Manual in terms of section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 (“PAIA”), incorporating the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”)
Digital Ascend (Pty) Ltd · Registration number [YYYY/NNNNNN/07] · Date of compilation: [DATE] · Last revision: [DATE]
1. Introduction
Digital Ascend (Pty) Ltd (“DigitalAscend”) is a private company incorporated in South Africa providing artificial intelligence and digital transformation consulting services. This manual is published in terms of section 51 of PAIA and facilitates requests for access to records held by DigitalAscend, and sets out how personal information is processed as contemplated in Regulation 4(1)(d) of the POPIA Regulations.
2. Contact details
Head of the private body: Prof. Bhekisipho Twala, Chief Executive Officer. Information Officer: [NAME]. Postal address: [POSTAL ADDRESS]. Physical address: [PHYSICAL ADDRESS]. Telephone: [NUMBER]. Email: info@digitalascend.tech. Website: https://digitalascend.tech
3. The section 10 Guide
The Information Regulator has published a Guide on how to use PAIA in each official language, available from the Information Regulator (South Africa): JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001; inforeg@inforegulator.org.za; www.inforegulator.org.za.
4. Records available in terms of other legislation
Records are kept in accordance with legislation applicable to DigitalAscend, including the Companies Act 71 of 2008; Income Tax Act 58 of 1962; Value-Added Tax Act 89 of 1991; Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997; Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995; Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993; Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001; Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002; and POPIA.
5. Records held by DigitalAscend
Subject to the grounds of refusal in Chapter 4 of Part 3 of PAIA, the following categories of records are held: company records (incorporation documents, statutory registers, minutes, B-BBEE documentation, insurance); financial records (financial statements, accounting and banking records, invoices, tax records); human resources records; client and engagement records (proposals, contracts, project documentation, correspondence); supplier and operational records; intellectual property and technical records (methodologies, software, source code — largely proprietary and likely to be refused under section 68 of PAIA); and marketing and website records. Records automatically available without a PAIA request: content published at https://digitalascend.tech, this manual, and the Privacy Policy.
6. Processing of personal information (POPIA)
Purpose: service delivery, responding to enquiries, contract administration, human resources administration, supplier management, marketing (with consent), legal compliance. Categories of data subjects: clients and prospective clients; employees and contractors; suppliers; website visitors. Recipients: operators under written agreements, professional advisers, and regulators where legally required. Trans-border flows: cloud hosting and email services may store data outside South Africa, subject to section 72 safeguards. Security measures: encryption in transit, access control, multi-factor authentication, backups, and operator agreements imposing confidentiality and security obligations.
7. How to request access to a record
Complete Form 2 (Request for Access to Record) prescribed under the PAIA Regulations, available from the Information Regulator’s website or from our Information Officer. Submit the completed form to the Information Officer with the prescribed request fee and proof of identity, providing sufficient particulars to identify the record and the right you seek to exercise or protect. The Information Officer will respond within 30 days of a compliant request, as required by section 56 of PAIA, either granting access, refusing with reasons, or notifying an extension where section 57 permits. If a request is refused, the requester may apply to a court or lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator using Form 5 within 180 days.
8. Fees
Fees are as prescribed in Annexure B of the PAIA Regulations, comprising a request fee, reproduction fees, and where applicable a deposit. Personal requesters are exempt from the request fee. Current prescribed fees are available from the Information Regulator and will be confirmed on receipt of a request.
9. Availability of this manual
This manual is available on this website, at our registered office for inspection during business hours, and from the Information Officer on request, free of charge.