​​​​​Stakeholders

​SASDI Stakeholders

Any reference to the term "stakeholder" on this website applies to SASDI stakeholders.

"SASDI stakeholder" may refer to any person, group or organization that

(a)     is subject to the SDI Act (No. 54, 2003);

(b)    is involved in activities related to spatial data/information;

(c)     or has a legitimate interest in, or concern with -

  • ​​​​the Committee for Spatial Information(CSI); and/or

  • the South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI). 

SASDI Stakeholders include:

  1. Data Custodians: Base data set custodians; other data custodians. [See also About Custodians​]​​

  2. Non-custodians: Any stakeholder not identified as a data custodian, for a specific data set.

  3. Organs of state: National/provincial/municipal departments; constitutional institutions; public or state-owned entities; government business enterprises. Also referred to as public bodies.

  4. Data Vendors: Spatial data distributors, agents or service providers from the private sector, when performing a public function on behalf of a data custodian or organ of state.

  5. Users: Members of the public; spatial data users; members of the geospatial community.

Data Custodian

The Committee is responsible for identifying and requesting organs of state, based on their mandated responsibilities, to serve as data custodians for spatial data sets. An organ of state identified as custodian for a specific data set is regarded as the authoritative source for that data set. The identification and appointment of custodians for base data sets will be prioritised, followed by other data sets.

For more information about base data set custodians and data custodians refer to About Custodians​​.

Data custodians, by justification of their mandate, do not need the CSI's approval to capture spatial data that falls under their custodianship, but they must notify the CSI of their intention to capture such spatial data. This requirement was implemented to enable the CSI to record and provide access to preliminary metadata for data sets intended for capture, as well as to monitor progress of data capture projects and compliance to SASDI objectives.

For more information on the registration of data capture projects refer to DCPR Home​.

Non-Custodian

For the purpose of implementing SASDI, any stakeholder not identified by the CSI, as a base data set custodian for identified base data sets, or as data custodian for any other spatial data sets, is regarded as a non-custodian.  Furthermore, any data custodian that wishes to capture any spatial data set that does not fall under their custodianship is regarded as a non-custodian for such data set.

It is compulsory for non-custodians, who wish to capture spatial data, to request approval from the CSI to capture such spatial data.

​This requirement was implemented to enable the CSI to determine justification for, and where applicable approve, the intended data capture by non-custodians. This will also enable the CSI to give applicants guidance in terms of SASDI objectives, to record and monitor progress of applications and/or appeals, to provide access to preliminary metadata for data sets intended for capture, as well as to monitor progress of approved data capture projects. 

Organs of state

In terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, section 239, "organ of state" means –

(a)    any department of state or administration in the national, provincial or local sphere of government; or

(b)     any other functionary or institution –

  • exercising a power or performing a function in terms of the Constitution or a provincial constitution; or

  • exercising a public power or performing a public function in terms of any legislation, but does not include a court or a judicial officer; 

The Committee for Spatial Information (CSI), also referred to as the Committee, is established in terms of section 5 of the SDI Act. The Committee serves to carry out responsibilities defined in the Act and to achieve the objectives of the SASDI. The Committee comprises members appointed by the Minister, including members from various organs of state.  [See also CSI_Home​]

The Minister of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is responsible for the SDI Act. The Director-General (DG) administers this Act and the South African Spatial Data Infrastructure (SASDI).

For more information on the powers of the Minister, delegation of powers, the Committee or related matters refer to the document: SDI Act, No 54. 2003

​Roles and Responsibilities of Organs of State

Notes:

  1. Any reference to data custodians also applies to base data set custodians.
  2. Any reference to data sets also applies to base data sets

Application of the SDI Act

  • The SDI Act applies to organs of state which hold spatial information and to users of spatial information. SDI Act, section 2.

