Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions govern the use of the MTN Newsstand subscription service and related features (“the Subscription Service”).

The terms of this agreement (“Terms and Conditions”) govern the relationship between you, the billing service provider (MTN SA (Pty) Ltd and their respective affiliates) (“the Billing Partner”) and Thumbtribe Trading (Pty) Ltd (“Thumbtribe”) (and its respective affiliates) (collectively hereinafter “MTN Newsstand” or “Us” or “We”) regarding your use of the Subscription Service.

Thumbtribe has agreements with a variety of publishers and distributors (“Content Providers”) to provide the content defined in clause 1 below.

1. Description of the Subscription Service
   1. Subscribers will be provided with unlimited access to the following content which can be accessed via a web reader on a smartphone, tablet or PC:
      1. A catalogue of magazines from local and international content providers.
      2. A catalogue of daily and weekly newspapers.
   2. A subscription fee of R3 per day (where the subscriber has selected the daily billing option) or R10 per week (where the subscriber has selected the weekly billing option) or R20 per month (where the subscriber has selected the monthly billing option) is payable on a recurring basis for this Subscription Service.
   3. The subscriber opts in by visiting http://newsstand.mtn.co.za or dialing *686*6368# (Daily Subscription) or *686*8123# (Weekly Subscription) or *686*9763# (Monthly Subscription)
   4. The Subscription Service is offered on a promotional basis and may be withdrawn from the market or changed at any time and at the Billing Partner/ Thumbtribe’s discretion.
   5. The subscriber may cancel this service at any time without contractual penalty. If the subscriber does not cancel the service, it will endure on a daily basis until cancellation is received by the Billing Partner / Thumbtribe.
2. MTN Newsstand Free Trial
   1. From time to time, MTN Newsstand may offer a trial without payment or at a reduced rate (a "Free Trial"). The Free Trial offer and trial period will be specifically stated on sign up and the trial period will commence from the moment that the trial period is activated. After the trial period, regular pricing for the subscription will be charged - see Payment and Terms.
   2. By activating the Free Trial you agree that we may automatically begin charging you for the paid subscription on the first day following the end of the trial period on a recurring basis.
   3. Should a subscriber not want to become a paying user of the MTN Newsstand service upon the lapse of the Free Trial period, they will have to terminate the service before the end of the Free Trial period by dialling *123#. Instructions for this can be found under clause 6. How to stop the recurring subscription.
   4. MTN Newsstand reserves the right to remove or cancel the Free Trial offer at any time.
   5. MTN Newsstand reserves the right to change the features of the Free Trial offer at any time.
3. MTN Newsstand Content
   1. MTN Newsstand content is provided by a variety of local and international publishers. The publications made available may be amended from time to time.
   2. A limited back issue catalogue will also be made available to subscribers.
   3. A working internet connection is required in order to consume content via the web reader. The subscriber should ensure they have sufficient data to read online.
4. Duration and Termination
   1. The Subscription Service will endure on a day-to-day basis from the start date, 21 June 2021, until the Billing Partner / Thumbtribe in its sole and absolute discretion elects to discontinue the promotion. The subscriber may cancel at any time during this term, without penalty. The subscriber is responsible for ensuring that cancellation of the service is actioned in accordance with clause 6.1. Below.
   2. Should the subscriber incorrectly complete the cancellation process, the Billing Partner and Thumbtribe will not be liable for any additional costs or compensation due to the error.
   3. The subscriber acknowledges that the Billing Partner / Thumbtribe may terminate this agreement by written notice, including email, and without liability in the event of the termination of its agreement with a Content Provider or an upstream licensee relevant to the provision of any connectivity service.
5. Payment and Terms
   1. Where the subscriber has selected the daily billing option, a subscription fee of R3 per day will be deducted in full from the subscriber’s airtime balance on a daily basis from the date that the subscriber subscribes to the MTN Newsstand subscription service.
   2. Where the subscriber has selected the weekly billing option, a subscription fee of R10 per week will be deducted in full from the subscriber’s airtime balance on a weekly basis from the date that the subscriber subscribes to the MTN Newsstand subscription service.
   3. Where the subscriber has selected the monthly billing option, a subscription fee of R20 per month will be deducted in full from the subscriber’s airtime balance on a monthly basis from the date that the subscriber subscribes to the MTN Newsstand subscription service.
6. How to Stop the Recurring Subscription
   1. To cancel the service the subscriber should: dial *123#, reply 1 to Manage Subscriptions then reply 1 to View or cancel subscriptions, then follow the prompts on screen to select and cancel the MTN Newsstand subscription. The subscriber will receive an SMS notification confirming that the subscription has been successfully cancelled, or
   2. Login to the subscriber’s existing Newsstand account https://newsstand.mtn.co.za/signin and use the menu links to navigate to the My Account page. Click the Unsubscribe button to cancel.
