By Mbono Mdluli
EZULWINI – Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Savannah Maziya, has called for increased educational campaigns on data privacy to raise national awareness about its importance.
Speaking at the commemoration of Data Protection Day on January 28, 2025, held at Happy Valley Hotel in Ezulwini, the minister emphasized the significance of understanding and respecting personal data under the theme, “Whose data is it, anyway?”
“The education will be important because it will enable Emaswati to understand the importance of respecting somebody else’s data,” said Maziya.
Progress in Data Protection
While advocating for further education, the minister praised the efforts of the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) in raising awareness about data protection since the enactment of the Data Protection Act in 2022. Maziya highlighted that the law had laid the foundation for a digital era built on trust, accountability, and safeguarding personal information.
“Before the act, the country had never paused to honor a day like this one. Yet here we are, joining the global community to celebrate the importance of data protection. We do so not as mere participants but as active architects of a future where data privacy is a fundamental right,” said Maziya.
Landmark Achievements
The minister noted that January 2023 marked a monumental step forward for Eswatini when the Ministry of ICT officially launched ESCCOM as the Data Protection Authority (EDPA). This move established Eswatini as only the third country in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, after Angola and South Africa, to establish such a regulatory body.
The EDPA has a broad mandate to oversee how personal data is processed, stored, and transferred across borders. According to Maziya, this represents a significant leap toward the country’s vision of attaining first-world status.
“The EDPA’s expanded responsibilities transcend its traditional role as a sector-specific regulator. Now, it administers a baseline legislation that impacts every corner of our economy and society—a testament to our commitment to data protection,” she added.
Significant Achievements by the EDPA
In just two years, the EDPA has achieved remarkable milestones, including:
- Raising public awareness and building capacity for data protection.
- Developing guidelines and investigating data breaches.
- Registering data controllers and processors to ensure compliance and accountability.
- Collaborating with stakeholders to draft subsidiary regulations for the Act, promoting inclusivity and transparency.
International Collaboration
Maziya further highlighted Eswatini’s active participation on the global stage, stating that through the EDPA, the country joined the network of African Data Protection Authorities in May 2022. Eswatini is also actively engaged in African Union (AU) initiatives stemming from the Malabo Convention, which it is in the process of ratifying.
“Together with the EDPA, the Ministry of ICT will continue engaging in African Union activities, ensuring Eswatini remains at the forefront of data protection efforts,” concluded Maziya.
