Effective Date: 15 May 2025
The Reformed Theological Academy (“RTA”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our website visitors, students, and community members. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you interact with our website (http://rgta.org.za/wp) and related services. We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa and other applicable data protection laws4.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information:
- Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address, and other details you provide when registering for courses, subscribing to newsletters, or contacting us.
- Usage Data: Information about your interactions with our website, including IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and time spent on the site.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Data collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze website usage3.
- Academic and Application Data: Information you provide when applying for courses or programs, including educational background, qualifications, and supporting documents.
- Payment Information: If you make payments for courses or services, we may collect payment details necessary to process transactions (handled securely through third-party payment processors).
2. How We Collect Information
We collect information in the following ways:
- Directly from You: When you fill out forms, register for courses, subscribe to newsletters, or contact us.
- Automatically: Through cookies, analytics tools, and server logs when you browse our website.
- From Third Parties: If you interact with our services via integrated third-party platforms (e.g., payment providers, analytics services)3.
3. Use of Your Information
We use your information to:
- Provide and manage our educational programs and services.
- Communicate with you regarding your inquiries, applications, and course participation.
- Send newsletters, updates, and promotional materials (with your consent).
- Improve our website, services, and user experience through data analysis.
- Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements5.
- Maintain the security and integrity of our systems.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Enhance your browsing experience.
- Remember your preferences and settings.
- Collect usage statistics to improve our services.
- Support website security and authentication.
You may manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Some features of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled3.
5. Sharing and Transfer of Data
We may share your personal information with:
- Service Providers: Trusted partners who assist in operating our website, processing payments, delivering communications, or providing analytics. These providers are required to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.
- Legal and Regulatory Authorities: When required to comply with applicable laws or respond to lawful requests.
- Academic Partners: In cases where collaboration or accreditation requires limited data sharing (with your knowledge and consent).
If your data is transferred outside South Africa, we ensure adequate protection in line with POPIA and other applicable laws43.
6. Children’s Privacy
Our website and services are not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information without consent, please contact us to request removal of the information3.
7. Your Rights and Choices
Under POPIA and other applicable laws, you have the right to:
- Access and request a copy of your personal data.
- Correct or update your personal information.
- Withdraw consent for certain uses of your data.
- Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal or contractual obligations).
- Object to or restrict processing of your data.
To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below45.
8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. Access to your data is limited to authorized personnel and service providers who require it for legitimate business purposes.
9. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting an updated policy on our website and updating the effective date.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us:
Reformed Theological Academy (RTA)
Potchefstroom, South Africa
By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
12. Contact and communication consent
Version 1.0. Last updated 3 October 2026.
Who we are. The Reformed Theological Academy (RTA) is the responsible party for your personal information under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Our Information Officer can be reached through the contact details above. You can also reach us through our contact page: https://rgta.org.za/about/contact/.
What you agree to. When you tick the consent box on a form, you agree that RTA may contact you by:
- WhatsApp, including text, voice notes, images, documents and links
- phone calls
What we contact you about. Your enquiry, follow-up on it, and newsletters and course or programme news you asked for. We will not contact you about anything unrelated.
How consent is given. You give consent by ticking the box on the form. It is voluntary. We save the date and time, the form you used, the channels, and the version of this wording you agreed to.
How often. Only as needed, and only occasionally for related news or offers. We do not sell your information or hand it to others to market to you.
WhatsApp. WhatsApp messages are delivered through WhatsApp (Meta). Your number is processed by them so the message can be delivered. After you submit a form you may receive an automatic message. A person may also send you voice notes or replies.
Changing your mind. Reply STOP on WhatsApp, use the unsubscribe link in any email, tell us on a call, or contact us through our contact page. We act on it promptly and stop contacting you on all channels, not only the one you used. Withdrawing does not affect messages we need to send to deliver something you already asked for, such as a booking confirmation or a receipt.
Who else handles your information. FluentCRM (email and contact records), FluentCart (orders), Paystack (payments) and WhatsApp (Meta). Some of these are outside South Africa. We use them only to run our service.
Keeping it, and your rights. We keep your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy (see section 9 above). You may ask to see, correct or delete your information, or object to direct marketing, at any time through our contact page. If we cannot sort it out, you may complain to the Information Regulator: [email protected], 010 023 5200 or 0800 017 160, Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191, inforegulator.org.za.
Governing law. The laws of the Republic of South Africa apply.
Kontak en kommunikasie-toestemming
Weergawe 1.0. Laas opgedateer 3 Oktober 2026.
Wie ons is. Die Reformed Theological Academy (RTA) is die verantwoordelike party vir jou persoonlike inligting onder die Wet op die Beskerming van Persoonlike Inligting (POPIA). Ons Inligtingsbeampte is bereikbaar deur die kontakbesonderhede hierbo. Jy kan ons ook bereik deur ons kontakbladsy: https://rgta.org.za/about/contact/.
Waartoe jy instem. Wanneer jy die toestemmingsblokkie op ‘n vorm merk, stem jy in dat RTA jou kan kontak per:
- e-pos
- WhatsApp, insluitend teks, stemboodskappe, beelde, dokumente en skakels
- foonoproepe
Waaroor ons jou kontak. Jou navraag, opvolg daarop, en nuusbriewe en kursus- of programnuus waarvoor jy gevra het. Ons kontak jou nie oor enigiets anders nie.
Hoe toestemming gegee word. Jy gee toestemming deur die blokkie op die vorm te merk. Dit is vrywillig. Ons stoor die datum en tyd, die vorm wat jy gebruik het, die kanale en die weergawe van hierdie woorde waarmee jy ingestem het.
Hoe gereeld. Net soos nodig, en net af en toe vir verwante nuus of aanbiedinge. Ons verkoop nie jou inligting nie en gee dit nie aan ander om jou mee te bemark nie.
WhatsApp. WhatsApp-boodskappe word deur WhatsApp (Meta) afgelewer. Hulle verwerk jou nommer sodat die boodskap afgelewer kan word. Nadat jy ‘n vorm ingestuur het, kan jy ‘n outomatiese boodskap kry. ‘n Persoon kan jou ook stemboodskappe of antwoorde stuur.
As jy van plan verander. Antwoord STOP op WhatsApp, gebruik die uitskryfskakel in enige e-pos, sê vir ons op ‘n oproep, of kontak ons deur ons kontakbladsy. Ons tree vinnig op en hou op om jou op alle kanale te kontak, nie net op die een wat jy gebruik het nie. Terugtrekking verander niks aan boodskappe wat ons moet stuur om iets af te lewer waarvoor jy reeds gevra het nie, soos ‘n bevestiging of ‘n kwitansie.
Wie anders jou inligting hanteer. FluentCRM (e-pos en kontakrekords), FluentCart (bestellings), Paystack (betalings) en WhatsApp (Meta). Party hiervan is buite Suid-Afrika. Ons gebruik hulle net om ons diens te laat werk.
Hoe lank ons dit hou, en jou regte. Ons hou jou persoonlike inligting net so lank as wat nodig is vir die doeleindes in hierdie beleid (sien afdeling 9 hierbo). Jy kan enige tyd vra om jou inligting te sien, reg te stel of uit te vee, of beswaar maak teen direkte bemarking, deur ons kontakbladsy te gebruik. As ons dit nie kan uitsorteer nie, kan jy ‘n klag by die Inligtingsreguleerder indien: [email protected], 010 023 5200 of 0800 017 160, Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191, inforegulator.org.za.
Regerende reg. Die wette van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika is van toepassing.
