The Open Democracy Advice Centre is a section 21 non-profit company based in Cape Town.
ODAC’s mission is to promote open and transparent democracy; foster a culture of corporate and government accountability; and assist people in South Africa to be able to realize their human rights. ODAC seeks to achieve its mission through realising the right to know so that it makes a material, tangible difference to the lives of the poor, and thereby contributes to social and economic justice. Hence ODAC provides practical and niche services to individuals and organisations with a social justice agenda to help citizens access their rights in respect of three key pieces of legislation:
- The Protected Disclosures Act 2000 (PDA) Assented to and signed on 1 August 2000
- The Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (PAIA) Signed by the President on 2 February 2000
- The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 2000 (PAJA) Signed by the President on 3 February 2000
What we intend to do
Enhance civil society access to public and private information through the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) including test case requests for public and privately held information and test case litigation. Promote the fight against corruption by supporting actual and potential bona fide whistle blowers using the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) by providing legal advice, support and case referral. Support effective implementation of the new legislation by assisting public and private institutions to develop policies, procedures and systems. Provide public information and training on using the legislation through public awareness campaigns, and workshops. Monitor the implementation and use of the legislation in order to refine and improve it by conducting applied and comparative research