Publication Date: 7 November 2025
1. Interpretation
1.1 In these Terms and Conditions, unless inconsistent with or otherwise indicated by the context –
1.1.1 “Associate Member” means a sales agent who completes the Associate Membership Application Form and is accepted as an associate member by SAFI and thus, is entitled to make use of the Services on payment of the Membership Fee;
1.1.2 “Associate Membership Application Form” means the membership application form accessible on the Website from time to time, for the purpose of applying to become an associate member of SAFI, which membership application is subject to acceptance by SAFI;
1.1.3 “Business Day” means any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or a public holiday;
1.1.4 “Catalogue” means the catalogue of Products published on the Website through which consumers can directly purchase Products from various manufacturers (who are SAFI members) by assistance from a sales agent (who is an Associate Member);
1.1.5 “Membership Fee” means the fees payable by an Associate Member in exchange for the Services;
1.1.6 “Products” means the furniture products advertised on the Website from time to time;
1.1.7 “SAFI” means South African Furniture Initiative NPC, registration number 2009/003078/08, a non-profit company duly incorporated in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa;
1.1.8 “Services” means the services offered by SAFI to Associate Members through the Website which includes access to manufacturer’s products included in the Catalogue, a members bulletin with news and industry relevant updates and a tender bulletin which includes a list of all industry specific tenders, an export market finder and an employment portal whereby candidates seeking employment are listed;
1.1.9 “Terms and Conditions” means the associate membership terms and conditions contained herein, as amended from time to time; and
1.1.10 “Website” means the Website owned and maintained by SAFI, or through which SAFI makes information relating to its Services available to Associate Members and publishes the Catalogue, including but not limited to the website located at the domain name https://www.southafricanfurnitureinitiative.co.za/.
1.2 The rule of construction that the contract shall be interpreted against the Party responsible for the drafting or preparation of these Terms and Conditions shall not apply.
1.3 These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
1.4 Expressions defined in these Terms and Conditions shall bear the same meanings in any annexure hereto which does not contain its own definitions.
2. Introduction
2.1 This document sets out the Terms and Conditions for being an Associate Member of SAFI.
2.2 These Terms and Conditions are to be read in conjunction with the SAFI privacy policy and website terms and conditions published on the Website.
3. Membership
3.1 In order to become an Associate Member, the relevant person or entity must complete the Associate Membership Application Form and submit same to SAFI.
3.2 SAFI reserves the right to verify the sales activity or intent of applicants prior to approving their associate membership application.
3.3 Once SAFI has confirmed in writing that it has accepted the associate membership application, the Associate Member shall be entitled to access the Services, which may include −
3.3.1 access to SAFI’s member area and knowledge hub which posts industry resources;
3.3.2 export information, tender notices, a listing of candidates seeking employment and business directory listings in South Africa; and
3.4 SAFI reserves the right to modify, amend, add or remove certain Services from time to time, without notice to Associate Members.
4. Associate Membership Fees
4.1 The Membership Fees payable will be updated from time to time.
4.2 Membership Fees shall be payable in cash, without set-off or deduction, and free of all bank charges by way of electronic funds transfer to SAFI’s nominated bank account.
4.3 Membership Fees shall be paid by the Associate Member either monthly or annually (at the election of the Associate Member as stipulated in the Associate Membership Application Form) in advance, against receipt of an invoice from SAFI.
4.4 The Associate Member agrees that in the event that any payment to SAFI is late or overdue the outstanding amount shall bear interest at the prevailing prime rate (as published by the South African Reserve Bank from time to time) plus 2%.
5. Suspension and Termination of Associate Membership
5.1 The Services are provided on a subscription basis. Subscriptions will continue, and be billed periodically, until cancelled. An Associate Member may cancel its subscription and accordingly terminate its membership at any time with 30 days’ notice, on the Website.
5.2 SAFI shall be entitled to terminate the Services in respect of any Associate Member at any time on 10 Business Days’ notice to the Associate Member.
5.3 Associate Membership fees are not refundable on termination of the Associate Membership by either SAFI or the Associate Member.
5.4 The Associate Member shall not be entitled to a refund of the Membership Fees or any portion thereof once same already has been paid for the relevant period.
5.5 SAFI may suspend or terminate an Associate Member’s membership (or restrict access to the Services) if the Associate Member:
5.5.1 fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions;
5.5.2 engages in conduct harmful to SAFI, the furniture industry, members, or other Associate Members;
5.5.3 provides false or misleading information in the Associate Membership Application Form; and
5.5.4 fails to pay the Membership Fees.
6. Associate Member Warranties and Undertakings
6.1 The Associate Member warrants and/or undertakes to SAFI, that –
6.1.1 all the information provided by it in completing the Associate Membership Application Form is true and correct, and will be relied on by SAFI on the assumption of the correctness thereof;
6.1.2 it will regularly familiarise itself with and abide by these Terms and Conditions and the Website terms and conditions and privacy policy, which rules are capable of changing from time to time;
6.1.3 it is an active furniture sales professional or has a clear intent to enter the furniture sales industry;
6.1.4 it will abide by all applicable laws, regulations, and rules of the relevant Furniture Bargaining Council;
6.1.5 it will conduct itself in a manner consistent with SAFI’s values, ethical standards, and policies, including but not limited to promoting sustainability, transformation, inclusiveness, and good governance in the furniture industry; and
6.1.6 it shall promptly inform SAFI of any change in its legal status, contact details, or any material changes affecting its eligibility.
7. Limitation of Liability
7.1 SAFI shall under no circumstances be liable for its Associate Members operations and consumers are to address concerns with the relevant Associate Member directly.
7.2 The Associate Member agrees and acknowledges that SAFI, its directors, representatives, employees, agents, and assigns will not be liable for and are indemnified by the Associate Member for any loss, damages, or theft suffered or incurred to person or property (whether direct, indirect or consequential) as a result of death, injury or illness of whatever nature, or any other cause whatsoever, however arising and whether caused as a result of the use of the Services supplied by SAFI or any negligent act or omission of SAFI, its directors, representatives, employees and assigns and accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss (whether direct, indirect or consequential) arising from information provided in these Terms and Conditions or any actions arising therefrom.
8. Confidentiality and Data Protection
8.1 The Associate Member may have access to confidential or proprietary information of SAFI by virtue of its membership. The Associate Member shall keep such information confidential and not disclose it to third parties except with SAFI’s consent or as required by law.
8.2 SAFI will process Associate Members’ personal information in accordance with its privacy policy as published on the Website.
9. Acceptance and Changes to Terms
9.1 SAFI may modify these Terms and Conditions from time to time by posting updated versions thereof to the Website.
9.2 By submitting an Associate Membership Application Form, the Associate Member agrees to these Terms and Conditions, the Website terms and conditions and privacy policy and all related policies as amended from time to time.