Who we are
The Rural Development SA Trust (RDTSA) is a registered NPO serving as the fundraising and implementation arm for InvestRural®, a rural development initiative backed by the National House of Traditional Leaders.
All enquiries should be forwarded to:
Stevie Snyman
stevie@rdtsa.co.za
+27 63 283 0475
- The Rural Development SA Trust: Donations Policy
- The Rural Development SA Trust (the Trust) was established to assist in delivering sustainable social and economic development to Africa’s rural areas.
1.2. In order to achieve its objectives, the Fund:
1.2.1. Is incorporated as a non-profit company in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act of 2008, as amended;
1.2.2. Is approved as a Public Benefit Organisation (“PBO“) in terms of section 30 of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (“ITA“) and for the purposes of section 18A of the ITA; and
1.2.3. Conducts its affairs and operations in a manner that accords with the highest standards of corporate governance and promotes transparency and accountability.
1.3. The purpose of this policy document (“Donations’ Policy“) is to record (i) the terms on which persons (“Donors“) who wish to make any contribution, donation and gift (whether in the form of money/cash or the transfer of any asset in kind, including the proceeds thereof), or services to the Trust (each a “Donation“) may make such Donations and (ii) the principles, policies and guidelines to be applied by the Trust in assessing whether to accept Donations.
- Publication of Donations’ Policy and Donor Confirmations
2.1. Donations may be made to the Trust directly, alternatively through fundraising partners (“Fundraisers“) appointed by the Trust to receive and/or accept Donations on its behalf.
2.2. Donations may be made in cash via cashier systems, via existing payment systems, using electronic funds transfers, credit card transactions, mobile phone and tablet applications, cheques, bequests or otherwise (collectively, “Collection Networks“).
2.3. The Trust will post this Donations’ Policy on its platform and will request every Fundraiser who offers to use its Collection Network to receive Donations on behalf of the Trust, to alert potential Donors to this Donations’ Policy, whether by publishing a prominent link to the `Trust’s platform on its Network, or otherwise.
2.4. Each Donor, when making a Donation:
2.4.1. Is deemed to have familiarised himself/herself/itself with this Donations’ Policy;
2.4.2.Makes the Donation subject to the terms of this Donations’ Policy;
2.4.3.Undertakes and represents in favour of the Trust that his/her/its Donation is aligned in every respect with the terms and import of this Donations’ Policy;
2.4.4. Is entitled to apply to the Trust (electronically or manually or in any other manner) for a receipt to be issued in respect of the Donation made, in terms of section 18A of the ITA, subject to compliance by the Donor with the Trust’s requirements for the issue of such receipt; and
2.4.5. Acknowledges that, notwithstanding the Trust’s commitment to deal with the information in its possession (including the identities and other information of Donors) in a responsible manner, the identity of Donors may be published or become known to the public.
- Application of Donations by the Trust
3.1. The Trust will use every Donation it receives towards achieving the following objectives:
3.1.1. Poverty reduction by reducing the number of people living in poverty, enabling the delivery of adequate water, sanitation and electricity, ensuring food security for all households and achieving financial inclusion for rural people.
3.1.2. Enterprise and employment creation by creating an environment that supports economic activity, fosters entrepreneurship and enables businesses to grow and thrive.
3.1.3. Building strong and resilient communities through skills training and development through the Trust’s Rural Academy.
3.2. The Trust has been established for the benefit of all rural communities and the Trust is committed to ensuring that its operations and affairs do not encourage or amount to discrimination against any class or group of people within South Africa. The Trust will, however, always endeavour to ensure that rural communities are the core focus of its activities.
- Nature of Donations
4.1. Donations are voluntary or gratuitous transfers of money or property under which the Donor does not, and does not expect to, receive any benefit or advantage (whether directly or indirectly) or any other quid pro quo or anything in return.
4.2. Donations may consist of money or property in kind, or services.
4.3. All Donations are irrevocable at the instance of the Donor from the time at which the Fund receives that Donation in cash or in kind.
4.4. Unless specifically agreed with the Trust in writing before a Donation is made, a Donor may not attach any conditions to any Donation made.
- The Trust’s Right to Refuse, Return or Delay Receipt of Donations
5.1. The Trust may refuse, return or delay receipt of any Donation, if, in the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion and based on information available to it, the Trust believes that such Donation:
5.1.1. May not comply with or may undermine the provisions, spirit and/or import of this Donations’ Policy or the objectives of the Trust;
5.1.2. May be contrary to the objectives of the Trust or any of the provisions of the Trust’s memorandum of incorporation, as amended from time to time;
5.1.3. May encourage or promote discrimination on unfair grounds;
5.1.4. May have been offered with any illegal or unethical proposal that compromises or is likely to compromise the objectives of the Trust or may otherwise have been made in an unethical and non-transparent manner;
5.1.5. May have been offered by any person who conceals or disguises the illicit origin of the Donation, or who ought to have known that the source of funds of such Donation is the result of illegal or illicit activities; or
5.1.6. May be related to or associated or connected with the commission, performance or carrying out of terrorist and related activities, as defined in the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act 33 of 2004.
5.1.7. May have been offered in exchange for any gratification, as defined in the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, whether for the benefit of that person or someone else;
5.1.8. May have been offered to facilitate a corrupt act, which, among other things, amounts to the abuse of a position of authority; a breach of trust; or the violation of a legal duty or set of rules;
5.1.9. Has been offered or made in exchange for any direct or third-party benefit, whether as part of the Trust’s objectives or not, or to obtain any business or other advantage from the Fund or its partners or stakeholders;
5.1.10. Cannot be used to meaningfully advance the objectives of the Trust;
5.1.11. Has otherwise been offered or made subject to any conditions to which the Trust has not agreed in writing.
5.2. The Trust may refuse, return or delay receipt of any Donation from a Donor, if:
5.2.1. It fails or is unable to verify the identity of the Donor and/or the source of funds of the Donation to its satisfaction; or
5.2.2. The Donor fails or refuses to provide the Trust with any additional information which is requested from the Donor; or
5.2.3. In the exercise of its sole and absolute discretion and based on information available to the Trust, the Donor and/or the Donation itself, may:
5.2.3.1. Support or promote any criminal or illicit activity of whatsoever nature including corruption, money laundering or terrorism financing operations; and/or
5.2.3.2. Support or promote discrimination on any unfair grounds.