Terms & Conditions

our V&V Process

1. These terms and conditions relate to the “V&V” by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd.

2. For the purposes of these schemes:
a) “Applicant” means an individual, body corporate or body incorporate which has applied but has not yet been granted a certificate to the standard applied for.
b) “Board” means the Directors of RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd.
c) “Assessment Review Report” means the self-assessment form for a particular standard which must be completed by an applicant prior to certification.
d) “Assessor” means the suitably qualified person appointed by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd to review the application material.
e) “Certificate” means a certificate recognising that the Assessment Review Report or onsite assessment of the applicant’s systems, having been assessed by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd is in accordance with the relevant standard and these terms and conditions.
f) “Organisation” means an individual, body corporate or body incorporate which has applied or is awarded a certificate.
g) “Logo” means the insignia that is allowed to be displayed once a certificate has been issued.

3. The Board of RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd are the only body that holds authority by which certificates may be awarded. Certificates will only be issued where the Board is satisfied that the full criterion of the application and assessment process has been satisfactorily completed.

4. Once in receipt of all applicant information please allow for ten (10) working days for process completion and certificate issue.

5. Certificates will be issued for a period of 12 months.

6. An organisation that holds a certificate must:
a) Only use the certificate and logo in accordance with the standard(s) to which they have been verified and validated for and not use them in a misleading manner.
b) Decease utilising the certificate and logo should a current certificate not be issued by the Board.
c) Ensure that the organisation maintains its adherence to the requirements of the standard(s) that are covered by a certificate(s).
d) Pay all fees due for services supplied.
e) Respond to requests for information relating to the application process and its continuing maintenance.

7. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd shall undertake its duties in accordance with the services offered on its website and other informational material including assessment of documentation and the issue of certificates and communication in relation to this service.

8. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd shall be at liberty to improve its service’s and update its assessment material wherever required by the relevant standards and for the purposes of improvement.

9. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd shall not disclose any information concerning the applicant/organisation, which is of a confidential nature, other than information which is in the public domain.

10. In the event of a registered organisation or applicant wishing to appeal against any decision of the verification and validation process under these terms and conditions, it shall be within 10 clear working days after having been officially informed of such a decision, giving notice in writing to the Board of its desire to appeal against that decision. A meeting of the Board shall then determine its verification and validity in conjunction with the opinion of one or more relevant assessors. A decision by the Board is final.

11. These regulations may from time to time be altered by the Board.

12. A list of organisations holding “V&V” certification (including the relevant standard(s)) may upon authorisation of the applicant be listed by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd on the its website.

advisory & consulting

1. Standard Consultancy & Advisory Services

(a) RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd will provide the standard consultancy and advisory services to the client on, and subject to our standard terms and conditions of engagement. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd will not start providing the services until RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd has received written acceptance of the terms and conditions of engagement by an authorised representative of the client. By accepting the terms and conditions of engagement, the client also agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions to the exclusion of all other terms and conditions (including any terms or conditions which the client purports to apply under any purchase order, confirmation of order, specification, or other document). The terms and conditions of engagement, once signed and returned by the client, shall, together with these terms and conditions, form the contract between RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd and the client.

(b) In accepting the terms and conditions of engagement, the client authorises RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd to proceed with all relevant preparations for providing the services, including but not limited to the purchase of materials, etc.

(c) RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd shall provide the services using reasonable skill and care.

(d) In providing the services, RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd shall use its reasonable endeavours to give sound advice based on the information available, but the client will remain wholly responsible for determining matters of policy or action related to that advice.

(e) The client acknowledges and agrees that, in order for its personnel to derive benefits from the services, such personnel will be required to make such commitment as is appropriate to the services being provided.

(f)  The client understands and acknowledges that successful completion of any programs provided as part of the services requires participants to demonstrate an understanding of underlying principles, and competence in administration and feedback of the instrument(s) concerned.

(g)  Where any program requires work to be completed prior to attendance, we reserve the right to deny attendance at the scheduled program if the pre-work has not been completed

2. Virtual delivery of services

Where any element of the services is to be delivered virtually, the following terms and conditions shall apply:

(a) Only those participants registered for virtual Services shall be permitted to attend the session(s). 

