The Promotion of Access to Information Act was promulgated in March 2001. The Act was put in place in order to actively promote a society in which the people of South Africa have effective access to information, which enables them to more fully exercise and protect their rights. The promulgation of the Act was also designed to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in Public and Private Bodies, as defined. This Manual has been prepared in accordance with Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, Act 2 of 2002.