We are pleased to extend our congratulations to the drafters of the Open Democracy Bill, as a document aimed at entrenching and giving effect to the privacy rights of the constitution.
We are particularly pleased at the progress made on the Bill in reaching a balance between the interests of society and business, and the cognisance taken of the legitimate needs and practicalities of the business sector.
We encourage the National Council of Provinces and National Assembly to build positively on the progress made to date, and not countenance any pressure to revert to impractical or unrealistic privacy measures.
Intentional precedent has been clearly established, especially as it relates to the right to object to the use or disclosure of personal information.
These precedents have been proven to effectively and efficiently protect the rights of both the individual and the business sector, and should be entrenched in our body of law.
It is, however, of concern that a Bill entrenching government transparency refers many issues to regulation, with no requirement to consult with the private sector bodies that will be directly or indirectly impacted by the Regulations. In this regard we strongly urge that this be addressed, and that the process of drafting regulation be subject to consultation with those private bodies that will be affected by the Regulations.
Furthermore, whilst we may have concerns regarding the current capacity of the Human Rights Commission to manage the Act as proposed, we note our preference to utilising the infrastructure and services of that existing body, as opposed to the creation of yet another revenue draining Commission or Authority.
C.B. CHENERY
MANAGING DIRECTOR
TUPPERWARE SOUTHERN AFRICA