COOKIE POLICY FOR HOWZIT PORTAL

Last Updated: September 2026

Website: https://www.howzitportal.co.za

Operator: Hashtag Creativa (Pty) Ltd t/a Howzit Portal

1. WHAT ARE COOKIES?

Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device when you visit. They are widely used to make websites work, remember preferences, and understand how the site is being used. Similar technologies ("local storage", "session storage") are used in the same way, and this policy covers them too.

2. THE COOKIES WE USE

Howzit Portal uses the following categories of cookies and local storage:

2.1 Strictly necessary cookies

These are required for the Platform to function and cannot be switched off. They include session identifiers, security tokens, and storage that keeps your search, enquiry, and "My Inquiries" state working as you move between pages. Our cookie consent record itself is stored locally so we remember your choice.

2.2 Functional cookies and local storage

These remember your choices — for example the last category you browsed, your drawer and filter selections, and whether you have already seen an introductory message — to improve your experience. They are set by us ("first-party").

2.3 Analytics cookies

These help us understand, in aggregate, how visitors use the Platform (which categories are popular, how long searches take) so we can improve it. Analytics data is aggregated and does not identify you personally. You may refuse analytics cookies without losing access to core directory functions.

2.4 Third-party cookies

Some embedded content (such as maps or fonts loaded from CDNs) may set third-party cookies. Payment gateways (PayFast, Peach Payments, Yoco) also set their own cookies during checkout on their own domains, governed by their policies.

3. HOW LONG COOKIES LAST

• Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser.
• Persistent cookies / local storage last from a few days (preferences) up to 12 months (analytics). The cookie consent record lasts 12 months, after which we ask again.

4. YOUR CHOICES AND CONTROL

You control cookies. When you first visit the Platform we show a cookie notice explaining our use of cookies and linking to this policy. You can accept all cookies or reject non-essential cookies from that notice, and you can change your mind at any time:

• Browser settings: Every major browser lets you block or delete cookies (look for "Privacy" or "Site data" in settings). Blocking all cookies may limit some interactive features — search and browsing will still work.
• Re-open the cookie notice: Click "Cookie Settings" in the footer of any page to see the notice again.
• Do Not Track / Global Privacy Control: We respect browser-level signals where supported.

Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent the enquiry forms, "My Inquiries", and login-dependent features from working.

5. COOKIES AND SOUTH AFRICAN LAW

POPIA requires that visitors are made aware of cookies and of the purposes for which personal information is collected through them, and the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and ECT Act require that unsolicited communications and automated information collection are transparent. Our cookie notice, this policy, and our Privacy Policy together provide that transparency.

6. CONTACT

Questions about cookies? Contact the Information Officer at help@howzitportal.co.za or 065 941 5624.