Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry

PAIA MANUAL

in terms of Section 51 of

The Promotion of Access to Information Act 2/2000

(the "ACT")

Table of Contents

Introduction.. 2

Contact Details (Section 51 (1) (a)) 2

The ACT and Section 10 Guide (Section 51(1) (b)) 3

Schedule of Records (Section 51 (1) (d)) 4

Form of Request (Section 51 (1) (e)) 4

Prescribed Fees. 4

Additional Information.. 5

Introduction

The Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce, trading as the Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry, hereafter referred to as “The Chamber”, is a body established in 1804, incorporated by an Act of Parliament, The Cape Town Chamber Act of 1891.

The current Chamber is a product of a number of amalgamations. In 1994 the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Chamber of Industries merged to form the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and this entity merged in 2002 with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Boland, Stellenbosch, Helderberg, Tygerberg and Fish Hoek. The Cape Chamber is governed by a Constitution and the ultimate authority rests with the Board of Directors.

The Chamber is mandated to serve, enable and lead business in the region. It accomplishes that by lobbying on their behalf and supplying products and services of value. The Chamber is fiercely independent and apolitical, subscribing to its constitution.

Contact Details (Section 51 (1) (a))

As of the date of this draft, the Chamber was operating virtually, but now has premises, viz.

1 Canal Close, Century Falls Road, Century City, 7441

Postal address:

P O Box 204, Cape Town, South Africa, 8000

Telephone: 021 402 4300

Email: info@capechamber.co.za

Website: www.capechamber.co.za

The ACT and Section 10 Guide (Section 51(1) (b))

The ACT grants a requester access to records of a private body, if the record is required for the exercise or protection of any rights. If a public body lodges a request, the public body must be acting in the public interest.

Requests in terms of the ACT shall be made in accordance with the prescribed procedures, at the rates provided. The forms and tariff are dealt with in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Act.

Requesters are referred to the Guide in terms of Section 10 which has been compiled by the South African Human Rights Commission, which will contain information for the purposes of exercising Constitutional Rights. The Guide is available from the SAHRC.

The contact details of the Commission are:

Postal Address:                    Private Bag 2700, Houghton, 2041

Telephone Number:             +27 11 877 3600

Fax Number:                         +27 11 403 0625

Website:                                www.sahrc.org.za

Applicable Legislation (Section 51 (1) (c)):

Schedule of Records (Section 51 (1) (d))

• Public product and service information:   Freely available on website
• Minutes and reports for Boards, Committees, Sub-committees and forums: At the discretion of the Board, otherwise confidential.
• Media releases: available from the Media Coordinator.
• Financial and Tax records: In terms of PAIA
• Employee details and contracts: Not available
• Asset Register: From the Audit & Risk Sub-Committee
• Annual Financial Statements: As per the Annual Reports – freely available.
• Member Information: Held in terms of POPIA
• Strategic Plans: At the discretion of the Board.
• General database: Held in terms of POPIA

Form of Request (Section 51 (1) (e))

To facilitate the processing of your request, use the prescribed form, available on the website of the SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION at www.sahrc.org.za.

Address your request to the Head of the Company (CEO).

Provide sufficient details to enable the COMPANY to identify:

1. The record(s) requested;
2. The requester (and if an agent is lodging the request, proof of capacity);
3. The form of access required;
4. (i) The postal address, email or fax number of the requester in the Republic;
   (ii)  If the requester wishes to be informed of the decision in any manner (in addition to written) the manner and particulars thereof;
5. The right which the requester is seeking to exercise or protect with an explanation of the reason the record is required to exercise or protect the right.

Prescribed Fees

The following applies to requests (other than personal requests):

A requestor is required to pay the prescribed fees (R50.00) before a request will be processed;

If the preparation of the record requested requires more than the prescribed hours (six), a deposit shall be paid (of not more than one-third of the access fee which would be payable if the request were granted);

A requester may lodge an application with a court against the tender/payment of the request fee and/or deposit;

Records may be withheld until the fees have been paid.

The fee structure is available on the website of the SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION at www.sahrc.org.za.

Additional Information

Organogram

Benefits and Services

Lobbying and Representation

The Chamber monitors proposed policy and legislative changes that could impact business interests. Where necessary, the evidence is submitted to the appropriate Government Department, industry body or other authorities on behalf of our members.

Business Advice and HR Support

The Chamber is a source of information and advice on a host of issues, some of which include:

Export/Import; Human Resources; Incentives; Legislation; Tenders; and Transport matters.

Use of Chamber logo

As a member of the Chamber, you are entitled to use the ‘member’ logo in all your communication. Research¹ shows that when consumers know that a business is a member of a Chamber of Commerce, they are 44% more likely to think favourably of it.

Local Chapters

Meetings are held at various venues throughout the region. Members are given the opportunity to meet informally, listen to topical speakers, or express their concerns impacting business in their area.

Portfolio Committees

The Chamber has established Portfolio Committees that play a vital and active role in policy formulation, stakeholder engagement and information sharing. The committees cover the following sectors:

• Agribusiness
• Economic and Finance
• Healthcare
• Human Resources
• Industrial Focus
• Innovation and Digital
• International Trade and Tourism
• Small Business Development
• Transport and Transport Infrastructure

The Chamber charges a small fee to access some of the following services:

Seminars and Workshops

The Chamber hosts a variety of seminars and workshops that facilitates information-sharing and training for members.

Networking

The Chamber host both formal and informal networking functions, to give members the opportunity to connect with others, market their business and grow their network.

International Trade Desk

The Chamber has established an International Desk with 3 staff members to deal with international trade matters such as incoming delegations and trade missions. We also set up information seminars on how to conduct business with various countries and assist members with information/ advice on exports and imports.

Carnet de Commerce

The Chamber supplies a Carnet de Commerce, which is a letter of introduction in both English and French, and is an invaluable aid for members travelling abroad on business.

Certificates of Origin

The Chamber is an accredited issuing body for certificates of origin and other export documents which is required for certain exports from South Africa.

DATE OF THIS DRAFT: 01/06/2021