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Cookie Policy

What cookies and browser storage are used on sombuluka.com, and how to manage your preferences.

Last updated: 1 June 2026. This policy applies to www.sombuluka.com only. For full details of how we handle personal information, see our Privacy Notice.

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device when you visit. They allow the website to remember certain information about your visit, such as a temporary session ID, so the site can function correctly.

In addition to cookies, this website uses browser local storage to save your cookie preferences locally on your device. Local storage entries are not automatically sent to our server on every request.

2. How We Use Cookies

This website uses cookies minimally and purposefully. We do not use cookies to track your browsing activity across other websites, serve advertisements, or build profiles about you. The categories below describe every technology in use.

3. Necessary Cookies

Necessary cookies are required for the website to function securely. They cannot be disabled. Submitting a contact or consultation form requires these cookies to be active.

Name / Type Provider Purpose Duration
PHP session cookie (PHPSESSID) Sombuluka Business Services (our server) Links your browser to a temporary server-side record used only for form rate limiting. Contains no personal identifying information. Session (cleared on browser close or short inactivity)
Cloudflare Turnstile verification token (cf_clearance and related) Cloudflare, Inc. (US) Verifies that a form submission comes from a human browser and not an automated bot. No personal identifiers are shared with Cloudflare beyond what is technically required. Short-lived; set at form interaction

4. Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are set by optional third-party content that we do not load by default. You can choose to allow functional content on the Contact page; doing so causes your browser to load the Google Maps embed, which may set cookies from Google.

Status: visitor-controlled. Not loaded until you give permission.

Name / Type Provider Purpose Status
Google Maps embed cookies (various, including NID, CONSENT) Google LLC (US) Set by the Google Maps iframe when loaded on the Contact page. Google may use these to personalise map features and remember display preferences. Not loaded unless you allow functional content

Google’s cookie policy: policies.google.com/technologies/cookies

5. Analytics Cookies

Analytics cookies are optional and load only after you give Analytics consent. If you reject optional cookies or do not give consent, no analytics script is loaded and no data is sent to Google.

This website uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors find and use the site and to measure the performance of enquiry and consultation pages. GA4 is provided by Google LLC (United States) and is subject to Google’s own privacy terms.

Name / Type Provider Purpose Status
Google Analytics 4 cookies (_ga, _ga_* and related) Google LLC (US) Used to distinguish unique visitors and sessions, and to track page views and interaction events. No personal form data, names, email addresses or phone numbers are intentionally sent to GA4. Active, after Analytics consent only

Google Analytics may process data on servers outside South Africa, including in the United States. Google’s cookie and privacy policies apply: policies.google.com/technologies/cookies

We do not use Meta Pixel, Hotjar, Matomo or any other analytics platform.

6. Marketing Cookies

No marketing or advertising cookies are currently active on this website.

We do not use retargeting pixels, advertising networks or conversion tracking. If marketing features are introduced in the future, this policy will be updated and visitor consent will be sought.

7. Local Storage

This website uses your browser’s local storage (not a cookie) to save your cookie preference record. The stored entry is:

Key Purpose Data stored Sent to server?
sombuluka_consent Records which cookie categories you have accepted or declined so the banner is not shown on every page A version number, timestamp and boolean values for each cookie category. No personal information. No, stays on your device only

8. Third-Party Services and Cookies

The following third-party services may set cookies or receive data from your browser when active:

Note: Google Places API is used server-side to retrieve business review data for the homepage. This is a server-to-server connection; your browser does not contact Google for this purpose, and no cookies are set in your browser as a result.

9. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

When you first visit this website, a cookie banner gives you the choice to:

  • Accept all: allows necessary and functional cookies
  • Reject optional: allows only necessary cookies; functional content is not loaded
  • Manage preferences: opens a panel where you can individually control functional, analytics and marketing categories

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking Cookie Settings at the bottom of any page on this website.

10. Browser-Level Cookie Controls

Most browsers allow you to view, block or delete cookies through settings. However, blocking necessary cookies will prevent forms on this website from working. Instructions for common browsers:

  • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
  • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies

11. Changes to This Policy

We will update this Cookie Policy if we add new cookies or change how existing cookies are used. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page shows the most recent revision. If new optional categories of cookie are introduced, the consent banner will be shown again.

12. Contact

For questions about cookies or to exercise your privacy rights, contact us:

See also our Privacy Notice for full details of how we process personal information.

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