[afnog] [members-discuss] In Memoriam: Alan Barrett

[Dr Paulos Nyirenda]

Very sad news, Alan will be missed in Africa and globally, 

Condolenses to his familly, friends and the entire Internet community which he served and 
often saved so well.

MHSRIEP

Dr Paulos B Nyirenda
NIC.MW & .mw ccTLD: http://www.nic.mw
SDNP: http://www.sdnp.org.mw



On 28 May 2026 at 15:41, Andrew Alston wrote:

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


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