(b) The registration instructions and log-in details for any virtual services are personal to each participant. They may not be used by anyone else, nor may they be transferred or supplied to any third party or organisation. 

(c) If any participant or anyone else attempts to make multiple use of the registration and log-in details supplied by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd or its personnel, by disclosing such details to others, the participant and its employing organisation will be liable for the number of people who subsequently attended the virtual services using the registration details. 

(d) Participants acknowledge that participation in virtual services requires the use of certain technologies. Participants will, at their own expense: (a) provide their own viewing venue, computer systems, internet service, and other technology, devices, and accommodations necessary to participate in the virtual session; (b) obtain any software necessary to participate in the virtual session, including, without limitation, their own Zoom video-conferencing capability and access (or other provider as specified by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd); and (c) comply with all reasonable additional technology requirements prescribed by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd in writing. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd accepts no responsibility or liability for any failure in the above technology requirements.

(e) RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd shall not be liable for any interruption to service or availability of internet connection or video-conferencing facility caused by equipment or technologies supplied, used or made available by the participant nor for participant’s inability to access any virtual session or content or functionality that forms part of the services, nor for any interruption to service or availability of internet connection or video-conferencing facility caused by factors not under the control of RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd. 

(f) In addition to the data protection and privacy terms of RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd, the following terms and conditions shall also apply:

• RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd, at its discretion, may monitor the registration and access to virtual sessions, including the number of computers and their IP addresses, to ensure that the registration and/or log-in details have not been distributed;
• RAG Strategists (Pty) ltd may record the virtual sessions provided that no participants shall be video recorded in such recordings;
• RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd may transfer personal data to third party video-conferencing software providers used to facilitate virtual delivery of sessions, as sub-processors for the purpose of performance of the virtual session. Participants should also note that such third-party video-conferencing software providers may use participants’ personal data as set forth in their privacy policies and users of such third-party systems should refer to those policies for additional details.

3. Terms of engagement and fees

(a) The terms of engagement will, unless otherwise stated, remain capable of acceptance by the client for a period of 30 days from the date thereof. The rates for fees and materials are subject to review from time to time, but RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd will give one month’s notice of its intention to change the charging basis for current and continuing projects.

(b) The fees set out in the terms of engagement are based on RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd’s understanding of the client’s requirements as set out in the terms of engagement. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd reserves the right to make additional charges for:

 – staff time spent in excess of those estimated in the terms of engagement as a result of any delays caused in delivery of the services due to any act or omission of the client; staff time spent travelling to and from the venue; staff time for planning or other meetings requested by the client in addition to those allowed for in the terms of engagement; any services or materials requested in writing by the client that RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd agrees in writing to provide and that are additional to those allowed for in the terms of engagement, which shall then become part of the services.

(c) RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd may also charge the client for reasonable expenses incurred by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd in the provision of the services including, where necessary:

– travel, accommodation, and subsistence (mileage to be charged at current rate per kilometre); all bought-in goods, services and sub-contracted items referred to in the terms of engagement as being necessary and charged for separately from the fees quoted in the terms of engagement.

(d) Value Added Tax, where applicable, will be payable by the client on all fees and expenses at the rate in force at the date of invoicing. All prices are quoted exclusive of Value Added Tax at present.

(e) RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd will issue invoices in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in the terms of engagement. Depending on the nature of the work, RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd may issue invoices at the end of each discrete piece of work or at the end of each month. If the client delays planned progress on provision of the services, RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd reserves the right to submit interim invoices. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd will also submit invoices in respect of any additional work carried out at that time.

(f) All invoices will be paid by the client within 10 days of date of invoice. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd reserves the right to charge the client interest and costs of recovery in accordance with the late payment of invoices.

(g) Where a refund is due to a client and such is caused at the fault of the client, RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd reserves the right to deduct any administrative bank/ credit card charges from such refund. Where the refund is necessitated at the fault of RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd, no such deductions shall be made.