Standards and Prescriptions

  • Organs of state must adhere to standards and prescriptions relating to spatial information, as determined by the Minister. SDI Act, sections 4.(1) and 11.(1). Draft SDI Regulations, section 2.

Data Custodianship

  • An organ of state appointed as a data custodian is regarded as the authoritative source for the data sets under its custodianship. Data custodians are identified by the Committee for Spatial Information (CSI) in terms of the criteria for data custodians. Roles and responsibilities of custodians apply to organs of state appointed as custodians. Section 6.1.1. Organisational mandate; CSI list of identified base data sets. [See also Roles and Responsibilities of Base Data Set Custodians​]

Non-custodians

  • Organs of state, as users of spatial data, may submit their spatial data requirements to the CSI, by completing Form F: Submission of spatial data requirements. This applies where their spatial data requirements are not catered for in any available data sets, or where an existing data set does not fully cater for their needs. [See also DCPR Home​]
  • An organ of state that wishes to capture spatial data, of which they are not the custodian, must request the Committee for approval to capture such data, by completing Form E1: Request approval from Committee for Spatial Information to capture spatial data. This must be done prior to engaging in any exercise or project to capture such data set. SDI Regulations, section 5(2). CSI approval.  

Cooperation and coordination

  • Organs of state that have been granted permission by the Committee to capture data sets/spatial information must capture such data sets/information in consultation with the designated data custodian. Section 6.1.2(d). Collaborative Agreements
  • Organs of state should cooperate and coordinate with data custodians and other organs of state to promote the use and sharing of spatial data/information in support of spatial planning, socio-economic development and related activities. Section 6.1.2(a). SDI Act, section 3(2)(c) Collaborative Agreements

Copyright

  • Organs of state using spatial data may not infringe on the copyright of such data. They are also held responsible for the infringement of copyright by any person or organisation using such data on their behalf. Where copyright resides in any data set, such copyright must be protected in terms of the Copyright Act, 1978 (Act No. 98 of 1978). SDI Act, Section 3(2)(g) and 18(b).

Data Vendors

The SDI Act defines a data vendor as "a person who supplies spatial information on behalf of a data custodian". SDI Act, section 3(2)(c).

In SASDI policies and prescripts any roles and responsibilities of data vendors also applies to data distributors or the private sector providing a service to an organ of state. Service provision in this context generally refers to third party or outsourced goods or services relating to spatial data/information.

Roles and Responsibilities of Data Vendors

Standards and Prescriptions​

  • Data vendors must adhere to standards and prescriptions relating to spatial information, as determined by the Minister. SDI Act, sections 4.(1) and 11.(1)&(3). Draft SDI Regulations, section 2.

Non-custodians

  • Organs of state, as users of spatial data, may submit their spatial data CAPTURE requirements to the CSI, by completing Form F: Submission of spatial data capture needs.


    Note: This only applies where their spatial data needs are not catered for in any available data sets, or where an existing data set does not fully cater for their needs. The completion of this form merely serves as a notification to identify additional needs that could be considered when updating existing data sets, or to identify demand for new data sets that could be considered for future data capture projects by responsible custodians. It therefore does not guarantee that such requests will immediately be dealt with.                          [See also DCPR Home]

Service provision and accountability for spatial information

  • **A data vendor may be appointed by a data custodian or organ of state, in the prescribed manner, to capture and/or maintain specified spatial information or data sets on their behalf through public funding.

  • **Any data/information captured or maintained through public funding by data vendors, on behalf of any custodian/ organ of state, must be returned to that custodian/ organ of state at no cost. The vendor may charge for any services provided, but not for data/information captured or maintained.

  • **A data custodian is accountable for the integrity of any data captured or maintained by data vendors on their behalf.

  • A data vendor may be appointed by a data custodian, in the prescribed manner, to supply products derived from their data set(s).  SDI Act, section 14(1). Vendor Agreement

  • A data custodian is accountable for the integrity of unmodified spatial information which is supplied by the data vendor. SDI Act, section 14(2).

