Inyathi Park News October 2021

Once again, our monthly newsletter is later than usual, but it was intentional to include feedback on the Congress that was held on 6 November 2021 as a virtual event for the first time in the history of SA Hunters. Firstly, we report back on the Congress, followed by other business matters.

The Board

The five vacant positions on the Board of SA Hunters were filled through proper election during the Congress held 6 November. Congratulations to the following Board members and thank you for making yourselves available to serve SA Hunters.

Basie Bergh was elected unopposed as President. Photo

André van Heerden was elected unopposed as Deputy President. Photo

Kobus Maree was elected unopposed as VP Shooting Affairs. Photo

Richard Sowry was re-elected unopposed as VP Conservation.

Danie Momberg remains the elected VP Hunting Affairs. His term expires at the end of 2022.

No nominations were received for the position of VP Training. The Board will fill this position next year through co-option.

See a photograph of the Board of SA Hunters and members of the Heritage Council (former presidents) that attended the Congress here.

Constitution, Internal Rules and Disciplinary Procedure

At the Congress, amendments have been made to the Constitution, Internal Rules and Disciplinary Procedures of the Association. Some changes are minor administrative amendments while others are of a more serious nature such as allowing SA Hunters to host a virtual Congress. The documents are available here on the member administration system.

Awards

During the Congress, fewer awards were made to some winners of national shooting competitions, trophy competitions, and a few performance awards. The following awards deserve a special mention.

The Order of the Bateleur, the highest awards for conservation, has been awarded to Namakwa Branch in Springbok for the special work to conserve the rare and threatened succulents of the Namaqua Karoo. Read the motivation that explains this very important work that the branch does in that region here. Photo

Another Order of the Bateleur was also awarded to Tuba en Retha van der Walt for their notable work in identifying veld flowers, lichen and fungi that occur naturally in the Limpopo Valley between Malala drift and Pot Drift. They identified new, previously unknown fungi species. Two books have been published on this topic. Read the motivation for their award here.

Another notable award made, was the Pour le Merit to Tommy Liversage for handling SA Hunters’ finances in such an exemplary manner. Read the motivation here which tells its own story. Photo

Congratulations to all recipients. Your contributions to the success and acknowledgement of SA Hunters are sincerely appreciated.

Management Report

The Association’s activities over the past two years are summarised in the Management Report that is available here.

Structure of newsletter

We start with the new and important information first, followed by the regular news.

Therefore, members can get up to date with fresh news first and read other information later.

New messages

Hand delivery of magazines

The closing of yet more post offices because they cannot pay the rent, has created a massive problem with the delivery of magazines to members.

We call on members in the larger city suburbs to change their delivery preference for the magazines (SA Hunter and Magnum) to hand delivery. The magazines will be hand delivered at your home at the same cost as before. Change your delivery preference to home delivery by:

Phoning Michel Schoeman at (012) 8089300 or sending an e-mail to michel@sahunt.co.za
Changing the preference on your member profile on the SA Hunters website or using the SA Hunters App.

Remember to check that your residential address is correct.

Photography Club

The Photography Club enjoys unprecedented interest and grows continuously.

Read more about the club, opportunities for training and participation in monthly competitions and prizes here It also includes detail about the best photographs of the year and the overall winner.

SAPS Minister postpones webinar

The Minister of Police scheduled a webinar on the proposed amendment bill to the Firearms Control Act on 11 en 12 November. Following calls by interested parties to postpone the webinar because current loadshedding schedules would have prevented parties from participation, the webinar has indeed been postponed until further notice.

There was also uncertainty about the invitees and the fact that the agenda was not made available timeously. On Wednesday afternoon, the Minister, via the Secretary of Police, announced that the webinar would be cancelled.

This is an interesting development which probably emanates from the huge reaction by the public on the unpopular proposed amendments to the Act.

The last opportunity where the Minister of Police engaged with representatives of firearm owners, was in 2006 when the Hunters Forum agreed to use endorsements to support licence applications.

The chance to talk to the Minister is definitely not something that SA Hunters wants to miss out on.

Hunting Affairs

The Gauteng Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Rural and Agrarian Reform in the Eastern Cape, circulated notices on the restrictions for the processing of game meat at any other place than a registered abattoir that provides meat for human and animal use.

The Meat Safety Act, No. 40 van 2000 is not new legislation, but was promulgated 21 years ago. It is only being applied now for the first time.

Please note that game meat for own and cultural uses are exempted from this legislation, provided that the meat is not being sold. Hunters that slaughter and process their own game meat, are also exempted. Please take care when taking your game carcasses to a butchery for processing, as the business is subject to the conditions of the act.

Persons interested in doing a training course in meat safety and inspection, can contact Boetie Kirchner (Manager, Hunting Affairs) at boetiek@sahunt.co.za. This course is recommended to anyone interested in the commercial trade of game meat which it is an important link in the meat safety legislation.

The correspondence referred to above, is available here and here.

Repeating messages

Special offers

Doctari Knives

The Doctari ivory knife project will end soon. There are only 31 knives left with ivory handles from elephants hunted by Nico van Rooyen. Place your order now for that special Christmas gift, to avoid disappointment.

Pay R5 500 in SA Hunters bank account no 01443990077; branch code 632005 and use the reference Mes and your mobile number. Send proof of payment to admin@sahunt.co.za

Memorial publication

Only copies of the memorial books with the hard covers are still available at R300 per copy. This is also the ideal Christmas gift for a dedicated member of SA Hunters. Place your order now to avoid disappointment.

To order your copy:

Transfer the correct amount (R300 for the ordinary version or R1 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

Buck-knives

There are only 105 items left in this limited series of 500 Buck knives at R1 000 each. These knives have ivory inlays on the handle with the SA Hunters logo engraved. Transfer R1 000 by EFT into SA Hunters back account at ABSA, account number 01443990077. Use your member number and Knipmes as reference. Send proof of payment, your member number and contact details to Realda Goosen at realda@sahunt.co.za

Sale at SA Hunters Shop

SA Hunters decided to reduce the clothing stock in its store and to change its product range. Various items are available at discounted prices. Enquiries: Rene at (012) 808 9300 of rene@sahunt.co.za

Humansdorp Co-op

In November 2021 Humansdorp Koöperasie offers the following products at 10% discount to members:

Zeiss Scopes
Schmidt & Bender Scopes
Xerotech Scopes

Support to members

Many people are still suffering from the economic effects of Covid 19 circumstances. Herewith information about opportunities by members to members.

Good quality, dry bushveld firewood available at reasonable price in Pretoria area. More information here.

Membership

Recruit members for commission

SA Hunters membership has dropped to 43 832 after some members failed to renew their membership by paying the membership fees.

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.

SA Hunters distributed membership application forms at various dealers. Any member that wants to receive the same material, can enquire with Dorothy Ras by dorothy@sahunt.co.za

The Board also agreed that branches that succeed in resigning up lapsed members, will also benefit from the commission. More information has been sent to Branch chairpersons.