Please note that the above terms and conditions are an extract from our full terms and conditions of service. Please request a full PDF copy from our virtual office.

transformation & training

The following terms and conditions of course enrolment relate to all short course applications for study with RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd. These terms and conditions must be read, understood, and accepted by the applicant or any person acting on their behalf (parent/guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age). 

The applicant acknowledges all information and supporting documents provided in the application is true and accurate. By signing the enrolment form or confirming the application, the applicant enters an agreement with RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd and accepts the following terms and conditions.

1. Payment of all course fees are payable in advance. The course fee includes all fees for registration, tuition and (where applicable) the formal assessment associated with the attainment of learning outcomes. It does not include materials required of you for your private study.

2. Where fees are charged by invoice, you or your sponsor in receipt of the invoice shall pay the invoice in full no later than 4 (four) weeks before the start of the course, or on receipt where the booking is made less than 4 (four) weeks prior to the course starting.

3. Cancellations – You may cancel your place on a course, and receive a full refund, providing you notify us in writing no later than 14 working days before the course start date. Cancellation requests should be sent in writing to: info@ragstrategists.co.za . If you wish to cancel or withdraw from the course after the course has started, you shall not be entitled to any refund of course fees paid and /or will still be liable for any outstanding fees to be paid. Please ensure that your sponsor, where applicable, is aware of this.

4. Booking transfer – You may transfer your booking up to 10 working days before the start of the course to the same course (if offered at a later date) or an alternative course of the same course fee with no administrative charge. Any difference in course fees will either be charged or refunded, as appropriate. Transfers to a course with a higher fee than the original (either a different course, or a future date where the course fee has been increased), will attract the higher fee.

5. Other Expenses – All delegates are responsible for their personal and travelling expenses. No financial assistance from RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd will be provided.

6. Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights – The copyright and other intellectual property rights in relation to course materials remain the sole and exclusive property of RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd. In attending the course, you agree that you will not copy or permit to be copied any of the course materials, nor disclose or permit the disclosure, sell or otherwise pass on those materials to others, unless agreed otherwise in writing with RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd. Any work prepared and submitted for assessment by delegates during their studies is assigned to and vested in RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd, except where specifically agreed otherwise in writing.

7. Cancellation – If you fail to pay your tuition fees or you breach any of the terms and conditions contained herein, RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd has the right to cancel your course. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd may cancel the course on the specified dates, if it unexpectedly is unable to provide the course of study for the dates specified (for example staff illness), or with 14 days prior written notice where it determines that the number of delegates is insufficient to justify running the course. In such circumstances, a full refund of any course fee will be provided in settlement of any claim. We reserve the right to make changes to the course such as changing location where the course will be delivered or changing tutors.

8. Data Protection – All personal information obtained by RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd both from yourself and other sources will be used to process your booking to manage your delegate record. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd will share the information internally as appropriate.

9. General – Our programme of courses is subject to continuing development and changed circumstances may necessitate cancellation or alteration to the programme of courses. We reserve the right to make variations if such action is considered necessary and, in such circumstances, will take all reasonable steps to minimise any resultant disruption. We do not accept any liability arising out of or on connection with any such changes. Unless otherwise specified all courses are taught in English.

10. Force Majeure – RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd, will not be liable for any delay in or failure to perform its obligations (other than payment of money) as a result of any cause beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to an Act of God, decree of Government, fire, flood, explosion, sabotage, riot, rebellion, war, civil war, armed conflict, terrorism, nuclear, chemical or biological contamination, disease, quarantine, official strike or similar official industrial action or dispute, unavailability of teaching personnel which directly causes a Party to be unable to comply with all or a material part of its obligations under these terms and conditions. If such delay or failure continues for at least sixty (60) days, either Party shall be entitled to terminate the agreement by notice in writing.

11. Limitation of Liability – RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd accepts no liability for loss or damage to your personal property and shall not provide any insurance in respect thereof.

12. Proper Law and Jurisdiction – In accepting a place on a course at RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd you are agreeing that the resulting contract between us shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of South Africa and you submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa.

13. All information published is correct at the time of printing. RAG Strategists (Pty) Ltd reserves the right to alter all terms and conditions, course prices and administration fees without notice.