Eskom has been announced as the winner of this year’s Golden Key Award for Most Responsive Public Body by SAHRC. The winner is voted for by the media, political parties and chapter nine institutions (organisations established in terms of Chapter 9 of the South African Constitution to guard democracy).
Chief executive of Eskom, Brian Molefe, said Eskom had won the Golden Key Award in 2008, 2009 and 2013. “Winning it again this year is a clear demonstration that the company has not wavered from its commitment to transparency, openness and responsiveness,” Molefe said.
He explained that as a model corporate citizen, Eskom is fully behind the spirit and letter of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). “Our policy is, as a minimum, to comply with all legislation and we thus ensure that legislative requirements are incorporated into Eskom policies, procedures and standards at all times,” Molefe stated.
The annual Golden Key Awards are aimed at giving recognition to government departments, deputy information officers, and private institutions for best practice in nurturing a positive sentiment to openness and setting up enabling organisational systems and procedures that promote compliance with the provisions of the PAIA 2 of 2000.
PAIA is a component of anti-corruption legislation and enables individuals and communities to request information from all public bodies and, where other rights are affected, from private institutions. It is especially important in the area of service delivery and the enforcement of socio-economic rights.
Share your views on the story with us @MidrandReporter
