Welcome to the Association of System Operators

The ASO is an independent body formed to represent the interests of all Payment System Operators in the RSA.

Become a member

The Association of System Operators (ASO) was created at the beginning of 2007 in preparation for the new structure for participation by non-banks in the formal payment system processes introduced by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) in conjunction with the issuance of the Directive for Payment System Operators. The ASO is an independent body formed to represent the interests of all Payment System Operators in the RSA. The aim is to provide a non profit forum in which association members can address issues of common interest and interface with payment industry stakeholders, government and regulatory organisations. In this capacity, the ASO will be holding a seat on the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) National Payment System Advisory Board.we like best, every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided.

But in certain circumstances and owing to the claims of duty or the obligations of business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be repudiated and annoyances accepted.

Office bearers

  • Steven Kark
    Steven Kark

    Chairperson



    Wynand has been involved in payments for 25 years and is a thought leader in the field of the optimisation of bulk collections.

    As co-founder and COO of Q LINK, a specialist payments provider, he lives his passion by developing business opportunities, consulting on collections strategies and supporting the business to deliver on new innovations.

    He participates in several industry and regulatory forums, speaks at conventions and has relationships with many role players in the payments system.
    His previous experience includes the development of systems in defence technologies and the design and operation of transactional switches and gateways. Wynand has filled many leadership positions both in business and the community.

    His motto is to have fun and to share with others while striving for excellence.

  • Anthony de Gray Birch
    Anthony de Gray Birch

    Treasurer



    Steven is the co-founder and Group CEO of Paycorp, a South African based international payments company. Steven holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wits University (Johannesburg) and a Post Graduate Diploma of Business Administration from London’s Thames University (now University of West London).

    Steven co-founded Paycorp and the group’s main operating subsidiaries – ATM Solutions in 1999, DrawCard in 2004 and EFTPOS in 2005.

    In addition to his role as Paycorp CEO, Steven is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation, a founding member of ATMIA Africa, and currently the Vice Chairman of the Association of Payment System Operators (ASO) – and was Chairman from 2006 to 2020.