Odac

ODAC facilitates interventions aimed at the provision of legal advice and helping citizens access their rights, in respect of The Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Protected Disclosures Act. The operations of ODAC will largely revolve around networking, advocacy and research.

The key objectives of ODAC's advocacy work are to:

Enhance civil society access to public & private information through the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).
Enhance capacity of holders of information to realise effectively the right to access information through the operation of PAIA and PAJA.
Promote the fight against corruption by supporting actual and potential bona fide whistle-blowers using the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA).
Support effective implementation of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, and the Protected Disclosures Act.
Support the implementing and monitoring agencies in the performance of their statutory responsibilities under both laws through replication of international best practices and benchmarks.
Conduct research on implementation of both laws and inform law reform processes.

'Whistleblowing legislation - does it work?' Presentation for the South African Society for Labour Law: Alison Tilley's presentation to SASLAW on the issues arising from the PDA.
A statement by Professor Kader Asmal: In his remarks marking the launch of the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Review of State Institutions Supporting Democracyby, Professor Kader Asmal, M.P., Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee hailed a submission by ODAC as 'outstanding'. (Good Hope Building, Parliament, on Tuesday, 21 August 2007)
Auditor-General's Offices scoops award, Odac re-elected to the coordinating committee of Deputy Information Officers' Forum : (Monday, October 01, 2007) The South African Human Rights Commission announced that the Office of the Auditor General as the overall winner of this year’s openness and responsiveness award known as the Golden Key Award for Public Body of the Year. Held annually, on the International Right Day to Know Day, 28 September, the Golden Key Awards which, are a joint effort between the SA Human Rights Commission and the Open Democracy Advice Centre, are aimed at giving recognition to government departments, deputy information officers, and private institutions, for best practice in nurturing positive sentiment to openness and setting up enabling organizational systems and procedures that promote compliance with the provisions PAIA.
Statement on behalf of the Golden Key Awards Researchers : A statement by Mukelani Dimba, ODAC's Deputy CEO and Golden Key Awards project manager and , at the Awards ceremony held at the Kyalami Castle on the International Right to Know Day, 28 September 2007.
Golden Key Awards 2007: In the second annual Golden Key Awards, the Best Public Institution was announced at a ceremony on Friday night at the Kyalami Castle in Midrand. This was part of the celebration of international Right to Know day.The Office of the Auditor General came away with the Golden Key Award for openness and responsiveness. The judges, represented by Kate Allen of SAHA, congratulated the Auditor General on their achievements, and added that special mention had to be made of Limpopo Department of Health and Social Development for best practice amongst provincial government departments. Deputy Information officer of the Year was jointly awarded this year, to Amelda Crooks of the SAPS, and Eddie Laubscher of Eskom. The SAHRC Commissioner responsible for the promotion of the Access to Information Act, Dr Leon Wessels, reminded the audience of the need to focus on achievements as well as challenges. In her speech the CEO of ODAC, Alison Tilley, congratulated the assembled Information officers on their achievements. "The occasion of the second Information Officer's Forum, and the Golden key Awards, is an opportunity to celebrate best practice in putting the systems in place that are needed to ensure openness. We have a long way to go, but we need to stop and recognise those who are getting it right" said Tilley. Special recognition was also given to ABSA Group Ltd for excellent practice in the private sector. "The number of private sector bodies prepared to participate left us with too small a sample to make an award" said Tilley. "We are very aware that access to information has been the subject of a lot of focus in the public sector, but the private sector are not coming to the party in any numbers." The awards are made jointly by the SAHRC and ODAC, the Open Democracy Advice Centre, on an annual basis.
In Support of a New Culture of Openness in South Africa SAHRC PAIA indaba 2003: The Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) was established in 2000 to help ensure that the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA), along with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, was effectively implemented and able to meet its objectives. ODAC was founded by IDASA, the Black Sash Trust and the Public Law Department of the University of Cape Town. ODAC’s mission is to promote open and transparent democracy, foster a culture of corporate accountability, and assist people in South Africa to realise their human rights.
Submission to the South African Law Reform Commission re Discussion Paper Project 123: We would express our appreciation to the Law Commission for the thorough and careful approach they have taken to the submissions made, including those of ODAC. While generally supportive of the Commission’s recommendations, we have a number of comments to make on the Commission’s proposed drafting of amendments, as well as comments to make on the specific issues raised by the Commission.
Research commissioned by the SAHRC on the establishment of an Information Commissioner: Research on the Feasibility of the Establishment of an Information Commissioner’s Office
ODAC Presentation to the Second National Anti-Corruption Summit 2005: The resolutions for the Second National Anti-Corruption Summit contains a number of provisions on the Protected Disclosures Act.
Submission to Classification and Declassification Review Committee: In response to invitation to comment
Memorandum on Exemptions in terms of PAIA: Submissions made in response to an invitation to provide a comprehensive memorandum on exemptions
Submission to the Asmal Committee reviewing Chapter Nine Institutions: ODAC made representations to this Committee, arguing for the establishment of an Information Commissioner.

'Whistleblowing legislation - does it work?' Presentation for the South African Society for Labour Law:

A statement by Professor Kader Asmal:

Auditor-General's Offices scoops award, Odac re-elected to the coordinating committee of Deputy Information Officers' Forum :

Statement on behalf of the Golden Key Awards Researchers :

Golden Key Awards 2007:

In Support of a New Culture of Openness in South Africa SAHRC PAIA indaba 2003:

Submission to the South African Law Reform Commission re Discussion Paper Project 123:

Research commissioned by the SAHRC on the establishment of an Information Commissioner:

ODAC Presentation to the Second National Anti-Corruption Summit 2005:

Submission to Classification and Declassification Review Committee:

Memorandum on Exemptions in terms of PAIA:

Submission to the Asmal Committee reviewing Chapter Nine Institutions: