PROMOTION OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT (PAIA) MANUAL
Prepared in terms of Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 (as amended)
Last updated: October 2025
1. INTRODUCTION
This manual is prepared in accordance with Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 (PAIA), and includes provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA). It describes the structure, records, and procedures of Cookmate (Pty) Ltd (“Cookmate”) and explains how individuals can request access to information held by the company.
Cookmate (Pty) Ltd is a registered private company operating as the official distributor of Thermomix® kitchen appliances in South Africa. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and the lawful processing of personal information.
2. COMPANY DETAILS
Registered Name: Cookmate (Pty) Ltd
Registration Number: 2025/544978/07
Business Address: Office1, Bedford Village Shopping Centre, Corner Nicol and van Buuren Road, Bedfordview 2007
Website: www.thermomix.co.za – official Thermomix® South Africa website, managed and operated locally by Cookmate (Pty) Ltd, the authorised distributor of Thermomix® products in South Africa.
Email: customercare@cookmate.co.za
3. INFORMATION OFFICER
In accordance with POPIA and PAIA, Cookmate has appointed the following Information Officer:
Name: Monica Afonso
Position: Financial Director
Email: customercare@cookmate.co.za
Address: Office1, Bedford Village Shopping Centre, Corner Nicol and van Buuren Road, Bedfordview 2007
Deputy Information Officers may be designated as required to assist with information requests.
4. GUIDE ON HOW TO USE PAIA
A copy of the PAIA Guide (compiled by the Information Regulator) is available at:
Information Regulator (South Africa)
JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Tel: 010 023 5207
Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg
5. RECORDS AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF OTHER LEGISLATION
Cookmate (Pty) Ltd holds records in accordance with various South African laws, including but not limited to:
– Companies Act, 71 of 2008
– Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962
– Value-Added Tax Act, 89 of 1991
– Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997
– Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995
– Employment Equity Act, 55 of 1998
– Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013
– Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008
– Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 25 of 2002
6. SUBJECTS AND CATEGORIES OF RECORDS HELD BY COOKMATE (PTY) LTD
The following categories of records may be available upon request, subject to applicable legislation and confidentiality requirements:
6.1. Company Records
– Registration and incorporation documents
– Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)
– Shareholder and director registers
– Company policies and procedures
6.2. Financial Records
– Annual financial statements
– Tax and VAT records
– Invoices and receipts
– Banking details and statements
6.3. Human Resources
– Employee contracts
– Payroll records
– Disciplinary and training records
– Leave and attendance records
6.4. Operations and Sales
– Customer and supplier databases
– Product and service agreements
– Marketing and promotional material
– Demo and cooking class schedules
6.5. Legal and Compliance
– Licences and permits
– Insurance policies
– POPIA and PAIA compliance records
– Contracts and NDAs
6.6. Information Automatically Available
– Website information (company overview, contact details, product descriptions)
– Public social media content
7. REQUEST PROCEDURE FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION
To request access to any record, an individual must:
1. Complete the prescribed Form C (available on the Information Regulator’s website).
2. Submit the completed form to the Information Officer at customercare@cookmate.co.za.
3. Pay the prescribed request fee (if applicable).
4. Provide sufficient details to enable the Information Officer to identify the record(s) requested.
The requester will be notified within 30 days whether access has been granted or refused.
8. GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF ACCESS
Cookmate may refuse access to records under the following circumstances:
– Protection of personal information of third parties
– Protection of confidential commercial information
– Protection of company safety or security
– Legal privilege or pending litigation
– Requests that are frivolous, vexatious, or unreasonable
9. FEES PAYABLE
Access to information is subject to the payment of the prescribed fees as determined by the Minister of Justice. The current fee structure is available from the Information Regulator’s website.
10. AVAILABILITY OF THE MANUAL
This PAIA Manual is available for inspection:
-On the Thermomix® South Africa website: www.thermomix.co.za, which is managed and operated locally by Cookmate (Pty) Ltd, the official distributor of Thermomix® products in South Africa.
-At CookMate’s registered office during business hours.
-On request via email to customercare@cookmate.co.za.
11. UPDATES TO THIS MANUAL
Cookmate (Pty) Ltd reserves the right to amend this manual from time to time to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and business practices. The latest version will always be available on our website.
12. CONTACT DETAILS OF THE INFORMATION REGULATOR
Information Regulator (South Africa)
JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Tel: 010 023 5207
Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg
This PAIA Manual is published in compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000, and the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013.
