Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Okhantu Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.

You represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 18 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement
• You are authorised to act on behalf of any company or entity you register
• Your use of the Platform will comply with all applicable South African laws and regulations

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("you", "your", or "User") and Okhantu (Pty) Ltd ("Okhantu", "we", "us", or "our"), a company registered in the Republic of South Africa.

2. Account Registration

To access certain features of the Platform, you must create an account. When registering, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security of your password and account credentials
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised access or use of your account

Account Restrictions

• One account per business entity (multiple users may be added as team members)
• Accounts are non-transferable without our written consent
• You may not create accounts for others without authorisation
• We reserve the right to refuse registration or cancel accounts at our discretion

Verification

By registering, you consent to verification processes including SMS/email verification, and you acknowledge that we may verify your business credentials through third-party sources (CIPC, SARS, B-BBEE verification agencies).

3. Platform Services

Okhantu provides an SME verification, matching, and enablement platform. Our services include:

Core Services

• TenderOS: Tender discovery portal, alerts, filtering, and bid pack preparation
• DocumentOS: Document upload, verification, and evidence tracking
• VerificationOS: Business credential verification and compliance badge management
• AccordOS: Legislation browser, compliance packs, and document templates

Business Services

• BusinessOS: Contact management, leads, quotes, invoices, and business reports
• PracticeOS: Professional practice management including clients, jobs, time tracking, and billing
• QuotationOS: Lead marketplace, credit system, and quote request management
• ProGuild: Professional directory and verification for accountants, attorneys, and consultants
• InvoiceFinanceOS: Invoice funding marketplace connecting SMEs with independent finance providers. See Section 16: Invoice Finance Services for detailed terms.

Intelligence Services

• ForesightOS: Budget intelligence, procurement signals, and market insights
• FundingOS: Funding opportunity discovery and programme matching
• MatchingOS: Automated tender matching and capability scoring

Tools & Utilities

• SME Tools: VAT calculator, PAYE calculator, invoice generator, quote generator, margin calculator, B-BBEE calculator, compliance checker, and receipt scanner
• TasksOS: Bookmarks, saved searches, and action item tracking

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any service at any time with reasonable notice.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use the Platform only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree NOT to:

Prohibited Activities

• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely represent your affiliation
• Upload forged, altered, or fraudulent documents
• Engage in tender collusion, bid rigging, or corrupt practices
• Access or attempt to access accounts or systems without authorisation
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform or servers
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without written permission
• Circumvent any security measures or access controls
• Harvest or collect user information without consent
• Use the Platform for any illegal purpose or to violate any laws

Content Standards

Any content you upload or submit must not:

• Infringe any intellectual property rights
• Contain viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Be defamatory, obscene, or offensive
• Violate any person's privacy or data protection rights

Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy may result in immediate suspension or termination of your account and may be reported to relevant authorities.

5. Intellectual Property

Our Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its design, features, algorithms, software, text, graphics, logos, and all other content (excluding User Content), is owned by Okhantu or its licensors and is protected by South African and international intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of the Platform without our written consent. You may not reverse engineer or attempt to extract the source code of our software.

Your Content

You retain ownership of all content you upload to the Platform ("User Content"). By uploading User Content, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use, store, display, and process your content solely for the purpose of providing our services to you.

You represent that you have all necessary rights to upload your User Content and that it does not infringe any third-party rights.

Trademarks

"Okhantu" and our logos are trademarks of Okhantu (Pty) Ltd. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written consent.

6. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

By using the Platform, you consent to:

• The collection and processing of your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy
• Verification of your business credentials through authorised third parties
• Receiving service-related communications via email, SMS, or in-app notifications

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and you may exercise your data subject rights by contacting our Information Officer at privacy@okhantu.co.za.

7. Payment Terms

Subscriptions

Certain features of the Platform require a paid subscription. By subscribing, you agree to:

• Pay all applicable fees as described at the time of purchase
• Provide accurate billing information
• Authorise recurring charges for subscription renewals

Billing

• Subscription fees are billed in advance on a monthly or annual basis
• All fees are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) and include VAT where applicable
• Payments are processed through our authorised payment providers

Refunds

Subscription fees are generally non-refundable. However, you may be eligible for a refund if:

• You cancel within 14 days of your initial subscription (cooling-off period)
• We materially fail to provide the subscribed services
• Required by applicable consumer protection laws

Price Changes

We may change our prices with at least 30 days' notice. Continued use of the Platform after a price change constitutes acceptance of the new pricing.