7. Customer Support
   1. For MTN billing queries, dial 135 (free from your MTN SIM).
   2. For any other queries related to the MTN Newsstand Subscription Service, dial 135 (free from your MTN SIM) or email subs@thumbtribe.biz.
8. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability
   1. Thumbtribe is a member of WASPA and is bound by the WASPA Code of Conduct. Customers have the right to approach WASPA to lodge a complaint in accordance with the WASPA complaints procedure. Thumbtribe may be required to share information relating to a service or a customer with WASPA for the purpose of resolving a complaint. WASPA website: www.waspa.org.za
   2. Newsstand is a subscription service charged at R3/day or R10/week or R20/month. By using the service you agree that you are 18 years or older and have the bill payers' permission. Compatible handsets only. To unsubscribe dial *123# (see clause 6. above). For help call 135 (see clause 7. above).
   3. By using the service you agree to receive daily news alerts and promotional material relating to this and similar services. To opt out, visit the My Account page and update your communication preferences.
   4. Service provided by Billing Partner and Thumbtribe, 4 Umvumvu Drive, Simbithi, Ballito 4390.
   5. This service must not be used:
      1. to intentionally engage in illegal conduct,
      2. to knowingly create, store or disseminate any illegal content,
      3. to knowingly infringe copyright,
      4. to knowingly infringe any intellectual property rights, or
      5. to send spam or promote the sending of spam
   6. We have the right to suspend or terminate the services of any customer who does not comply with these terms and conditions or any other related contractual obligations, and we have the right to take down any content (hosted as part of the service) that it considers illegal or for which it has received a take-down notice.
   7. Thumbtribe and Billing Partner accept no liability for any loss or damage to the property or equipment of the subscriber arising out of the provision of the product.
   8. Application for, use of and subscription of the product are at the sole risk of the subscriber or applicant.
   9. The subscriber is solely responsible for all actions authenticated by credentials associated with their account(s).
   10. Thumbtribe and Billing Partner accept no liability for any loss or damage suffered by subscribers as a result of unauthorised use of the subscriber’s credentials.
9. Protection of Personal Information and Direct Marketing
   1. MTN and Thumbtribe are committed to protecting the subscriber’s privacy and ensuring that their personal information is protected in accordance with data protection legislation and regulation in South Africa, including but not limited to the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Without limiting the generality of this commitment, these parties will:
      1. Only collect personal information as is necessary to provide the Newsstand Service, including offering other products and services that may be of interest.
      2. Only process collected personal information for this purpose.
      3. Only transfer personal information where required for the provision of the Service and only then where an agreement is in place with the transferee to ensure continued compliance with POPIA.
      4. Take industry standard measures to secure personal information in their possession.
      5. Delete personal information where it is no longer required.
      6. Otherwise only release personal information where under a legal obligation to do so.
   2. The subscriber consents to the processing of his or her personal information as outlined above.
   3. The subscriber shall familiarise himself or herself with the Customer Privacy and Notice available on the MTN Website.

1. Newsstand Airtime Competition Terms and Conditions
2. NOTE:
3. A. The following Terms and Conditions contain assumptions of risk and/or liability by Customers and limit and exclude liabilities, obligations and legal responsibilities which Mobile Telephone Networks Proprietary Limited (“MTN”) and Thumbtribe (Proprietary Limited (“Thumbtribe”) together referred to as (“the Parties”) will have towards Customers and other persons.
4. B. These Terms and Conditions also limit and exclude Customers rights and remedies against MTN and place various risks, liabilities, obligations and legal responsibilities on the Customer.
5. C. These Terms and Conditions may result in Customers being responsible for paying additional costs and amounts and MTN may also have claims and other rights against the Customer.
6. D. To the extent that the Terms and Conditions or any goods or services provided under the Terms and Conditions are governed by the Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (the "Consumer Protection Act"), no provision of the Terms are intended to contravene the applicable provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, and therefore all provisions of the Terms and Conditions must be treated as being qualified, to the extent necessary, to ensure that the applicable provisions of the Consumer Protection Act are complied with.
7. E. The Customer must read these Terms and Conditions. The use of this product/service will constitute as agreement to comply with these Terms and Conditions.
8. F. Please pay special attention to all the clauses. Please note that these Terms and Conditions must be read together with the standard MTN Internet product and service Terms and Conditions.
9. Introduction
   1. The Parties will offer customers who subscribe to the MTN Newsstand some exciting airtime prizes (“the Competition”) Newsstand is a service that offers the customer access to breaking news, sport and entertainment stories, hundreds of local and international magazines and newspapers across 24 Lifestyle categories; Business and Sport podcasts; Curated social content; SMS News Alerts .
10. Duration
    1. The Competition shall commence on 1 Jan 2023 and will end on 31 July 2023. No entries received after 23:59 on 31 July 2023 will be considered.
