ESCCOM Awards Data Protection Registration Certificates to 19 More Organizations

By Phiwa Sikhondze

In a continued effort to enhance data protection across various sectors in Eswatini, the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), being the Eswatini Data Protection Authority (EDPA), has awarded Data Protection Registration Certificates to 19 more organizations.

The ceremony held at The Royal Villas earlier today marks the second batch of entities to receive certificates, adding to the first batch of 14 recipients that were awarded in April 2024, under the Data Protection Act, 2022.

The ESCCOM Chief Executive and EDPA Head, Mvilawemphi Dlamini, expressed gratitude to the data controllers and data processors for their cooperation.

He highlighted the positive response to the registration process, noting the importance of compliance not only as a legal requirement but also as a means to enhance public trust.

“Compliance with the Data Protection Act will boost your brand and gain trust from the public. The public, who are your data subjects, will have confidence that their personal data in your possession is safe from unauthorized access or disclosure,” Dlamini emphasized.

Dlamini also noted the diversity of the entities receiving certificates, which include sectors such as utilities, local municipalities, insurance, banking, telecommunications, fintech, recreational and entertainment, social security, health, and regulators.

The EDPA Chief further praised the commitment of these entities to processing personal and sensitive data responsibly, thereby complying with the Act. He also commended the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHERC) for leading by example and encouraged other institutions to register before the end of the registration period on September 30, 2024.

Dlamini highlighted the ease of the online registration process, which has seen a significant number of account activations and registrations. He called on entities that have not yet paid their registration fees to do so.

Dlamini assured the recipients of ongoing regulatory support from the EDPA, aimed at creating an enabling environment for compliance. He reiterated the Authority’s commitment to issuing regulatory frameworks, guidelines, and codes to facilitate this process.

Speaking on behalf of all the recipients, David Myeni, CEO of Sincemphetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), expressed gratitude to the EDPA for their support and guidance.

He acknowledged that while receiving the certificates marks the end of the first phase, it is just the beginning of a longer journey toward full compliance.

“We deeply appreciate the support we have received from the Authority. Many of us can attest to the presence and assistance of Authority officials who have visited our premises and provided us with crucial training. This hands-on support has been invaluable, demonstrating the Authority’s commitment to guiding us through this process,” Myeni said.

Myeni also highlighted the challenges ahead, noting that data protection is a relatively new concept for many organizations. However, he affirmed their commitment to reconfiguring systems and processes to ensure the safety and integrity of personal data.

“As we implement and consolidate measures to enhance data protection, we are aware that this effort is not just for our benefit, but also for the broader goal of safeguarding personal data. We are now better informed about the types of information that must not be disclosed to third parties and are more prepared to realign our public education efforts to integrate the implications of these new data protection standards,” Myeni said.

He reiterated the commitment of all recipients to comply with the Data Protection Act and expressed their readiness to collaborate with the EDPA to achieve their shared goals.

The awarded organizations are: