Last updated: June 2026

Small Town South Africa ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

Who we are

Small Town South Africa is the Responsible Party for any personal information collected through this website.

Contact: info@smalltownsa.co.za

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What we collect, why, and our lawful basis

Newsletter signups

We collect your email address when you subscribe to our newsletter. We use it to send you updates about new towns, blog posts, and site news. Lawful basis: consent. Providing your email address is voluntary. If you choose not to subscribe, you simply will not receive our newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email we send.

Contact and enquiry forms

We collect your name, email address, and any information you include in your message. We use this only to respond to your enquiry. Lawful basis: legitimate interest (responding to direct contact). Providing this information is voluntary, but without it we cannot respond to you.

Content submissions

When you submit photos, stories, or town information to be considered for featuring on the site, we collect your name, contact details, and the content you provide. We will contact you before publishing any submission. Lawful basis: consent. Submitting content is entirely voluntary.

Website analytics

We use analytics software to understand how visitors use our site. This data is aggregated and anonymous. Lawful basis: legitimate interest (improving the site).

Third-party services and international transfers

We use the following third-party services, some of which are based outside South Africa. Where personal information is transferred to a third country, we take reasonable steps to ensure it is adequately protected, including using services that comply with recognised international data protection standards.

Mapbox (United States) — for interactive maps. Mapbox may collect location and usage data when you interact with maps on this site. See mapbox.com/legal/privacy.

Email marketing software (may be hosted outside South Africa) — to manage our newsletter list and send emails.

Analytics software (may be hosted outside South Africa) — to understand site traffic and usage.

We do not sell your personal information to any third party.

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Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your personal information against loss, damage, unauthorised access, and misuse. Where we use third-party services to process personal information on our behalf, we take steps to ensure they maintain appropriate security standards.

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Cookies

This site uses cookies to support basic functionality and analytics. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some parts of the site may not function correctly if you do.

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Your rights under POPIA

You have the right to:

1. Know what personal information we hold about you

2. Request access to or correction of your information

3. Request deletion of your information (where applicable)

4. Object to the processing of your information

5. Withdraw consent at any time, where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@smalltownsa.co.za.

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Complaints

If you believe we have handled your personal information unlawfully, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator:

Information Regulator (South Africa)

Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za

Tel: 010 023 5207

Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg

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Data retention

We keep your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose it was collected for. Newsletter subscriber data is held until you unsubscribe. Form and submission data is kept for a reasonable period to manage ongoing correspondence, after which it is deleted.

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Contact

Small Town South Africa

info@smalltownsa.co.za

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