Have your say on eThekwini’s open data policy

THE idea that some data should be freely available to everyone to use and redistribute without restrictions has been gaining popularity globally and in South Africa. With this in mind, eThekwini Municipality has decided to draft an Open Data Policy to be used as guide in the provision of open data to citizens.

According to eThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa, to be inclusive and encourage public participation in this process, the City is inviting the public to participate in a survey and determine what should be included in the policy.

“The survey is made up of five simple questions such as which municipal data should be open to the public and which should not as well as how such information should be made available. Following this initial consultation and best practice research, the eThekwini Open Data Policy will be drafted and circulated to internal and external stakeholders for comment at a later stage.,” she said.

In response, Kevin Dunkley of Save Our Berea described the decision by the city was, “living in Durban can sometimes be like visiting Alice in Wonderland, and the Mad Hatter is in charge. One cannot help but be cynical when this initiative comes from a municipality who has a long record of not listening to the citizens and of conducting its affairs with a total lack of transparency. Why would there be a sudden change of heart? A municipal election perhaps within the next twelve months? In order for there to be any meaningful change in the way data is released to the public would take a massive mind-set change on the part of officials and councillors,” said Dunkley.

He added that earlier this month a simple, easily answered query was 'kicked to touch' by an official hiding behind the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

“At a meeting that SOB had with the City Manager in his office together with some of his top officials we were forced to go the PAIA route to get information, even though the information was readily available in a file on the table at the meeting. These people seemed bemused at our anger and view that PAIA was introduced into our constitution to protect the public and not to make it even more difficult to get information from the municipality,” he said.

Dunkley said gaining the information took over two months in what he described as a violation of the act.

“SOB has participated in the survey but we are not holding our breath for a change of heart. We would remind the City of the words of the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, who said: Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions. When there is no sharing of power, no rule of law, no accountability, there is abuse, corruption, subjugation and indignation.”

The public is encouraged to take part in the survey. Visit www.durban.gov.za and click on the rotating Open Policy survey banner on the home page. The period for comments closes on 30 November.