Terms and Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Introduction
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of www.rishta.co.za (“Rishta” or the “Website”) and the matchmaking services provided through Rishta.
Rishta is operated by Niche Dating, registration number 2011/015356/23 (“Niche Dating”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
By accessing the Website, submitting a registration, using the Rishta service or agreeing to proceed with an introduction, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms and agree to be bound by them.
If you do not agree with these Terms, you should not use the Rishta service.
About Rishta
Rishta is a private matchmaking service intended to assist adults seeking a potential life partner.
Rishta is not a public dating-profile website. Profiles submitted to Rishta are administered privately for matchmaking purposes.
The matchmaking process may include:
submission and review of a registration;
communication with registered individuals;
assessment of potential compatibility;
identification of potential matches;
discussion of a proposed introduction;
obtaining agreement where appropriate before proceeding; and
facilitating an introduction between individuals.
The precise matchmaking process may vary according to the circumstances of each potential introduction.
Eligibility
You must be 18 years of age or older to register with or use Rishta.
By submitting a registration, you warrant that:
you are at least 18 years old;
the information you provide is, to the best of your knowledge, truthful and accurate;
you are legally entitled to participate in the matchmaking service;
you are genuinely seeking a potential relationship or life partner; and
your use of Rishta will comply with applicable South African law and these Terms.
Rishta may decline, suspend or discontinue a registration or matchmaking service where we reasonably believe that these requirements have not been met or where this is necessary to protect the service or another person.
Registration and Profile Information
To participate in the Rishta matchmaking service, you may be required to provide personal and profile information.
You are responsible for ensuring that the information you provide is accurate and not deliberately misleading.
You should inform Rishta if material information relevant to your matchmaking profile changes.
Submission of a registration does not create an entitlement to receive a match or introduction.
Rishta may contact you to clarify information, obtain additional information or discuss a potential introduction.
Verification
Rishta may, where reasonably appropriate, request additional information or verification before proceeding with an introduction.
Any verification undertaken by Rishta is intended to support the matchmaking process but should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every statement made by another individual is complete, accurate or independently verified.
You remain responsible for exercising reasonable judgment when deciding whether to communicate with, meet or pursue a relationship with another person.
Private Matchmaking and Confidentiality
Rishta is designed as a private matchmaking service.
Information supplied by you may be reviewed internally for the purpose of assessing potential matches.
Your full registration is not intended to be published as a publicly searchable dating profile.
Where a potential match is identified, appropriate information may be discussed or shared for the purpose of assessing or facilitating an introduction.
Information received about another person through Rishta must be treated respectfully and confidentially. You may not publish, distribute, exploit or use another person’s private profile information for an unrelated purpose without that person’s permission or another lawful basis.
This includes photographs and personal information supplied as part of the matchmaking process.
Introductions
Rishta may identify individuals who appear potentially compatible based on information available to us and our assessment of the circumstances.
An introduction is intended to provide the parties with an opportunity to communicate and determine for themselves whether they wish to proceed further.
Rishta does not guarantee:
that a suitable match will be identified;
that any particular person will agree to an introduction;
a minimum number or frequency of introductions;
that two people will be compatible;
that communication will continue following an introduction;
that an introduction will result in a meeting, relationship, engagement or marriage; or
any particular personal or relationship outcome.
The decision to communicate with or meet another person remains entirely with the individuals concerned.
Consent to an Introduction
Rishta may contact you about a proposed introduction.
Where the Rishta process requires confirmation before an introduction proceeds, the relevant parties will be given an opportunity to indicate whether they wish to proceed.
Agreeing to consider a potential match does not oblige either person to pursue a relationship or continue communicating after an introduction.
Either person may decide not to proceed.
Fees and Payment
Rishta operates on a pay-per-introduction model rather than requiring an upfront membership fee merely to submit a registration.
Where a fee applies to an introduction, the applicable fee and relevant payment instructions will be communicated to you before the paid introduction proceeds.
You will be given an opportunity to accept the applicable charge before becoming liable for it.
Fees may vary and no particular fee should be assumed unless it has been communicated and accepted in connection with the relevant service or introduction.
Payment arrangements may be communicated separately by Rishta.
Rishta does not represent through these Terms that any particular payment gateway or payment method will always be available.
Cancellations and Refunds
The nature of a matchmaking introduction means that a service may be regarded as having been performed once the agreed introduction has been facilitated or the relevant information has been provided.
Subject always to rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable South African consumer law, a fee for an introduction that has already been properly facilitated may ordinarily be non-refundable.
Where a paid service has not yet been performed, any request to cancel will be considered in accordance with the circumstances and applicable law.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, restrict or waive any consumer right that cannot legally be excluded or waived.
Questions concerning a payment, cancellation or refund may be sent to info@rishta.co.za.
Personal Safety
Rishta facilitates introductions but cannot control the conduct of individuals after an introduction.
You are responsible for deciding whether, when and how to communicate with or meet another person.
You should take reasonable personal-safety precautions when communicating with or meeting someone for the first time.
For example, you should exercise appropriate judgment regarding:
sharing additional personal information;
financial information or requests for money;
private or intimate photographs;
meeting arrangements;
transportation;
meeting in an appropriate public place; and
informing someone you trust of your plans where appropriate.
You should not send money or provide financial assistance to another person merely because you were introduced through Rishta.
If another person behaves in a threatening, fraudulent, abusive or otherwise concerning manner, you should discontinue contact where appropriate and notify Rishta.
Where there is an immediate threat to personal safety, contact the appropriate emergency or law-enforcement service.
User Conduct
You may not use Rishta:
for fraud or deception;
to impersonate another person;
to harass, threaten or abuse another person;
to obtain personal information for an unrelated commercial or improper purpose;
to distribute another person’s private profile information without permission or lawful authority;
to solicit money or financial assistance improperly;
to distribute unlawful, defamatory, threatening or abusive material;
to interfere with the security or operation of the Website;
to introduce malware or malicious code;
to attempt unauthorised access to Rishta systems or data; or
for any purpose prohibited by South African law.
Rishta may refuse or discontinue service where we reasonably believe these Terms have been breached or where continued participation creates an unreasonable risk to Rishta or another person.
Removal or Withdrawal of a Profile
You may contact Rishta if you no longer wish your profile to be considered for matchmaking.
Requests should be sent to:
info@rishta.co.za
Stopping active matchmaking does not necessarily require the immediate deletion of every record associated with your registration.
Certain information may continue to be retained where reasonably required for legal, regulatory, accounting, security, evidentiary, dispute-resolution or other lawful purposes, as described in our Privacy Policy.
Privacy and Personal Information
Use of Rishta involves the processing of personal information.
Niche Dating processes personal information in accordance with the Rishta Privacy Policy and applicable South African law, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”).
The Privacy Policy explains the categories of information collected, how information is used and protected, the use of service providers and cookies, retention practices and your privacy rights.
The Privacy Policy is available on the Website.
Third-Party Services
Rishta may use third-party technology and service providers to operate and secure the Website and provide the matchmaking service.
The Website may also contain links to external websites or services.
Niche Dating does not control independent third-party websites and is not responsible for their content, availability, security or privacy practices.
Use of an independent third-party service may be subject to that provider’s own terms and policies.
Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise indicated, the Website and its original content, branding, text, graphics, layout, design, software and other materials are owned by or licensed to Niche Dating and are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.
You are granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive and non-transferable right to access and use the Website for lawful personal purposes connected with the Rishta service.
You may not, without appropriate permission:
reproduce substantial parts of the Website for commercial purposes;
commercially exploit Rishta content;
copy or scrape private profile information;
use Rishta branding in a manner suggesting an unauthorised association;
reverse engineer or interfere with Website functionality where prohibited by law; or
use content in a manner that infringes intellectual-property or other rights.
Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of Niche Dating’s intellectual property to you.
Availability of the Website
We aim to keep Rishta reasonably available and secure, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access.
The Website may occasionally be unavailable because of maintenance, technical problems, security measures, hosting interruptions or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
We may modify, improve, suspend or discontinue Website functionality where reasonably necessary.
No Professional or Relationship Advice
Information provided by Rishta is intended to support the matchmaking service and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, psychological or other professional advice.
Any observations concerning potential compatibility are inherently subjective and should not be treated as professional advice or a guarantee of compatibility.
You remain responsible for your own decisions concerning another person and any relationship arising from an introduction.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable South African law, Niche Dating does not guarantee the accuracy of information supplied by another individual, the conduct of another individual, compatibility between individuals or the outcome of an introduction.
Rishta is a facilitation and matchmaking service. Individuals remain responsible for their own communications, meetings, decisions and conduct.
To the extent permitted by law, Niche Dating will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss arising solely from the use of the Website or an introduction.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude rights or remedies available to a consumer under applicable South African law where those rights cannot legally be excluded.
Indemnity
To the extent permitted by law, you agree to be responsible for loss or damage reasonably arising from your unlawful use of Rishta, your material breach of these Terms, or your infringement of another person’s rights.
This provision does not require you to indemnify Niche Dating for liability that cannot lawfully be transferred to you.
Complaints and Disputes
If you have a complaint concerning Rishta, an introduction, payment or the service, please contact:
info@rishta.co.za
We will endeavour to consider legitimate complaints reasonably and in accordance with applicable law.
Nothing in this section prevents you from exercising any statutory remedy or approaching a competent regulator, ombud, tribunal or court where you are legally entitled to do so.
Changes to These Terms
Niche Dating may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to the Rishta service, applicable law or our business practices.
The current effective date will be displayed on this page.
Where a change is material and applicable law requires additional notice, acceptance or consent, we will take reasonable steps to provide it.
Changes do not retrospectively alter an agreed fee or completed introduction merely because the Website Terms are subsequently updated.
Governing Law
These Terms and your use of Rishta are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any dispute will be dealt with by a court, tribunal, ombud or other forum having jurisdiction under applicable South African law.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to deprive a consumer of a right to approach a forum or court available to them under applicable law.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found by a competent court or other authority to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be interpreted or limited to the extent reasonably necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any specific fee or service terms expressly communicated and accepted in connection with an introduction, constitute the applicable agreement concerning your use of Rishta.
Where specific terms for a particular paid service have been expressly communicated and accepted, those specific terms will apply to that service together with these Terms.
Contact Details
For enquiries concerning these Terms or the Rishta service, please contact:
Niche Dating
Email: info@rishta.co.za
Introduction
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of www.rishta.co.za (“Rishta” or the “Website”) and the matchmaking services provided through Rishta.
Rishta is operated by Niche Dating, registration number 2011/015356/23 (“Niche Dating”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
By accessing the Website, submitting a registration, using the Rishta service or agreeing to proceed with an introduction, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms and agree to be bound by them.
If you do not agree with these Terms, you should not use the Rishta service.
About Rishta
Rishta is a private matchmaking service intended to assist adults seeking a potential life partner.
Rishta is not a public dating-profile website. Profiles submitted to Rishta are administered privately for matchmaking purposes.
The matchmaking process may include:
submission and review of a registration;
communication with registered individuals;
assessment of potential compatibility;
identification of potential matches;
discussion of a proposed introduction;
obtaining agreement where appropriate before proceeding; and
facilitating an introduction between individuals.
The precise matchmaking process may vary according to the circumstances of each potential introduction.
Eligibility
You must be 18 years of age or older to register with or use Rishta.
By submitting a registration, you warrant that:
you are at least 18 years old;
the information you provide is, to the best of your knowledge, truthful and accurate;
you are legally entitled to participate in the matchmaking service;
you are genuinely seeking a potential relationship or life partner; and
your use of Rishta will comply with applicable South African law and these Terms.
Rishta may decline, suspend or discontinue a registration or matchmaking service where we reasonably believe that these requirements have not been met or where this is necessary to protect the service or another person.
Registration and Profile Information
To participate in the Rishta matchmaking service, you may be required to provide personal and profile information.
You are responsible for ensuring that the information you provide is accurate and not deliberately misleading.
You should inform Rishta if material information relevant to your matchmaking profile changes.
Submission of a registration does not create an entitlement to receive a match or introduction.
Rishta may contact you to clarify information, obtain additional information or discuss a potential introduction.
Verification
Rishta may, where reasonably appropriate, request additional information or verification before proceeding with an introduction.
Any verification undertaken by Rishta is intended to support the matchmaking process but should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every statement made by another individual is complete, accurate or independently verified.
You remain responsible for exercising reasonable judgment when deciding whether to communicate with, meet or pursue a relationship with another person.
Private Matchmaking and Confidentiality
Rishta is designed as a private matchmaking service.
Information supplied by you may be reviewed internally for the purpose of assessing potential matches.
Your full registration is not intended to be published as a publicly searchable dating profile.
Where a potential match is identified, appropriate information may be discussed or shared for the purpose of assessing or facilitating an introduction.
Information received about another person through Rishta must be treated respectfully and confidentially. You may not publish, distribute, exploit or use another person’s private profile information for an unrelated purpose without that person’s permission or another lawful basis.
This includes photographs and personal information supplied as part of the matchmaking process.
Introductions
Rishta may identify individuals who appear potentially compatible based on information available to us and our assessment of the circumstances.
An introduction is intended to provide the parties with an opportunity to communicate and determine for themselves whether they wish to proceed further.
Rishta does not guarantee:
that a suitable match will be identified;
that any particular person will agree to an introduction;
a minimum number or frequency of introductions;
that two people will be compatible;
that communication will continue following an introduction;
that an introduction will result in a meeting, relationship, engagement or marriage; or
any particular personal or relationship outcome.
The decision to communicate with or meet another person remains entirely with the individuals concerned.
Consent to an Introduction
Rishta may contact you about a proposed introduction.
Where the Rishta process requires confirmation before an introduction proceeds, the relevant parties will be given an opportunity to indicate whether they wish to proceed.
Agreeing to consider a potential match does not oblige either person to pursue a relationship or continue communicating after an introduction.
Either person may decide not to proceed.
Fees and Payment
Rishta operates on a pay-per-introduction model rather than requiring an upfront membership fee merely to submit a registration.
Where a fee applies to an introduction, the applicable fee and relevant payment instructions will be communicated to you before the paid introduction proceeds.
You will be given an opportunity to accept the applicable charge before becoming liable for it.
Fees may vary and no particular fee should be assumed unless it has been communicated and accepted in connection with the relevant service or introduction.
Payment arrangements may be communicated separately by Rishta.
Rishta does not represent through these Terms that any particular payment gateway or payment method will always be available.
Cancellations and Refunds
The nature of a matchmaking introduction means that a service may be regarded as having been performed once the agreed introduction has been facilitated or the relevant information has been provided.
Subject always to rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable South African consumer law, a fee for an introduction that has already been properly facilitated may ordinarily be non-refundable.
Where a paid service has not yet been performed, any request to cancel will be considered in accordance with the circumstances and applicable law.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, restrict or waive any consumer right that cannot legally be excluded or waived.
Questions concerning a payment, cancellation or refund may be sent to info@rishta.co.za.
Personal Safety
Rishta facilitates introductions but cannot control the conduct of individuals after an introduction.
You are responsible for deciding whether, when and how to communicate with or meet another person.
You should take reasonable personal-safety precautions when communicating with or meeting someone for the first time.
For example, you should exercise appropriate judgment regarding:
sharing additional personal information;
financial information or requests for money;
private or intimate photographs;
meeting arrangements;
transportation;
meeting in an appropriate public place; and
informing someone you trust of your plans where appropriate.
You should not send money or provide financial assistance to another person merely because you were introduced through Rishta.
If another person behaves in a threatening, fraudulent, abusive or otherwise concerning manner, you should discontinue contact where appropriate and notify Rishta.
Where there is an immediate threat to personal safety, contact the appropriate emergency or law-enforcement service.
User Conduct
You may not use Rishta:
for fraud or deception;
to impersonate another person;
to harass, threaten or abuse another person;
to obtain personal information for an unrelated commercial or improper purpose;
to distribute another person’s private profile information without permission or lawful authority;
to solicit money or financial assistance improperly;
to distribute unlawful, defamatory, threatening or abusive material;
to interfere with the security or operation of the Website;
to introduce malware or malicious code;
to attempt unauthorised access to Rishta systems or data; or
for any purpose prohibited by South African law.
Rishta may refuse or discontinue service where we reasonably believe these Terms have been breached or where continued participation creates an unreasonable risk to Rishta or another person.
Removal or Withdrawal of a Profile
You may contact Rishta if you no longer wish your profile to be considered for matchmaking.
Requests should be sent to:
info@rishta.co.za
Stopping active matchmaking does not necessarily require the immediate deletion of every record associated with your registration.
Certain information may continue to be retained where reasonably required for legal, regulatory, accounting, security, evidentiary, dispute-resolution or other lawful purposes, as described in our Privacy Policy.
Privacy and Personal Information
Use of Rishta involves the processing of personal information.
Niche Dating processes personal information in accordance with the Rishta Privacy Policy and applicable South African law, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”).
The Privacy Policy explains the categories of information collected, how information is used and protected, the use of service providers and cookies, retention practices and your privacy rights.
The Privacy Policy is available on the Website.
Third-Party Services
Rishta may use third-party technology and service providers to operate and secure the Website and provide the matchmaking service.
The Website may also contain links to external websites or services.
Niche Dating does not control independent third-party websites and is not responsible for their content, availability, security or privacy practices.
Use of an independent third-party service may be subject to that provider’s own terms and policies.
Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise indicated, the Website and its original content, branding, text, graphics, layout, design, software and other materials are owned by or licensed to Niche Dating and are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.
You are granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive and non-transferable right to access and use the Website for lawful personal purposes connected with the Rishta service.
You may not, without appropriate permission:
reproduce substantial parts of the Website for commercial purposes;
commercially exploit Rishta content;
copy or scrape private profile information;
use Rishta branding in a manner suggesting an unauthorised association;
reverse engineer or interfere with Website functionality where prohibited by law; or
use content in a manner that infringes intellectual-property or other rights.
Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of Niche Dating’s intellectual property to you.
Availability of the Website
We aim to keep Rishta reasonably available and secure, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access.
The Website may occasionally be unavailable because of maintenance, technical problems, security measures, hosting interruptions or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
We may modify, improve, suspend or discontinue Website functionality where reasonably necessary.
No Professional or Relationship Advice
Information provided by Rishta is intended to support the matchmaking service and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, psychological or other professional advice.
Any observations concerning potential compatibility are inherently subjective and should not be treated as professional advice or a guarantee of compatibility.
You remain responsible for your own decisions concerning another person and any relationship arising from an introduction.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable South African law, Niche Dating does not guarantee the accuracy of information supplied by another individual, the conduct of another individual, compatibility between individuals or the outcome of an introduction.
Rishta is a facilitation and matchmaking service. Individuals remain responsible for their own communications, meetings, decisions and conduct.
To the extent permitted by law, Niche Dating will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss arising solely from the use of the Website or an introduction.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude rights or remedies available to a consumer under applicable South African law where those rights cannot legally be excluded.
Indemnity
To the extent permitted by law, you agree to be responsible for loss or damage reasonably arising from your unlawful use of Rishta, your material breach of these Terms, or your infringement of another person’s rights.
This provision does not require you to indemnify Niche Dating for liability that cannot lawfully be transferred to you.
Complaints and Disputes
If you have a complaint concerning Rishta, an introduction, payment or the service, please contact:
info@rishta.co.za
We will endeavour to consider legitimate complaints reasonably and in accordance with applicable law.
Nothing in this section prevents you from exercising any statutory remedy or approaching a competent regulator, ombud, tribunal or court where you are legally entitled to do so.
Changes to These Terms
Niche Dating may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to the Rishta service, applicable law or our business practices.
The current effective date will be displayed on this page.
Where a change is material and applicable law requires additional notice, acceptance or consent, we will take reasonable steps to provide it.
Changes do not retrospectively alter an agreed fee or completed introduction merely because the Website Terms are subsequently updated.
Governing Law
These Terms and your use of Rishta are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any dispute will be dealt with by a court, tribunal, ombud or other forum having jurisdiction under applicable South African law.
Nothing in these Terms is intended to deprive a consumer of a right to approach a forum or court available to them under applicable law.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found by a competent court or other authority to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be interpreted or limited to the extent reasonably necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any specific fee or service terms expressly communicated and accepted in connection with an introduction, constitute the applicable agreement concerning your use of Rishta.
Where specific terms for a particular paid service have been expressly communicated and accepted, those specific terms will apply to that service together with these Terms.
Contact Details
For enquiries concerning these Terms or the Rishta service, please contact:
Niche Dating
Email: info@rishta.co.za