UNITY AMONGST HUNTERS. Since the recent withdrawal from CHASA: of the SA Hunters Association, the question is asked by role players in the organised hunting industry whether this has caused a separation between hunters – especially at a stage where the needs of hunters for representation at national level are at its highest. Various reasons can be given for the problems which existed between CHASA and the SA Hunters Association. My viewpoint is that the reasons are rather symptoms of an underlying problem which is vested in the fact that both organizations operates on a national basis. Although the SA Hunters Association in earlier years were mostly confined to the old Transvaal region, the reality is that they now have members throughout South Africa. CHASA in turn consist of thirteen hunting associations in South Africa – all regional associations. These member associations are outonomous, each with a unique regional identity and focuses attention at regional interest. Authority is delegated to CHASA who co-ordinate their activities, sets uniformed standards and represent them at national level. There are thus defacto two national role players. The challenge to organized hunters is to accept this as a reality and to focus on how this will be managed in future in the best interest of all hunters in South Africa. Hunters now have a choice, either to become a member of an independent Regional association of CHASA or to become a member of a branch of the SA Hunters Association. The freedom of choice however is the foundation of a democracy and free market system. This promotes competition and service rendering. In this case a system of friendly competition where both organizations will have to improve their service delivery and add value to eventually serve the hunter and hunting industry better in future. Apart from this there is an additional benefit namely, that when the enemies of hunting are to be confronted it can be done with two voices. This can only be beneficial if both voices act in a co-ordinated manner and co-operate strategically in complementing each other. Both CHASA and SA Hunters Association have in the interim obtained new leadership who have reached out to each other. The new CHASA will endeavour to adopt a culture of co-operation and solving problems by joining hands with all role players in the industry. CHASA is also focused on the future with the emphasis on service delivery. It is thus fruitless in wasting energy on the past and we will no longer engage in a debate on what happened in the past. Unity within the hunters environment do not necessarily have to take
place within the structures of CHASA. It can also be affected through
strategic co-operation. This policy has already produced excellent results
since September 2004 during the industry’s negotiations with SAPS
and Theta and we will continue on this road in future. LUDOLPH SWANEVELDER |