8. Verification and Matching Disclaimer

While we strive to provide accurate verification and matching services, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Verification accuracy: We rely on third-party data sources (CIPC, SARS, B-BBEE agencies) and cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of verification results
• No guarantee of success: Use of our tender matching or funding discovery services does not guarantee that you will be awarded any tender or funding
• Ranking transparency: Our matching algorithms use objective criteria, but rankings are provided for informational purposes only
• Third-party decisions: Award decisions are made by procuring entities and funders, not by Okhantu

You are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information before relying on it for business decisions.

9. Limitation of Liability

Service Provided "As Is"

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

Exclusion of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OKHANTU SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Damages arising from your reliance on verification or matching results
• Damages arising from unauthorised access to your account
• Service interruptions, delays, or failures

Liability Cap

Our total liability for any claims arising from your use of the Platform shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the fees you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) R10,000 (ten thousand South African Rand).

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Okhantu, its directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Your User Content
• Any fraudulent or illegal activity conducted through your account

11. Termination

Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at help@okhantu.co.za or through the account settings in the Platform. Upon termination:

• Your access to the Platform will be revoked
• Any prepaid subscription fees are non-refundable (except as required by law)
• Your data will be retained as described in our Privacy Policy

Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately, without prior notice, if:

• You breach these Terms or our Acceptable Use Policy
• We are required to do so by law
• We reasonably believe your account has been compromised
• We discontinue the Platform or relevant services

Effect of Termination

Upon termination, Sections 5 (Intellectual Property), 9 (Limitation of Liability), 10 (Indemnification), and 12 (Dispute Resolution) shall survive.

12. Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Jurisdiction

You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Gauteng, South Africa, for any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform.

Informal Resolution

Before initiating any legal proceedings, you agree to first contact us at legal@okhantu.co.za to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will attempt to resolve disputes within 30 days.

Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, any dispute shall be finally resolved by arbitration administered by the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) in accordance with its rules. The arbitration shall take place in Pretoria, Gauteng, and shall be conducted in English.

13. Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on the Platform
• Updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• Sending you an email notification (for material changes)

Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Platform and terminate your account.

14. General Provisions

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Okhantu regarding your use of the Platform.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

No Agency

Nothing in these Terms creates any agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship between you and Okhantu.

15. Invoice Finance Services

Service Description

Okhantu provides a technology platform ("InvoiceFinanceOS") that enables:

• Small and medium enterprises ("SMEs") to submit invoices for potential funding
• Independent finance providers ("Funders") to view and make offers on submitted invoices

Platform Role - Important Notice

Okhantu is a technology platform only. We:

• DO NOT provide credit, loans, or funding directly
• DO NOT act as a credit provider under the National Credit Act
• DO NOT provide financial advice under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act
• DO NOT guarantee that any funding request will be fulfilled
• DO NOT guarantee the terms, rates, or conditions offered by Funders

All funding decisions, terms, and conditions are determined solely by the independent Funders registered on the platform.

Funder Independence

Funders on the Okhantu platform:

• Operate as independent businesses
• Are solely responsible for their regulatory compliance
• Make their own funding decisions without influence from Okhantu
• Set their own terms, fees, and conditions

Okhantu's verification of Funders confirms only their registration and basic business credentials. It does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of their performance or suitability.

SME Consent

By using InvoiceFinanceOS, SMEs consent to:

• Sharing invoice and business information with registered Funders
• Verification of business credentials through third-party sources
• Receiving communications related to funding requests and offers

Limitation of Liability

Okhantu is not liable for:

• Funding decisions made by Funders
• Terms or conditions offered by Funders
• Non-payment or default by any party
• Disputes between SMEs and Funders
• Financial losses arising from funding arrangements

Dispute Resolution

Disputes between SMEs and Funders should be resolved directly between the parties. Okhantu may, at its discretion, provide communication records to assist in dispute resolution but is not obligated to mediate or arbitrate disputes.

16. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

For more information about our legal documents, visit our Legal & Compliance Library.