Effective Date: October 2024

Introduction

Design Afrique (“we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance the functionality of our website and improve user experience. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, and how you can control them.

This policy complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in South Africa and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the UK and Europe. By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies as outlined in this policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

When you visit certain websites, cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile). Cookies help websites remember your actions and preferences (such as login, language, font size, and other display preferences) over time so that you don’t have to keep re-entering them whenever you return to the site or browse from one page to another.

2. Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following categories of cookies on our website:

• Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the proper functioning of our website and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set in response to your actions, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling out forms.
• Performance Cookies: These cookies collect information about how visitors use a website, such as which pages are visited most often and whether users receive error messages. They help us understand how users interact with the site and improve its performance.
• Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your username, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, personalised features.

3. Legal Basis for Using Cookies (GDPR & POPIA)

• Under the GDPR (UK/EU), we use cookies based on your consent for all non-essential cookies (e.g., performance, functionality, and targeting cookies). Essential cookies are used based on our legitimate interest in ensuring the functionality of our website.
• Under POPIA (South Africa), we process personal information collected through cookies based on your consent for non-essential cookies and legitimate interest in essential cookies.

4. Third-Party Cookies

In addition to our cookies, we may also use third-party cookies provided by service providers to collect information for analytics, advertising, or social media purposes. The respective privacy policies of the third parties govern these third-party cookies.

5. Cookie Consent and Control

When you first visit our website, we will request your consent to use non-essential cookies. You can manage or withdraw your consent at any time by:

• Cookie Settings Tool: You can access our cookie management tool to modify or withdraw your consent for non-essential cookies.
• Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through your settings. You can set your browser to block or alert you about cookies or delete already set cookies. Please note that blocking cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

6. Managing Cookies

Here’s how you can manage or delete cookies through your browser:

• Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647
• Mozilla Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cookies-information-websites-store-on-your-computer
• Microsoft Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4468242/microsoft-edge-browsing-data-and-privacy
• Apple Safari: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201265

7. Duration of Cookies

Cookies can be session cookies (which are temporary and expire when you close your browser) or persistent cookies(which remain on your device until they expire or you delete them). We use both types depending on the function.

• Session Cookies: These cookies are deleted once you close your browser and are used for temporary tracking (e.g., remembering items in your shopping cart).
• Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a set period (as defined in the cookie) and are used to remember your preferences or for tracking.

8. Data Collected by Cookies

Depending on the type of cookie used, we may collect the following information:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Time and date of your visit
• Pages viewed and actions taken on the website
• Referring website URL

9. Changes to Our Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or our cookie practices. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Effective Date.” We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

10. Contact Information

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this policy, you can contact us at:

• Email: bettina@designafrique.co.za

• Postal Address: 41a Porter St, Rawsonville, 6845