In article , Alun
writes:

The authorities in South Africa reacted to the demise of the ITU code
test requirement in a truly bizarre way, by suggesting a third class of
licence with a ZT call, with a 5wpm code test and limited HF privileges.

Why was this a "truly bizarre way"?

This has been shelved, due to what they say were a large number of
comments.

Democracy in action.

No such licence will now be implemented, so don't expect to
hear any ZT calls anytime soon.

Instead, they are proposing a dual route to a full licence, offering a
choice between either an advanced theory test or a code test for each
candidate. This was proposed by many people in many countries whilst
there still was an ITU requirement for a code test, but this is the first
time I have seen it resurface since it ended.

Sounds like a very reasonable compromise.

If South Africa does
implement it, they will be the first and probably only country to do so.

Why? Perhaps it could be a way out of the constant arguments. It wasn't
possible before, due to the treaty.

They are also proposing to give the same limited HF privileges that they
would have given to the new licence, to the existing restricted licence
instead, without any addtional testing.

How many has in South Africa, anyway?

73 de Jim, N2EY