Effective Date: 15 July 2026
Welcome to HappeningNews (“we”, “our”, “us”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly, securely, and in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) of South Africa.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and the choices you have regarding your personal information when you visit or interact with our website.
By using HappeningNews.co.za, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
1. About HappeningNews
HappeningNews is an independent South African digital news and media platform that publishes news, features, interviews, community stories, and special editorial content, including our Women in Media section.
Our website address is:
2. Information Officer
In accordance with POPIA, HappeningNews has appointed an Information Officer responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable privacy legislation.
Information Officer
Name: Annette Havenga
Email: womeninmedia@happeningnews.co.za
Website: https://happeningnews.co.za
Should you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact the Information Officer.
3. Information We Collect
Depending on how you use our website, we may collect the following information:
Information you provide voluntarily
This includes information you choose to submit, such as:
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number (where applicable)
- Company or organisation name
- Information submitted through contact forms
- Media enquiries
- Press releases
- Comments submitted on articles (if comments are enabled)
- Newsletter subscription details
Information collected automatically
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device information
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Date and time of visit
- Referral website
- Session information
- General location based on IP address (country or city)
This information helps us improve website performance, security, and user experience.
4. Why We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information only where necessary and for legitimate business purposes.
These purposes include:
- Responding to enquiries
- Publishing news and editorial content
- Managing media requests
- Processing press releases
- Sending newsletters (where you have subscribed)
- Improving website performance
- Analysing website traffic
- Maintaining website security
- Preventing fraud or misuse
- Complying with legal obligations
- Managing advertising and sponsorship opportunities
We only collect information that is relevant to these purposes.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Under POPIA, we process personal information based on one or more of the following lawful grounds:
- Your consent
- Performance of a contract
- Compliance with legal obligations
- Protection of legitimate interests
- Legitimate interests pursued by HappeningNews
6. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites function efficiently.
Cookies may be used to:
- Remember your preferences
- Improve website performance
- Analyse visitor behaviour
- Measure website traffic
- Improve content relevance
- Support advertising services
You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, doing so may affect certain website features.
7. Analytics
We may use analytics services, including Google Analytics or similar services, to understand how visitors use our website.
Analytics information is generally collected in an aggregated and anonymised format and may include:
- Pages visited
- Time spent on pages
- Visitor locations
- Devices used
- Traffic sources
This information helps us improve our content and website.
8. Advertising
HappeningNews may display advertising from third-party advertising partners, including Google AdSense or similar advertising providers.
These providers may use cookies or similar technologies to display advertisements that are relevant to your interests.
Third-party advertising providers may collect information regarding your browsing activities across websites.
You may manage advertising preferences through your browser settings or Google’s Ad Settings where applicable.
9. Embedded Content
Articles on HappeningNews may include embedded content from third-party websites, including but not limited to:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Spotify
- Google Maps
Embedded content behaves exactly as though you have visited the external website directly.
These third-party websites may collect data, use cookies, and monitor your interaction with their content.
We recommend reviewing their respective privacy policies.
10. Contact Forms
If you contact us through our website, we collect the information you provide to respond to your enquiry.
We do not sell or rent this information to third parties.
11. Newsletter
If you subscribe to our newsletter, we will collect your email address for the purpose of sending news updates and related communications.
You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link included in every email.
12. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share information only where necessary with trusted service providers, including:
- Website hosting providers
- Email service providers
- Analytics providers
- Advertising partners
- Website security providers
- Professional advisers where legally required
All service providers are expected to process information securely and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
13. International Transfers
Some of our technology providers may process information outside South Africa.
Where international transfers occur, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your personal information.
14. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorised access
- Loss
- Misuse
- Disclosure
- Alteration
- Destruction
Although we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
15. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:
- Provide our services
- Meet legal obligations
- Resolve disputes
- Enforce our policies
- Maintain business records
When information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised where reasonably possible.
16. Your Rights Under POPIA
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:
- Request access to your personal information.
- Request correction of inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of personal information where appropriate.
- Object to certain processing activities.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator.
To exercise these rights, please contact our Information Officer.
17. Children’s Privacy
HappeningNews is intended for a general audience.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 18 without appropriate consent where required by law.
If you believe a child has provided personal information to us, please contact us so that appropriate action can be taken.
18. External Links
Our website contains links to third-party websites.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of external websites.
We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites they visit.
19. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, technology, or our services.
The updated version will always be published on this page together with the revised Effective Date.
Your continued use of the website after changes have been published constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
20. Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact:
HappeningNews
Website: https://happeningnews.co.za
Email: privacy@happeningnews.co.za
21. Information Regulator (South Africa)
If you believe that HappeningNews has not processed your personal information in accordance with POPIA, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).
Website: https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg/
Email: complaints.IR@justice.gov.za
Physical Address:
JD House
27 Stiemens Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg
South Africa
Thank you for trusting HappeningNews. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly and transparently.
