The SDI Act

The Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003 was passed by Parliament in December 2003. The President assented to the act in January 2004. The aim of the Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003 (Act No.54 of 2003) is to provide for the establishment of the South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI) in order to regulate the collection, management, maintenance, integration, distribution and use of spatial/geographic information. The Act will promote the efficient and effective use of the State's spatial/geographic information resources by the sharing of the information. It will give effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by the State, as well as information held by other persons, if the information is required for the exercise or protection of rights.

To achieve the said objectives, the Act establishes the Committee for Spatial Information whose function is to advise the Minister, the Director-General or an organ of state dealing with spatial information on any matter regarding the capture, management, maintenance, integration, distribution and use of spatial information. In appointing members to the Committee, the Minister will have due regard to the Committee for Spatial Information principles contained in section 5 of the SDI Act, the diversity of interests and the need to ensure and promote gender, disability and other demographic representation. Committee members will hold office for a period of three years from the date of appointment, as may be published in the Government Gazette. Section 4(3) of the Act gives the Minister powers to call for nominations of persons to serve as members of the Committee. Each organisation must nominate a primary member and an alternate member to ensure continued participation in the activities of the CSI. Officials appointed to serve on the committee will serve for a three-year term. Members will be required to set a strategic direction for the development and implementation of SASDI and to address matters to spatial information to ensure that the maximum benefit is derived from investments in spatial information.

Click on one of the links below for downloads:
No. 54 of 2003: Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, 2003.
Understanding the Spatial Data Infrastructure Act 54 of 2003.

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