Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Cookies serve various purposes, including:

• Remembering your preferences and settings
• Enabling website functionality and features
• Analyzing how you use our website
• Personalizing content and advertisements
• Improving your overall browsing experience

2. Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Required

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt-out of these cookies as they are essential for the website to work.

Analytics and Performance Cookies

Optional

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This data helps us improve website performance and user experience.

We use analytics cookies to:

• Track page views and visitor counts
• Measure website traffic and engagement
• Identify popular content and navigation patterns
• Detect and resolve technical issues
• Understand how users found our website

Analytics tools we use:

• Google Analytics
• Hotjar (heatmaps and session recordings)
• Facebook Pixel

Functional Cookies

Optional

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages.

Functional cookies help us:

• Remember your preferences (language, region, font size)
• Provide personalized content recommendations
• Enable social media sharing features
• Remember items in your shopping cart
• Store your newsletter subscription preferences

Advertising and Targeting Cookies

Optional

These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They also help limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Advertising cookies may:

• Track your browsing across different websites
• Build a profile of your interests
• Deliver targeted advertisements
• Measure ad campaign performance
• Prevent repetitive ad displays

Advertising partners we work with:

• Google Ads
• Facebook Ads
• Pinterest Ads
• Affiliate marketing networks

3. Specific Cookies Used on Our Website

Below is a detailed list of the cookies we use on our website:

Cookie Name	Purpose	Duration	Type
_ga	Google Analytics – Distinguishes unique users	2 years	Analytics
_gid	Google Analytics – Distinguishes users	24 hours	Analytics
_gat	Google Analytics – Throttle request rate	1 minute	Analytics
session_id	Maintains user session state	Session	Essential
cookie_consent	Stores cookie consent preferences	1 year	Essential
_fbp	Facebook Pixel – Tracks conversions	3 months	Advertising
preferences	Stores user preferences and settings	1 year	Functional
_hjid	Hotjar – User identification	1 year	Analytics

4. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies

First-Party Cookies

These are cookies set directly by our website. We have full control over these cookies and use them to enhance your experience on our site.

Third-Party Cookies

These are cookies set by external services and partners we use on our website. We do not have direct control over these cookies, but they help us provide enhanced functionality and services.

Third-party services that may set cookies include:

• Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn)
• Analytics providers (Google Analytics, Hotjar)
• Advertising networks (Google Ads, Facebook Ads)
• Content delivery networks (CDNs)
• Email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, ConvertKit)
• Affiliate marketing platforms

5. Session Cookies vs. Persistent Cookies

Session Cookies

These temporary cookies are deleted when you close your browser. They help our website function properly during your visit.

Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them manually. They remember your preferences and settings for future visits.

6. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies:

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

• View which cookies are stored on your device
• Delete all or specific cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all third-party cookies
• Clear all cookies when you close your browser
• Set up alerts when cookies are being sent

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

• Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
• Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
• Microsoft Edge: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions
• Opera: Settings > Privacy & security > Cookies and other site data

Opt-Out Tools

You can opt-out of specific tracking services:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Facebook Pixel: Adjust your Facebook Ad Preferences
• NAI Opt-Out: Network Advertising Initiative
• DAA Opt-Out: Digital Advertising Alliance

Mobile Device Settings

On mobile devices, you can manage cookies and tracking through your device settings:

• iOS: Settings > Privacy > Tracking / Advertising
• Android: Settings > Google > Ads

8. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals websites not to track your browsing activity. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals because there is no industry-standard interpretation of DNT signals.

9. Cookies and Your Privacy

We take your privacy seriously. When using cookies:

• We collect and process data in accordance with our Privacy Policy
• We implement security measures to protect cookie data
• We limit cookie data retention to necessary periods
• We provide transparency about our cookie usage
• We respect your cookie preferences and choices

10. Third-Party Cookie Policies

Our website uses services from third-party providers who may set their own cookies. We recommend reviewing their cookie policies:

• Google Cookie Policy
• Facebook Cookie Policy
• Pinterest Cookie Policy

11. Cookie Consent

When you first visit our website, we will display a cookie consent banner asking for your permission to use non-essential cookies. You can:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Customize your cookie preferences
• Change your preferences at any time

Your consent preferences are stored in a cookie so we can remember your choices on future visits.

12. Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

13. International Visitors

If you are visiting our website from outside South Africa, please note that cookies may be transferred to and stored on servers in different countries. By using our website, you consent to this transfer of information.