The South Africa Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius, in collaboration with strategic partner ENS, hosted an insightful event today to discuss the complexities around data privacy laws in Mauritius and South Africa. Held at Suffren Hotel and Marina during a breakfast meeting, the event brought together key experts from ENS and various industry professionals.
The event featured ENS’s leading data privacy experts, Senior Associate Ayesha Rambajun, and Era Gunning, Executive; and Cybercrime expert Tsepo Moleko, Executive. The discussion focused on the complex landscape of data protection laws in both countries and their broad implications.
Era Gunning and Ayesha Rambajun led an informative conversation on the Mauritian Data Protection Act and the South African Protection of Personal Information Act. “An insider threat – due to malice or ignorance – is undoubtedly the weakest link in the security chain and can be significantly more costly than external incidents, such as cyberattacks. Yet companies spend a fortune on IT security and often ignore the need for data-protection training. Ongoing privacy awareness campaigns and making privacy a priority are pivotal to a successful data security campaign,” states Era Gunning.
Tsepo Moleko provided practical examples of how data breaches occur and offered a deep dive into the latest trends in data breaches, highlighting the immense value of data in today’s digital age. Tsepo says that “crime is evolving with technology and cybercriminals are finding smarter ways to access user and company information. Due to the seriousness and impact of data breaches, it is important for companies and individuals to know what they should do to protect themselves against data breaches, and which measures to take once a data breach has occurred.”
Nashenta Vuddamalay-Zindel, Director from ENS, remarked “We are delighted to bring together our Mauritian and South African colleagues on the island to deep dive the importance of data privacy and cybersecurity. As strategic partners of the SA Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius, we can highlight our depth and breadth of legal offerings in both SA and Mauritius.”
Warren Bacchus, Board Director of the South Africa Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius, added “Our partnership with ENS is pivotal in bringing valuable insights to our members and the broader business community. This discussion on privacy laws is of prime importance as we navigate the complexities of data protection in this rapidly changing environment.”
About South African Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius
The South African Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius serves as a pivotal entity to strengthen South African investments and business interests within Mauritius. It aims to advance mutual economic benefits for both nations through promoting trade, investment, and business exchanges.
The chamber stands out for its inclusivity, embracing diversity by welcoming members not only from South Africa and Mauritius but also globally, who are aligned with its mission. Key activities include organizing networking events, advocating on behalf of members with governments, and providing essential business insights and legislative updates. The chamber also actively promotes Mauritius as a strategic regional hub for investments into Africa, enhancing its attractiveness as a business destination.
With a strong backing from patrons and strategic partners including ENS, Sanlam, Investec and Stewards Investment Capital, the chamber facilitates valuable connections, supports business integration, and offers various benefits, including special discounts through its Affinity Partners.
About ENS
ENS has deep expertise and the capacity to deliver on their clients’ business requirements across all major industries, helping clients navigate regulatory hurdles, no matter where in Africa they do business. We have developed a solid understanding of local cultural, commercial and geopolitical contexts, and formed long-standing partnerships with the trusted firms with whom we work.
