SAHA raises awareness on access to information in Tshwane

July 14 saw SAHA in partnership the Right2Know campaign holding another awareness-raising workshop on access to information in Gauteng, this time in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.

42 Tshwane residents were trained on their right to information and accessing information using the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

Participants that attended the workshop comprised of community members and leaders from Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Attridgevile, Iterereleng and Tshwane CBD.

Participants indicated that they learnt a lot and intend to use PAIA to help with the issues they face in their communities. Mr Mashao Chauke, a participant at the training from the Schubart Park residence committee, said;

"I am happy that SAHA took their time to come to Pretoria to show us how we can go about accessing information to strengthen our cause... they [SAHA and the Right2Know campaign] must not stop with this community, they must go on and help others... knowledge is power!"

Participants indicated they need information to assist with issues in their community that include electricity, housing allocation and evictions, unemployment, health, safety and security, and sport and recreation. Since the training SAHA has submitted PAIA requests to the responsible bodies, including the City of Tshwane municipality, for information related to those issues.

For more information contact the Freedom of Access to Information Programme at SAHA.