Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA): a public opinion survey on awareness about the right of access to information

After 1994, the majority of South Africans had huge expectations of radical societal change. When the Constitution was passed in 1996, those expectations soared even higher. South Africa's Constitution was rightly hailed as one of the most progressive in the world. The inclusion, in the 'Bill of Rights', of both socio-economic and developmental human rights (in addition to political and civil rights) was seen, by most, as a precursor to fundamental changes in the way in which public institutions would be managed, as well as in the character and content of democratic representation and participation. However, such changes are not easy / are difficult to effect, as they are often accompanied by gaps between expectations and practical change realities. Such challenges are, however, common / expected with transitions from authoritarian regimes (e.g., dictatorship) to democracies. The transition to a democratic South Africa resulted in a transformed country which boasts a unique human rights and constitutional framework. Enshrined in Section 32 of the Constitution is the right of access to information, which extends to both public and private bodies. Section 32(1) of the Constitution enshrines this right and provides that 'everyone has the right of access to any information held by the state; and any information that is held by another person and that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights".