Legal
Privacy Policy
Pattern and Perspective ("the site," "we," "I") is run by Sibongile Borokini. This policy explains what personal information is collected through this site, how it's used, and the choices available to you.
Information we collect
We collect personal information in the following ways:
- Newsletter subscription: if you subscribe using the "Stay Connected" form, we collect your name and email address through our email provider, HubSpot, so we can send you updates about new essays, thoughts, and site news.
- Comments: if you leave a comment on an essay or post, this is handled by our comments provider, Disqus, which may collect your name, email address, and other information depending on how you choose to comment (for example, if you sign in via a linked account). Disqus's own privacy policy governs that information.
- Analytics: we use Google Analytics (via Google Tag Manager) to understand how visitors use the site — for example, which pages are viewed and roughly where visitors are located. This is collected anonymously in aggregate and is not linked to your name or email address.
- Direct contact: if you contact us by email, we receive your email address and whatever information you choose to include in your message.
Cookies and tracking
This site uses cookies placed by Google Analytics (via Google Tag Manager) to understand site traffic, and may use cookies placed by Disqus when the comments section loads. These are not used to identify you personally. Under POPIA, non-essential cookies like these require your consent — by continuing to use the site, you consent to this use; if you'd prefer not to be tracked, you can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features (like comments) may not work as intended.
Parent Perspectives
Parent Perspectives features reflections submitted directly by adult parents and caregivers about their own experience of parenting. Since contributors are adults sharing their own experience, no separate parental consent is required — but each entry is still published using a pseudonym and a broad location only, so responses stay private from the contributor's own children, family, and community. A contributor can request that their entry be removed at any time by contacting khensimaluleke6@gmail.com.
Little Perspectives, Teen Perspectives, and children's content
Little Perspectives (ages 7–10) and Teen Perspectives (ages 11–18) feature writing by children and teens. Under POPIA, anyone under 18 is legally a "child," and their personal information may only be processed with the prior consent of a "competent person" — a parent or legal guardian. In line with this, we do not publish any child's or teen's work without that consent obtained in advance.
Each piece is published using a pseudonym, an age, and a broad location only (for example, "Superman, 8 years old, Pretoria, South Africa") — never a real name, school, or exact address. A parent or guardian can request that a piece be removed at any time by contacting khensimaluleke6@gmail.com.
Third-party links
Pages on this site — including the Books section — may link to third-party sites (for example, where a book can be purchased). We aren't responsible for the privacy practices of those external sites once you leave Pattern and Perspective.
Your rights
Under South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the right to know what personal information is held about you, to request corrections, and to request deletion. To make a request, contact khensimaluleke6@gmail.com.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be sent to khensimaluleke6@gmail.com.