Legal Info Summary
1. Terms of Use (Website’s terms & conditions)
The master agreement between The Helpers, the listed organisations, and the general public using the site.
Covers:
- Who can use and register on the site
- Rules for registration, content, and behaviour
- The Helpers’ role (a directory, not a donation intermediary)
- Intellectual property rights (logos, content, etc.)
- Removal or suspension of listings
- Dispute resolution
- Limitation of liability (The Helpers not responsible for any damages)
- Governing law (South African law)
2. Privacy Policy (POPIA Compliant)
To comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 2013.
Covers:
- What personal and organisational data you collect
- How you collect it (e.g. registration form, cookies, analytics)
- Purpose of collection (verification, directory listings, communication)
- How data is stored, protected, and shared
- Users’ rights to access, correct, or delete their info
- Information Officer’s contact details
- Cookies policy and analytics (Google, social media pixels, etc.)
- Security measures in case of breach
3. POPIA Disclaimer / Consent Notice
A short, visible notice (on registration forms or footer banners) that explicitly informs users and
organisations that:
- By submitting their info, they consent to its processing and storage under POPIA
- The Helpers may use submitted details to verify and publish listings
- They can withdraw consent or request deletion anytime
- The Helpers are not responsible for false information supplied by users
This complements the Privacy Policy: it’s not a full policy, but a short “I understand and consent” statement users must tick before proceeding.
4. Verification & Listing Agreement (for NPOs / Organisations)
Specific agreement for registered charities to confirm:
- They are legitimate and authorised to represent their organisation
- The Helpers may display their logos, text, and documents
- They will keep information up to date
- They indemnify The Helpers against any misrepresentation or fraudulent activity
- The Helpers reserves the right to remove listings at any time
Protects you against liability from false or misleading listings.
5. General Legal Disclaimer (Public-Facing)
This is your “we try our best” message: usually found at the bottom of the site, on the registration page, and
in the “About” or FAQ sections.
Wording summary:
“While The Helpers takes reasonable steps to verify listed organisations, we cannot guarantee their
ongoing legitimacy, operations, or financial conduct. We encourage donors and volunteers to conduct their
own due diligence before engaging. The Helpers and their team cannot be held liable for any loss, harm, or
damages arising from any interactions with listed organisations.”
This is your legal shield: simple, public, and friendly.
6. Community & Ethical Guidelines (Optional but Recommended)
A friendly, values-driven statement that defines the spirit of the site.
Covers:
- Respectful and kind communication
- No hate speech, discrimination, or harassment
- Ethical fundraising and representation
- How The Helpers may moderate or remove listings or comments
This reinforces the platform’s credibility and community trust.
