Introduction
SEDD Africa is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, cultural integrity, and rights of the individuals and communities with whom we work.
Our organisation supports indigenous storytelling, education, cultural preservation, research, documentation, language revitalisation, creative expression, archival preservation, and community development. In carrying out this work, we may collect, document, store, process, and share personal information, oral histories, audiovisual materials, traditional knowledge, and other culturally significant information.
By engaging with our programmes, platforms, projects, research activities, archives, or services, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of information depending on how you engage with us:
How We Collect Information
We may collect information through the following channels:
- Interviews and oral history sessions
- Community consultations and workshops
- Educational programmes and research fieldwork
- Website forms and newsletter subscriptions
- Audio, video, and photographic documentation
- Partnership engagements and public events
- Social media engagement
- Archival submissions and donations
- Storytelling competitions
Legal & Ethical Basis for Collection
We collect and process information on the basis of:
- Individual consent
- Community authorisation
- Contractual necessity
- Legitimate organisational interests
- Legal obligations
- Public interest research and cultural preservation
How We Use Information
We may use collected information for purposes including:
- Cultural preservation and documentation
- Indigenous storytelling and media production
- Educational programming and curriculum development
- Academic and community research
- Archival preservation and language revitalisation
- Publications, exhibitions, and advocacy
- Community development initiatives
- Grant reporting and institutional accountability
- Website administration and communications
We strive to ensure that all uses remain respectful, culturally appropriate, and aligned with the permissions granted by contributors and communities.
Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Rights
We recognise that traditional knowledge and cultural expressions are not merely data — they are living cultural heritage belonging to individuals and communities.
- Indigenous communities retain rights and interests in their traditional knowledge and cultural materials.
- We do not claim ownership over indigenous cultural knowledge unless explicitly agreed in writing.
- Sacred, ceremonial, gender-restricted, seasonal, or culturally sensitive information may be restricted from publication or public access.
- Access to some materials may be governed by community protocols, customary laws, or collective decision-making processes.
- We prohibit unauthorised commercialisation, misuse, exploitation, or misrepresentation of indigenous cultural materials.
Consent
We seek informed consent before collecting, recording, publishing, or sharing personal or cultural information. Consent processes may include written consent forms, recorded verbal consent, community-level approvals, and ongoing consent discussions.
Contributors may:
- Decline participation at any time
- Restrict certain uses of their contributions
- Withdraw consent where feasible
- Request anonymity
- Request removal from future publications or platforms
Sharing & Disclosure of Information
We may share information with researchers and academic institutions, community partners, archives, museums and libraries, educational institutions, media and publishing partners, and technical service providers.
Data Storage & Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.
Despite our efforts, no digital transmission or storage system can be guaranteed fully secure. We encourage contributors to contact us with any security concerns.
Intellectual Property
Copyright and intellectual property rights relating to publications, recordings, and creative works may be governed by contributor agreements, community protocols, licensing arrangements, and applicable copyright laws.
International Data Transfers
Information may be processed or stored in countries outside your place of residence where our partners, archives, or service providers operate. Where international transfers occur, we seek reasonable safeguards consistent with applicable privacy laws.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Updated versions will be published on our website with a revised effective date. Continued participation in our activities after updates constitutes acknowledgement of the revised policy.
Contact Information
For questions, concerns, consent requests, corrections, or privacy-related matters, please contact us: