org.za

It includes:

• Policy documents
• Public notices
• Registrar and registry lists
• Annual reports
• Educational content

Got it. Here’s the same content with all horizontal lines removed:

How to Register a .ZA Domain Using Truehost

If you’re looking to claim your slice of the South African internet with a .za domain, Truehost makes the process fast, affordable, and reliable.

We provide full access to .za domains like .co.za, .org.za, .web.za, and others.

Here’s how it works:

1) Choose your preferred domain extension

Under ZADNA, there are multiple second-level .za domains, each serving a different purpose:

Extension	Ideal for
.co.za	Businesses, startups, ecommerce, individuals
.org.za	NGOs, non-profits, advocacy groups
.net.za	Network services, IT-based organizations
.web.za	General-purpose use
.ac.za	Academic and research institutions (restricted)
.gov.za	Government departments (restricted)
.za.com	Unofficial alternative to .co.za

Most users register .co.za — it’s widely recognized and open to everyone.

2) Search your domain

Go to our domain checker and enter your desired name.

We instantly check its availability
If taken, we show available alternatives
If available, proceed to register

3) Add to cart and proceed to checkout

You’ll be prompted to:

• Create or log in to your Truehost client account
• Choose how many years you want the domain for (1 to 10 years)
• Decide if you want domain privacy or email/hosting add-ons

4) Complete payment

We accept secure local and international payment methods, including:

• Card
• PayFast
• EFT
• PayPal

Once payment is confirmed, we instantly activate your .za domain.

5) Manage your domain from the Truehost dashboard

With your new domain, you can:

• Set up business email addresses
• Point it to your web hosting or landing page
• Update WHOIS details or nameservers
• Renew or transfer with a click

You stay in full control.

Why register a .ZA domain through Truehost?

✔️ ZADNA-accredited registrar
✔️ Fast registration, instant activation
✔️ Free DNS management
✔️ Affordable pricing with no hidden fees
✔️ 24/7 customer support from real humans

We’re not just another registrar. We’re your local hosting partner, helping you build and grow your online presence in South Africa and beyond.

.ZA domain FAQs

Do I need to be a South African citizen to register a .co.za domain?
No. .co.za, .org.za, .net.za, and .web.za are open to anyone worldwide.

How long does it take to activate a .za domain?
When you register through Truehost, it’s activated immediately once payment clears.

Can I transfer my existing .za domain to Truehost?
Absolutely. Just provide your domain EPP code, and we’ll handle the rest — at no extra cost.

How much does a .co.za domain cost?
We offer some of the lowest rates in the market. Visit our live pricing page at Truehost.co.za/domains

Ready to register?

Want to build your brand on a South African domain?
Register your .za domain today at 👉 Truehost.co.za

Need help choosing the right domain? Just ask — we’ve got you.