  • Data vendors supplying spatial information must provide the information in the prescribed manner together with the relevant metadata. SDI Act, section 14(3).

  • **The appointment of a data vendor must be formalised through a Service Level Agreement, which must provide for:

(a) the duration of the agreement;

(b) a stipulation of the services required;

(c) the terms and conditions of service delivery;

(d) specifications for required outputs

(e) the legal protection of copyright of the State and any other interested party; and

(f) any other provision that the parties may consider necessary and as may be prescribed.

  • ​A data custodian, or a data vendor, and a user may enter into a licensing agreement with regard to the use of spatial information. A licensing agreement must provide for:
​​(a) the duration of the agreement;

(b) the legal protection of copyright of the State and any other interested party; and

(c) any other provision that the parties may consider necessary and as may be prescribed.       SDI   Act, section 15(2).

Reporting on Data Quality

  • A vendor must report any deficiency in the quality of spatial information to the data custodian or data vendor who supplied the information, within 90 days after discovering that deficiency. Where possible, the vendor must supply specific and sufficient information in the report to enable the custodian or data vendor who supplied the information to identify the erroneous record/feature concerned and must, if possible, indicate what the record should contain, or how the record/feature should be rectified. If the data custodian or data vendor does not respond within the prescribed time the vendor may refer the matter to the Committee who may take any remedial action considered necessary or expedient. Section 6.1.2(b). Draft SDI Regulations, section 8.  SDI Act, Section 17(1), (2) and (4). Error Report & Register; Documented response

Copyright

Data vendors may not infringe on the copyright of data. Where copyright resides in any data set, such copyright must be protected in terms of the Copyright Act, 1978 (Act No. 98 of 1978). SDI Act, Section 3(2)(g).

Data Users

The SDI Act defines a user as "any person who has obtained access to spatial information in order to use such information". SDI Act, section 3(2)(c).

Roles and responsibilities of "users" also apply to data custodians, organs of state and data vendors when they obtain access to spatial information, other than that for which they are responsible, to use such information. These users are also categorised as non-custodians.

It is compulsory for non-custodians, who wish to capture spatial data, to request approval from the CSI to capture such spatial data. [See also Non- Custodians]

Roles and Responsibilities of Users

Application of the SDI Act

  • The SDI Act applies to organs of state which hold spatial information and to users of spatial information. SDI Act, section 2.

Non-custodians

  • Users of spatial data, may submit their spatial data capture needs to the CSI, by completing Form F: Submission of spatial data capture needs. This applies where their spatial data requirements are not catered for in any available data sets, or where an existing data set does not fully cater for their needs.

Agreements on utilisation of spatial information

  • A data custodian or data vendor and a user may enter into a licensing agreement with regard to the use of spatial information. A licensing agreement must provide for:

(a) the duration of the agreement;

(b) the legal protection of copyright of the State and any other interested party; and

(c) any other provision that the parties may consider necessary and as may be prescribed.  SDI   Act, section 15(2).

 

Reporting on Data Quality

  • A user must report any deficiency in the quality of spatial information to the data custodian or data vendor who supplied the information, within 90 days after discovering that deficiency. Where possible, the user must supply specific and sufficient information in the report to enable the custodian or data vendor who supplied the information to identify the erroneous record/feature concerned and must, if possible, indicate what the record should contain, or how the record/feature should be rectified. If the data custodian or data vendor does not respond within the prescribed time the user may refer the matter to the Committee who may take any remedial action considered necessary or expedient. Section 6.1.2(b). Draft SDI Regulations, section 8.  SDI Act, Section 17(1), (2) and (4). Error Report & Register; Documented response

Copyright

  • A user may not infringe on the copyright of data. Where copyright resides in any data set, such copyright must be protected in terms of the Copyright Act, 1978 (Act No. 98 of 1978). SDI Act, Section 3(2)(g).