SA Hunters’ NBCF and annual Congress were held on 1 and 2 November. At the opening of the NBCG, Rev. Zet Roberts passionately prayed for rain. Rev. Fanie Willers did the same during the Congress dinner on Friday evening. To everyone’s relief, a proper Highveld thunderstorm hit Pretoria at 21:00 with soft rain falling throughout the night. We are deeply grateful for this rain and for rain that fell in other parts of the country.
This newsletter is a few days late because I needed time to report back on the Congress and other subsequent events. The next newsletter will go out shortly before we close the offices in December.
NBCF and Congress 2019
Die NBCF started at 07:00 on Friday 1 November 2019. It was a good meeting. The Congress dinner in the evening was attended by 450 guests comprising branch delegates and guests. Several achievement awards were made. Awards on Google Photos.
Thanks to Fitch and Leedes for sponsoring the Gin Bar as pre-dinner cocktails.
The Congress started at 06:00 on 2 November 2019 with an early breakfast, followed by a successful Annual General Meeting at 07:00. See more on Goolge Photos.
Important matters included the approval of SA Hunters’ audited financial statements, amendments to the constitution and Internal Rules, and the election of two board members.
Congratulations to Danie de Villiers for being re-elected as Vice President Training and to Danie Momberg who was elected Vice President Hunting Affairs. Thank you for making yourselves available to SA Hunters and its members.
Rifles
The lucky winners of the two custom-built rifles by Ralph Badenhorst are Dr A Jacobsz (061939) from the Pretoria East Branch that won the 9,3 X 62; and Mrs. Elize Barnett (082496) secretary of the Rietbok Branch who won the 7 X 57. Elize attended the Congress dinner as a representative and was very surprised when the announcement was made. Dr Jacobsz was equally surprised.
We thank all members that participated. Thank you to Ralph Badenhorst Gunsmith Services for manufacturing these two outstanding rifles. The quality and craftmanship are outstanding.
Memorial book
At the Congress dinner Herman Jonker, editor of the book, gave an interesting talk about the significance of recording the history of SA Hunters.
The book, which should be available early in 2020, includes interesting facts, stories and photographs from our hunting history. It deserves a place on every member’s coffee table.
The book is in A4 format and available in two versions: one with an ordinary cover at R300 per copy, and a luxury version bound in buffalo leather at R1000 a copy of which only 100 copies will be available. Members that want the luxury version should order soon to avoid disappointment. A sample of the book can be viewed here and here.
To order your copy:
- Transfer the correct amount (R 300 for the ordinary version or R 1 000 for leather bound version) in SA Hunters’ bank account at Absa, account number 01443990077.
- Use your member number and Book as reference. Check that you enter your member number correctly to ensure that we can process your order.
Conservation
At the recent meeting of the IUCN Board, SA Hunters was accepted as a full member of this international conservation body.
Foot and Mouth disease broke out on a farm in the Dendron area near Molemole, which is quite far outside the normal distribution area. Members that consider hunting in the area, should keep in mind that restriction will apply on the transport of any meat.
Hunting Affairs
Danie Serfontein and Albert Basson were the first members to book and pay for the chance to hunt a buffalo cow each. They were both successful, and Danie even had the opportunity to hunt a hippo.
The winner of the Tiger fishing competition, Stoffel Cronjé and his team, also enjoyed a wonderful adventure. The weather conditions were hot, but they managed to catch a few tiger fish.
We hope to obtain similar opportunities for members in 2020.
Shooting Affairs
The big news of the year is that SA Hunters presented the International Gallery Rifle Federation World Championship at the Excalibur shooting range near Welkom from 28 to 31 October 2019, and won most of the medals. A report of the event by André van Heerden, VP Shooting Affairs, is available here.
Congratulations to all the shottists for their outstanding performance. The Limited Bolt Action National Team took the first and second places in the individual competition. Congratulations to Bertus Bekker and Herman Nieuwoudt. Alewyn Conradie achieved the third place, even though he did not make the national team.
In the IGRF small calibre individual class, Nico Roets, Flippie van Tonder and Deon de Villiers won the first, second and third places respectively. Well done to these three shottitsts for their excellent performance.
South Africa won the IGRF Small Calibre Team event. Congratulations to Riaan Kunneke, Annemarie van Tonder, Flippie van Tonder, Nico Roets and Hercules Louw.
Nico Roets won the IGRF Centre-fire Open Class. Well done Nico!.
The SA team also won the IGRF Centre-fire Standard Class. Congratulations to Gerrie de Beer, Hein Strauss, Hercules Louw, Flippie van Tonder and Deon de Villiers.
Branch accomplishments
We added a new section to the SA Hunters website, titled Taksuksesse/Branch Accomplishments, where we feature branch success stories. Branches can send information and suggestions for inclusion to André van der Merwe by andrevdm@sahunt.co.za
Visit here to see four feature articles that are well worth reading.
Special product discount to members of SA Hunters
Humansdorp Koöperasie and SA Hunters reached an agreement that offers 5% discount on hunting and shooting products from 1 November. Other specials will also be available occasionally. Please note that only fully paid-up members of SA Hunters qualify for the discount.
Humansdorp Koöperasie offers a special opening offer of 10% discount on Zastava rifles.
More information is available under Commercial Affairs.
Hand deliver of SA Hunter magazine
Members are reminded that they can choose to have their copies of the SA Hunter magazine delivered at their residential address. This method is more reliable than the postal service. Please check that your residential address is correct on the member administration system and send an e-mail to admin@sahunt.co.za
Anyone that experiences problems with the hand delivery service, can report it to admin@sahunt.co.za and explain the problem.
