WISSAI PRIVACY POLICY

Women in Sports South Africa Initiative NPC (WISSAI)

POPIA-Aligned Privacy & Information Protection Framework

Effective Date: 2026/05/06
Website: https://wissai.org.za
Organisation: Women in Sports South Africa Initiative NPC (WISSAI)

1. INTRODUCTION

Women in Sports South Africa Initiative NPC (“WISSAI”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and personal information of every individual who engages with our organisation.

As an advocacy-driven non-profit company operating within the sporting, governance, media, and stakeholder engagement sectors, WISSAI recognises the importance of responsible information management and lawful processing of personal information.

This Privacy Policy is designed with reference to the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) and applicable South African laws governing privacy, confidentiality, electronic communication, and organisational record-keeping.

By using this website, submitting information to WISSAI, engaging with our programmes, applying for membership, attending events, communicating with representatives, or interacting with any WISSAI digital platform, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. OUR COMMITMENT TO PRIVACY

WISSAI is committed to:

  • Processing personal information lawfully and transparently

  • Protecting confidential information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, or disclosure

  • Collecting only information reasonably required for organisational purposes

  • Respecting the dignity and privacy of all stakeholders

  • Maintaining responsible governance and ethical data practices

  • Ensuring that personal information is used only for legitimate organisational purposes

WISSAI will never knowingly sell personal information to third parties.

3. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Policy:

“Personal Information”

Means information relating to an identifiable, living natural person or juristic person, including but not limited to:

  • Full names

  • Identity or passport numbers

  • Contact details

  • Email addresses

  • Telephone numbers

  • Physical addresses

  • Sporting affiliations

  • Employment or professional information

  • Images, recordings, and media submissions

  • Online identifiers

  • Membership information

  • Financial information submitted voluntarily

“Processing”

Means any operation involving personal information including collection, receipt, storage, use, dissemination, modification, deletion, or destruction.

“Data Subject”

Means the individual to whom personal information relates.

4. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

WISSAI may collect and process the following categories of information:

4.1 Information You Voluntarily Provide

This includes information submitted through:

  • Membership applications

  • Contact forms

  • Sponsorship or partnership enquiries

  • Event registrations

  • Media requests

  • Advocacy campaigns

  • Volunteer submissions

  • Surveys and stakeholder engagement

  • Email correspondence

  • Social media engagement

4.2 Technical Information

When you access our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

  • IP addresses

  • Browser type

  • Device information

  • Operating system

  • Referral URLs

  • Usage analytics

  • Cookies and session information

4.3 Sensitive Information

In limited circumstances and only where necessary, WISSAI may process information relating to:

  • Gender

  • Sporting participation

  • Advocacy matters

  • Discrimination complaints

  • Welfare or safeguarding matters

Such information will be handled with heightened confidentiality and appropriate safeguards.

5. PURPOSE OF COLLECTION

WISSAI collects personal information for lawful and legitimate purposes including:

  • Processing membership applications

  • Responding to enquiries and communication

  • Facilitating advocacy programmes and campaigns

  • Managing partnerships and sponsorships

  • Organising events and initiatives

  • Maintaining organisational records

  • Conducting stakeholder engagement

  • Issuing newsletters and organisational updates

  • Supporting governance and operational administration

  • Complying with legal and regulatory obligations

  • Protecting organisational integrity and security

Personal information will not be processed for purposes unrelated to the reason for which it was collected unless consent or lawful authority exists.

6. LAWFUL BASIS FOR PROCESSING

WISSAI processes personal information on one or more of the following lawful bases:

  • Consent of the data subject

  • Performance of organisational obligations

  • Compliance with legal obligations

  • Legitimate organisational interests

Where consent is required, such consent may be withdrawn subject to applicable legal and operational limitations.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND COMMUNICATIONS

All communications originating from WISSAI are intended solely for authorised recipients.

Unless expressly stated otherwise:

  • Communications may contain confidential or privileged information

  • Unauthorised disclosure, copying, dissemination, or distribution is prohibited

  • Information shared with WISSAI may be treated as confidential where reasonably appropriate

WISSAI reserves the right to monitor and preserve communications where necessary for governance, legal, compliance, or security purposes.

8. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

Membership applicants may be required to submit personal information necessary to evaluate eligibility, participation, governance suitability, and organisational engagement.

WISSAI may:

  • Verify submitted information

  • Maintain membership records

  • Conduct internal administrative assessments

  • Contact applicants regarding membership matters

  • Request supporting documentation where necessary

Submission of a membership application does not guarantee approval.

9. EMAIL VERIFICATION AND SECURITY CONTROLS

To protect the integrity of our systems and reduce spam, fraudulent submissions, impersonation, and automated abuse, WISSAI may implement:

  • Email verification procedures

  • One-Time Password (OTP) authentication

  • Submission validation protocols

  • Anti-spam technologies

  • Security monitoring systems

Failure to complete required verification procedures may prevent submission or processing.

10. SHARING OF INFORMATION

WISSAI may share personal information only where necessary and lawful, including with:

  • Service providers supporting organisational operations

  • Legal or regulatory authorities where required by law

  • Event or programme partners where participation requires disclosure

  • Professional advisors acting under confidentiality obligations

  • Financial institutions for authorised payment processing

All reasonable efforts will be made to ensure that third parties handling personal information maintain appropriate confidentiality and security standards.

11. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Where digital systems or service providers are located outside South Africa, personal information may be transferred internationally.

WISSAI will take reasonable steps to ensure that any international transfer occurs in accordance with applicable data protection principles and safeguards.

12. DATA RETENTION

Personal information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

  • Fulfil organisational purposes

  • Maintain legitimate records

  • Comply with legal obligations

  • Resolve disputes

  • Protect organisational interests

Information no longer required may be securely deleted, anonymised, or destroyed.

13. SECURITY MEASURES

WISSAI implements reasonable technical and organisational safeguards designed to protect information against:

  • Unauthorised access

  • Loss or theft

  • Destruction

  • Misuse

  • Disclosure

  • Cybersecurity threats

  • Alteration or corruption

These measures may include:

  • Access controls

  • Secure hosting environments

  • Password protection

  • Verification systems

  • Encrypted communications where appropriate

  • Administrative governance controls

No electronic system can be guaranteed completely secure, and users acknowledge inherent risks associated with digital communication.

14. COOKIES AND WEBSITE ANALYTICS

WISSAI may use cookies and analytics technologies to:

  • Improve website functionality

  • Understand user engagement

  • Enhance website performance

  • Monitor website security

  • Support organisational communication

Users may disable cookies through browser settings, although portions of the website may not function optimally.

15. DATA SUBJECT RIGHTS

Subject to applicable law, individuals may have the right to:

  • Request access to personal information held by WISSAI

  • Request correction or updating of inaccurate information

  • Object to certain processing activities where permitted by law

  • Request deletion where lawful and appropriate

  • Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

  • Lodge complaints regarding data handling

Requests may be submitted to WISSAI at .

If a person believes that their personal information has been processed unlawfully, they may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator South Africa using the official channels published by the Regulator, including .

16. CHILDREN AND MINORS

WISSAI does not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent, parental or guardian involvement where required, or another lawful basis.

Where participation by minors is involved, appropriate consent and safeguarding procedures may be required.

17. MEDIA, EVENTS, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

WISSAI activities, campaigns, and events may involve photography, video recording, interviews, livestreaming, or media publication.

By participating in public WISSAI activities, individuals acknowledge that:

  • Media content may be captured

  • Content may be used for advocacy, communication, educational, promotional, archival, or reporting purposes

  • Public event participation may result in lawful incidental inclusion in photographs or recordings

Requests relating to specific media concerns may be submitted to WISSAI.

18. EXTERNAL LINKS

This website may contain links to third-party websites or services.

WISSAI is not responsible for:

  • Third-party privacy practices

  • External content

  • External security standards

  • Independent data processing activities

Users are encouraged to review third-party policies independently.

19. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

While WISSAI takes reasonable steps to protect information and maintain website integrity, users acknowledge that:

  • Electronic communication carries inherent risk

  • Website availability cannot be guaranteed at all times

  • Unauthorised third-party actions may occur beyond reasonable control

To the fullest extent permitted by law, WISSAI disclaims liability arising from unauthorised access, system interruptions, malware, or external cyber incidents.

20. POLICY UPDATES

WISSAI reserves the right to update, amend, or revise this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Updated versions will be published on the website with revised effective dates.

Continued use of WISSAI platforms following updates constitutes acceptance of revised terms.

21. CONTACT INFORMATION

All privacy-related enquiries, objections, correction requests, access requests, or POPIA-related concerns may be directed to:

Women in Sports South Africa Initiative NPC (WISSAI)

118 Pritchard Street
Splendid Place
Johannesburg, 2001
South Africa

Privacy / POPIA Email:
General Email:
Website: https://wissai.org.za

22. TERMS OF USE REFERENCE

Use of this website is additionally governed by the WISSAI Terms of Use.

Users are encouraged to review the Terms of Use together with this Privacy Policy, as both documents collectively govern access to and use of WISSAI digital platforms, services, communication systems, submissions, and organisational content.

23. ACCEPTANCE

By using this website, submitting forms, communicating with WISSAI, participating in programmes, or otherwise engaging with the organisation, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted this Privacy Policy.

WISSAI TERMS OF USE

Website Terms, Conditions & Acceptable Use

Effective Date: [Insert Date]

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing or using the WISSAI website, services, forms, communication systems, campaigns, or digital platforms, users agree to comply with these Terms of Use.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you should discontinue use of the website and related services.

2. PURPOSE OF THE WEBSITE

The WISSAI website exists to:

  • Advance advocacy relating to women in sport

  • Facilitate communication and stakeholder engagement

  • Support membership applications and participation

  • Promote campaigns, partnerships, and events

  • Share organisational information and media

The website may not be used for unlawful, abusive, fraudulent, harmful, defamatory, or disruptive purposes.

3. USER CONDUCT

Users agree not to:

  • Submit false or misleading information

  • Attempt unauthorised access to systems or accounts

  • Interfere with website functionality or security

  • Upload malicious software or harmful content

  • Harass, threaten, abuse, or discriminate against others

  • Misrepresent affiliations or identity

  • Use WISSAI platforms for spam or unauthorised marketing

WISSAI reserves the right to restrict access or remove content where misuse is identified.

4. MEMBERSHIP AND APPLICATIONS

Submission of any form or application does not guarantee acceptance, approval, sponsorship, partnership, or participation.

WISSAI reserves the right to review, decline, suspend, or terminate applications or memberships in accordance with organisational governance processes.

5. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Unless otherwise stated, all website content including:

  • Logos

  • Branding

  • Graphics

  • Photography

  • Text

  • Videos

  • Advocacy materials

  • Publications

  • Website design elements

remain the property of WISSAI or its licensors and may not be reproduced without permission.

6. EXTERNAL CONTENT AND LINKS

WISSAI may provide links to third-party websites for convenience or informational purposes.

WISSAI does not endorse or assume responsibility for third-party content, services, or practices.

7. DISCLAIMER

Website content is provided for general informational and organisational purposes.

While reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, WISSAI makes no guarantees regarding:

  • Completeness

  • Accuracy

  • Availability

  • Reliability

  • Timeliness

Use of the website is at the user’s own risk.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the fullest extent permitted by law, WISSAI shall not be liable for:

  • Direct or indirect damages

  • Loss of data

  • Service interruption

  • Website downtime

  • Cybersecurity incidents

  • Reliance on website content

  • Unauthorised third-party conduct

9. PRIVACY

Use of the website is additionally governed by the WISSAI Privacy Policy.

Users are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy carefully.

10. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms of Use shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

11. CONTACT

Women in Sports South Africa Initiative NPC (WISSAI)
118 Pritchard Street
Splendid Place
Johannesburg, 2001
South Africa

Email:

12. FINAL PROVISIONS

WISSAI reserves the right to amend these Terms of Use at any time without prior notice.

Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of any amended terms.