Fountain of Life Harrismith (FOLHS)
Corner of Warden Street and Piet Uys Street, Harrismith, 9880, South Africa
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.folhs.co.za
Last Updated: 25 January 2025
1. Purpose
Fountain of Life Harrismith uses photography, video, and other media to document church activities, promote ministry initiatives, and communicate with the congregation and broader community.
This Policy sets out how images, video recordings, and related media are collected, used, stored, and protected in accordance with South African law, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
2. Scope
This Policy applies to:
- Church services
- Conferences and special events
- Youth and children’s ministry activities
- Outreach events
- Camps and ministry gatherings
- Social media platforms
- The church website
- Printed publications
3. Lawful Basis for Processing Media
Images and video recordings may constitute personal information under POPIA.
Fountain of Life Harrismith processes such media on the basis of:
- Consent
- Legitimate ministry interest
- Public event documentation
Where required, explicit written consent will be obtained.
4. Adults (18 Years and Older)
By attending church services or events where photography or videography takes place, adults acknowledge that:
- General event photography may occur
- Images may be used for ministry promotion
- Content may be published on the church website, social media platforms, or printed materials
Where an individual objects to being photographed, reasonable steps will be taken to accommodate such requests where practicable.
5. Children (Under 18 Years)
Special protection applies to minors.
5.1 Written parental or guardian consent must be obtained before:
- Publishing identifiable images of a child
- Using a child’s image in promotional material
- Posting images of children on social media
5.2 The church will not publish:
- A child’s full name, together with their image
- Personal contact details of a child
- Sensitive personal information
5.3 Images of children will always be:
- Respectful and appropriate
- Consistent with the church’s safeguarding standards
- Used in a manner that protects dignity and safety
6. Photography During Public Services
Church services are public gatherings.
General wide-angle photography and video recording may occur during services. These images are typically:
- Non-invasive
- Crowd-focused
- Used for livestream or promotional purposes
Close-up or individual-focused photography may require consent where practical.
7. Use of Media
Media may be used for:
- Church website content
- Social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
- Promotional materials
- Church newsletters
- Annual reports
- Ministry presentations
Media will not be sold to third parties.
8. Storage and Security
Media files are:
- Stored securely
- Accessible only to authorised church personnel
- Managed in accordance with POPIA principles
Reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access or misuse.
9. Withdrawal of Consent
Consent may be withdrawn at any time by contacting:
Email: [email protected]
Upon receiving a withdrawal request, the church will:
- Remove the image from future publications where reasonably possible
- Cease further use of the media
Removal from third-party platforms (such as social media shares by others) cannot be fully guaranteed.
10. External Media
From time to time, external media (e.g., photographers, videographers, or press) may attend church events.
Such parties will be required to:
- Respect this Policy
- Comply with applicable privacy laws
- Obtain consent where required
11. Prohibited Use of Media by Attendees
Attendees may not:
- Photograph or record children without parental consent
- Share images that compromise privacy or dignity
- Use church media for commercial purposes without permission
12. Policy Review
This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure compliance with legal requirements and safeguarding standards.