PAIA Manual Template (South Africa)

Under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), every 'private body' — which includes companies, close corporations and even sole proprietors who run a business — must compile and make available a section 51 manual.

The exemption that many small businesses relied on has fallen away, so the safe assumption is: yes, you need one. It must describe the records you hold and how someone can request access to them.

FoundersDesk generates your PAIA manual pre-filled with your company particulars and the Information Regulator's current contact details, alongside your POPIA privacy policy.