professional photographers of southern africa

CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE PPSA OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS Professional Photographers of Southern Africa is the only representative body for practicing photographers and others who are affiliated to the photography industry in Southern Africa. Originally known as, South African Institute of Photographers, when it was originally established as a representative body in 1967. The Institute has played an important role in the development and promotion of the professional photography industry in Southern Africa. The formation of a National body, inaugurated in 1967 was founded on existing regional bodies, being, Natal Institute (based in Durban) Border (East Cape Coast region) Cape Town Institute of Photographers and the Transvaal Institute of Photographers. Some of these bodies had been in existence since 1943. During the Second World War, South African photographers had great difficulty obtaining photographic materials and equipment. Photographers got-together and decided that as representative bodies of working professionals there was more chance of assistance from the government in solving the many problems that beset them. Over the years as they began communicating with each other as regional representative bodies they eventually unanimously agreed that a National Institute had become essential. Thus in the early 60's professional photographers serving on the regional Councils began formulating a Constitution. In 1967, all regions adopted the SAIP Constitution and the newly formed National Body became known as; The South African Institute of Photographers. There were originally five regional divisions, NATAL, TRANSVAAL, ORANGE FREE STATE, EASTERN CAPE and WESTERN CAPE. Responsibility for direction and administration of the regions was undertaken by locally elected members of the divisional committees, who met at annually National Council meetings annually In spite of some regional disagreements between argumentative photographers serving as divisional committees and National Council members the organisation always functioned well. Copyright issues have always dominated South African photographers working lives. Many member photographers have spent countless hours investigating legislation and expressing views on the matter. In 1989 SAIP joined the newly formed World Council of Professional Photographers and in 1992 SAIP National Council delegate at the WCPP AGM, Kurt Buchmann was awarded the Copyright Portfolio. With a renewed vigor to deal with Copyright issues, the Council decided that in accordance with other International photographer's representative bodies a name change was needed. South African Institute of Photographers was then known as; Professional Photographers of Southern Africa. In 1988, PPSA launched the PROFOTO AWARDS, to recognize and promote outstanding South African photographers in their fields of specialization. During the ten years of their existence, the awards became the event of the year for professionals and a valuable benchmark for photography in Southern Africa. In 1997 Fuji withdrew this vital sponsorship and this annual event and exhibitions of images ended. As a non-profit organizations funded only on membership subscriptions, the PPSA did not have the resources to stage the awards independently. The only other awards made for professionalism are only available to PPSA Licentiate photographers who on presentation of a portfolio of images in a specific category of photography apply for an Associate award. Two years after achieving this accolade the photographer can apply for a Fellowship award. This is the highest (and only award) of achievement for professional excellence in photography. Many outstanding and internationally recognized South African photographers have achieved this status.

South African Institute of Photographers Registered: 23-8-1967 No.67/9143 Previously known as The Federation of Institutes of Professional Photographers 1963-1964 Name change in 1990 to: Professional Photographers of Southern Africa. 1st Annual General Meeting 9th September 1967 of South African Institute of Photographers 1967 (1 year) David Serwator Border (EC) 1968-1969 J.J. Wesselo AIP Hon Fellow Transvaal 1970-1971 Eileen Berry-Smith AIP Hon Fellow Natal 1972-1973 Alan Keartland AIP Hon Fellow Transvaal 1974-1975 Peter van Niekerk AIP Hon Fellow Western Cape 1976-1977 Paul Vink Hon Member Transvaal 1978-1979 Peter van Niekerk AIP Hon Fellow Western Cape 1980-1981 Duncan Greaves AIP Natal 1982-1983 Derek Worman AIP Hon Fellow Transvaal 1984-1985 John Paisley Hon Fellow Western Cape 1986 (1 year) Mike Reed Hon Member Transvaal 1987 (1 year) Peter van Niekerk AIP Hon Fellow Western Cape 1988-1989 Tony Elliott AIP Hon Fellow Western Cape 1990-1991 Hoosain Ebrahim FIP Hon Fellow Transvaal 1992-1993 Pieter de Ras FPPPSA Hon Fellow Transvaal 1994-1995 Dennis Arden AIP Hon Fellow Transvaal 1996-1997 Hoosain Ebrahim FIP Hon Fellow Transvaal 1998 (1 year) Pieter de Ras FPPPSA Hon Fellow Gauteng 1999 (1 year) Noel Wheeler AIP Gauteng 2000 (1 year) Gavin Furlonger AIP Western Cape 2001-2002 Kurt Buchmann FPPPSA Hon Fellow Gauteng 2003-2004 Pieter de Ras FPPSA Hon Fellow Gauteng 2005-2010 Pieter de Ras FPPSA Hon Fellow Gauteng