SA Hunters celebrates 70 years
We already told members about the various projects to celebrate SA Hunters’ 70th birthday
Jewellery
There are still a few jewellery items left in the range designed and manufactured by Maryna de Klerk of M2 Jewellers. Photographs of the items are available here.
Each item is numbered and has a price tag. These are individual pieces with limited identical items. Anyone interested in purchasing jewellery items that feature ivory from the Nico van Rooyen collection, can phone Realda Goosen at (012) 808 9300. Please quote the number of the item you are interested in purchasing. All sales are concluded on the first order and payment received.
Knives
There is a lively interest in the limited series of 500 knives with ivory inlays at R1000 each. These Buck pocket-knives also feature the SA Hunters logo.
Make an EFT of R1 000 in SA Hunters bank account at ABSA, account number 01443990077. Use your member number and Knipmes as reference. Send proof of payment together with your member number and contact details to Realda Goosen at realda@sahunt.co.za She will contact you.
Membership
The membership of SA Hunters is stable at 42 233 for fully paid up members on 11 November 2019, after blocking members that failed to pay their fees.
Recruit members for commission
The Board agreed that a member or a branch that recruits ten or more members per year, can earn commission of between R100 to R150 per member. More information is available here.
The Board also decided to appoint agents to recruit new members for the Association. If you are aware of anyone that is not a member of SA Hunters and that travels regularly, and that might be interested in recruiting members, ask them to send their contact details, residential address, the areas in which they travel, and the opportunities that they might have to recruit members for commission, to fredc@sahunt.co.za
So far, there has been very little interest in this process.
Dedicated status compliance
There is a last chance for members with dedicated status (hunting and sport shooting) to add information about activities on the online member administration system in order to retain their dedicated status. This can affect your right to own more firearms.
Among the 16 884 dedicated hunters, 3 150 have yet to register sufficient activities to retain their status.
2 058 out of 11 430 dedicated sport shooters must still register activities to retain their status.
Ivory project
The Doctari ivory knife project is back on track after we fell behind with orders and deliveries. This project entails the production of knives with ivory handles from the Nico van Rooyen ivory stock. Only 150 knives will be made. Place your order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 64 knives have already been ordered.
Transfer R5 500 in the bank account of SA Hunters at Absa, account number 01443990077; branch code 632005. Use Knife and your mobile number as reference. Please send the proof of payment to admin@sahunt.co.za
Expired firearm licences
The Minister of Police succeeded in his second attempt to obtain support from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police to announce an amnesty. This created confusion that an amnesty has indeed been announced. This is incorrect.
The Portfolio Committee merely supported the proposal for an amnesty and indicated the possible implementation date as from 1 December 2019 to the end of June 2020.
Before an amnesty can be implemented, the Minister must announce the terms and conditions and obtain approval thereof from the parliament. We doubt that this is feasible before 1 December 2019.
Our advice to members whose firearm licences expired, remains as follows: Keep your firearm locked away in your safe and don’t do anything further about it. We expect that an amnesty will be announced in 2020 only.
Meanwhile, ensure that your competency is valid and renew as required. Although the FCA and regulations say that competency is valid for the duration of that particular firearm licence, some DFOs insist that competency for Section 13 licences (self-defence) is only valid for 5 years, and ten years for Section 15 and 16 licences (hunting and sport shooting).
When in doubt about the validity of your competency, apply in time for renewal.
Photographic competition
The purpose of the photographic competition is to compile a portfolio of the best photographs received from members. We upload these on the website and use it in presentations, advertisements and special events such as the annual dinner.
The judges adjudicated the entries and announced the winner as Dr Willem Kok for his photograph of a frog resting on a water lily. He receives a new camera sponsored by Canon SA. View the best photographs here.
Commercial Affairs
The agreement with Humansdorp Koöperasie makes provision for members of SA Hunters to qualify for 5% discount on a range of hunting and shooting products. Click here for more information on available products.
In November, a special 10% discount applies to the purchase price of all Zastava rifles in.22 to 458 Win Mag calibres.
- Visit the following websites for more information:
- humkoop.co.za
- co.za
- co.za
- Place orders telephonically or with e-mail.
- You must be a paid-up member and provide your member number to enable Humansdorp Koöperasie to check your status.
- Place your orders with Eduan du Toit, Cheryl Coetzee or Riaan Vermaak at any of the following numbers ore –mail addresses:
- Telephone numbers
- (042) 2910431
- (042) 2951501
- Telephone numbers
- iii. (042) 2951082
- E-mail addresses
Your order will be dispatched as soon as the money has been received.
The following providers offer benefits and discounts to SA Hunters members.
- Humansdorp Koöperasie
- Toyota SA
- Westvaal Nelspruit
- Wildman Hunting and Outdoor
- Hokaai Slaghuis
- Die Wildshoekie Vleismark
- LAVA Vakuumverpakking
- Selftrack
- MAINSU Kragopwekkers
- Cens Digital Gehoorbeskerming
- Uitlaatstelle van De Graaf Autosentrum in Van der Hoffweg Pretoria
- Helle-messe
- Nitecore Flitse
- Fitch and Leedes
- Otterskloof
- Cassie Nienaber – Ladingontwikkeling en Herlaai
- Archers Rock Safaris
See here for more information.
HuntEx
HuntEx2020 will be held from 24 to 27 April 2020. Diarise this event and make sure you do not miss this opportunity.
SA Hunters office closes in December/January
SA Hunters is a registered employer and is legally obliged to allow staff to take leave. It has been standard practice for many years to close the national office between 16 December and 6 January.
Last year, the office was closed for a slightly longer period which caused unhappiness among some of our members.
Therefore, we inform members well in advance that the office will close on 11 December 2019 (not 13 December as previously announced) and reopen on 6 January 2020. Should you require any documents in December, please ask for it before that time
Kind regards
Fred Camphor
SA Hunters: CEO