    2. The parties may, in their sole and absolute discretion, amend or withdraw the competition with notice to entrants. The entrant must visit for notices, updates and/or changes to the competition. Please visit https://newsstand.mtn.co.za/terms to view the terms and conditions.
11. Who may enter?
    1. The Competition is only open to people 18 years and older.
    2. be a South African citizen or be permanently resident in South Africa.
    3. The following people shall not be eligible to participate in this Competition:
       1. Directors, members, partners, promotional and advertising agents, merchandisers, employees or consultants of the Parties.
       2. People who are not legal residents and/or legal citizens of the Republic of South Africa.
       3. Spouse, life partner, parent, child, brother, sister, business partner or associate of any of the persons specified in clause 3.3.1. above.
    4. The Competition entrant must be a natural person.
12. How to enter
    1. Participants are required to subscribe to the MTN Newsstand product through the One Pin entry mechanism.
    2. The subscriber opts in by visiting http://newsstand.mtn.co.za or dialling *686*6368# (Daily Subscription) or *686*8123# (Weekly Subscription) or *686*9763# (Monthly Subscription). Participants are to dial *123# to unsubscribe.
    3. In order to win the participant must be an active subscriber for 5 consecutive days from date of subscribing and must be subscribed at the time of the draw.
    4. Winners will be determined by a pre-set algorithm in the Excel randomiser program. The number will be drawn after randomising 7 times.
    5. Thumbtribe will ensure that an independent auditor conducts and verifies the draw (s).
13. The Prize
    1. Participants in this competition stand a chance to win R60 in airtime.
    2. Ten prizes of R60 each will be drawn each month for the duration of the competition.
    3. Winners of the airtime prizes will receive SMS notification of the airtime they have won on the subscribed cellular phone number used to enter the competition.
    4. Airtime prizes may only be redeemed by Pre-paid and Top Up account holders only.
    5. Airtime is available for the MTN network only.
    6. The airtime voucher code maybe be automatically loaded on the prepaid cellular phone number used to enter into the competition or pinned airtime will be sent to the customer via SMS.
    7. All potential winners who entered this competition using a fixed/closed contract line or service provider not mentioned above do not qualify.
    8. Prizes are strictly MTN airtime prizes. No other prizes make up the prize pool (hereinafter referred to as the “Prizes” or “Prize” as the context may require).
14. General
    1. The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
    2. The prize is not transferable, and no substitution or cash redemption of the prize is permitted. The prize will not be handed/awarded to a third party, but only to the verified prize winner above.
    3. Entrants are only eligible to win 1 (one) Prize.
    4. The organisers of the Competition reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to substitute the prize with any other prize of comparable or greater commercial value for whatever reason.
    5. Participants may be required to take part in publicity campaigns for broadcast or publishing purposes. Participants shall at all times be entitled to decline the above request. Participants that take part in any publicity will not be entitled to any payment or other remuneration for such publicity or otherwise and consent to the use of their image and other relevant personal information for the purposes of publicity for MTN Newsstand. All publicity and other materials will be the sole property of the Parties.
    6. Nothing in these Rules is intended to, or must be understood to, unlawfully restrict, limit or avoid any rights or obligations, as the case may be, created for either the participant, the Parties and partnering agencies in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008 ("the CPA").
    7. All participants participate entirely at their own risk. By reading and accepting these Rules, each participant gives consent to these risks and hereby indemnify and hold the Parties, their directors, employees, agents and contractors of any and all liability pertaining to any damage, cost, injuries and losses of whatever nature sustained as a result of their participation in the Competition and related events and activities, save where such damage, cost, injuries and losses are sustained as a result of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of any of the Parties.
    8. The Parties, their directors, employees, contractors, agents and distributors accept no responsibility and they will not, in any circumstances, be liable to compensate the participants, or accept any liability for any inability by the participant to use the prize in part or at all.
    9. The Parties, their directors, employees, contractors, agents and distributors, are not responsible for any misrepresentation (whether written or verbal) in respect of any prize nor in respect of any warranties or undertakings given in writing by any person other than the Parties.
    10. The organisers of the Competition reserve the right to terminate or extend the Competition at any time. In the event of such termination or extension, all Participants agree to waive (give up) any rights that they may have in terms of the Competition and acknowledge that they will have no recourse against the Parties.
    11. Participants undertake to expeditiously do all things necessary to enable the Parties to comply with their obligations under the CPA (if applicable) including, but not limited to providing such personal information as may be required in order to facilitate handing over the prize to the participant. Should any participant refuse or be unable to comply with this requirement, the participant shall be deemed to have forfeited the prize.
    12. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these Rules, the organisers of the competition reserve the right to amend, modify, change, postpone suspend or cancel this Competition, the Rules and any prize (which has not yet been allocated), or any aspect thereof, on notice, for any reason which the Parties deem necessary.
    13. For further information or enquiries please email our consumer services on 135 for help.