how to create your own website for free

SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION

SAAFA is an all-ranks meeting place, founded in 1945. This eminently worthy cause not only recreates in a light-hearted atmosphere, the togetherness of its aviation-minded members but also enjoins them to share responsibility for the needs of less fortunate ex-SAAF members and their spouses.

JOIN US NOW SUBSCRIBE NOW SAAFA REGALIA

ABOUT SAAFA

Appart from being a meeting place for its members SAAFA actively promotes the image of the SAAF and its members. Indeed, the two-fold activity of having fun while raising funds continues to produce excellent results over the years. Funds raised thus are distributed via the Association's Care of the Aged programme.

All persons who serve in, or once served in the SAAF (PF or CF), or in any other Allied Air Force, are eligible to join this unique fraternity.

SAAFA branches are active all over Southern Africa: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East Rand (Benoni), Johannesburg, Kimberley, Lower South Coast (Margate), Laeveld (Hoedspruit), Namibia (Windhoek), Outeniqua (George/Knysna), Pietermaritzburg, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Stilfontein, Soutpansberg (Machado/Louis Trichardt) and Weskus (Langebaan/Vredenburg). The SA Korean War Veterans Association also has branch status with the SAAFA.

Membership brings participation in many activities, enjoying life wining and dining, raffles, sport events, special outings, regular luncheons at which distinguished persons from industry and commerce address the gathering and chat afterwards. How about golf, horse racing, bowls and "Fly-in-Braai" days and many more interesting events?!

Members are entitled to wear the distinctive SAAFA tie, blazer badge and other insignia, and to participate in all SAAFA activities at Branch level. They are also encouraged to participate in the on-going worthwhile projects of the Association. Less fortunate SAAFA members and their dependents are being assisted in their well being. An ever-increasing percentage of funds raised are being channeled towards the Care of the Aged programme.

A national newsletter is distributed via email regularly free-of-charge, while several branches send out their own newsletters.

SAAF History - p1

One finds very little documented information on the forming of the South African Air Force Association. The original concept formulated in late 1944 was threefold;
* to continue the spirit and camaraderie of the South African Air Force generated during World War II;
* to perpetuate the memory of all brave Air Force men and women who paid the supreme sacrifice for their
   country;
* and in particular, to assist with the welfare of their widows and children. 

Colonel Rod Douglas, a veteran pilot from the 1914/18 Great War, started the Christmas Cheer Fund during 1943, whilst serving as a senior staff officer at SAAF Headquarters. This Fund ensured that all SAAF squadrons and units serving outside the borders of South Africa would be treated to a sumptuous lunch or dinner on Christmas Day. Generous donations to this cause were received from SAAF units remaining in South Africa. 

Colonel Douglas had experienced the aftermath of World War I with the plight of the widows and children, and demobilised airmen. He wanted to ensure that this would not happen again when World War II hostilities ceased. To this end, he gathered a group of like-minded airmen and set about creating the South African Air Force Association. Colonel Rod Douglas is acknowledged as the founder of the South African Air Force Association and he served as the first SAAFA National President guiding the Association during its formative years.

SAAF History - p2

An initial meeting was held in Johannesburg on 11 December 1944. Many distinguished airmen were present to be elected as committee members. A draft Constitution was discussed and approved. Principles, objectives and projects were tabled and discussed. The first SAAFA meeting was held at the Inanda Country Club on 26 January 1945. This date is recognised as the founding date of the Association. At an Executive meeting held on 24 April 1945 Branches were approved in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Benoni and Windhoek. The first annual National Congress was held in Johannesburg on 15 June 1946.

Over the years Branches were formed in cities and towns throughout South Africa but some have closed due to lack of support. At present Branches exist in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East Rand, Johannesburg, Lower South Coast, Kimberley, the Lowveld, Windhoek, Outeniqua, Pietermaritzburg, Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Soutpansberg, Stilfontein, and the West Coast. Strong SAAFA groups exists in Dubai, UAE and Shenzen, China.

Close links are maintained with the SA Korean War Veterans Association, the RAF Association, the Council of Military Veterans Organisation and its affiliate military veteran organisations, the SA Legion, the Warsaw Flights Commemoration Committee, the Berlin Airlifters Committee and the Alpine 44 Club.

Soon after the war ended the young Association found itself deeply involved with numerous projects, some of which continue today.  

SAAF History - p3

Numerous children of airmen, who had paid the supreme sacrifice, were educated at schools. In some cases funds were provided for a University or Teachers Training College education. Over the years the demand for the children�s education has diminished and programmes to assist chronic ill members and care of the aged were put in place.

Welfare grants, food parcels and Christmas cheer have been made to dependants and members. Together with the SA Legion improvements in war pensions for ex-SAAF members and their dependants were negotiated. Successful applications for tax exemption for special flying allowances were negotiated as were many other issues requiring the Association to lobby with Government, Provinces and Organisations.

The Air Force Fund was started during the War to provide funds to donate "Spitfire" aircraft to the Royal Air Force. At the cessation of hostilities remaining funds were distributed to Branches and the RAF Benevolent Fund. The Association administered on behalf of the Air Force Fund, funds for the benefit of needy 1939/45 SAAF veterans. Housing memorials in the form of blocks of flats were built in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Ex-SAAF men and women in need occupied the flats at sub-economic rentals. These flats are still administered by the three Branches. 

SAAF History - p4

At the suggestion of the Association the first Air Force Memorial was built at the entrance to Waterkloof Air Force Station in 1957. The site proved unsuitable for a number of reasons and again the Association suggested a national Air Force Memorial be built and agreed to contribute half the overall costs. Completed in 1963 the result is the magnificent Air Force Memorial situated on Bays Hill above the old Swartkop Air Force Station.

Joint annual memorial services are held in May each year. At the suggestion of the Association to the SAAF, citizen force squadrons at Cape Town, Durban, Germiston, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria were formed.

Continuous liaison and support to the SAAF in peace and conflict as experienced during the Berlin Airlift, the 1947 Royal visit, the Korean War and in South West Africa/Namibia. The interaction with the South African Air Force remains a high priority with the Association.

Today the South African Air Force Association continues the legacy to support ex-Air Force aged and needy; to perpetuate the memory of SAAF men and women killed in the line of duty; to foster Air Force camaraderie; to preserve our Air Force Heritage and to continue dynamic Air Force/Association interaction. 

Previous Next

National Executive

Office bearers:
National President                      Hugh Paine
National Vice President             Mike Louw
Country Vice Presidents            B Hauptfleisch (Weskus)    
                                                      A de Klerk (Pietermaritzburg)      
                                                      D Badenhorst (Cape Town)
Honorary Treasurer                    Jeff Earle
National Secretary                     Samantha Geddes

Committee Members

NEC Members

SAAF/SAAFA Liaison                 Philip Weyers
Investment Manager                 Jeff Earle
Benevolence                              Trevor Slade
Strategic Planning                      Hugh Paine
Constitution & Archives             Hugh Paine
Membership                               Chris Boshoff
National Medical Liaison           Mike Louw
Awards                                        Jaap Rossouw
Public Relations                         Philip Weyers
Fund Raising                              Chris Boshoff
Remembrance/Heritage         Renier Feldtmann
Events                                         Chris Boshoff
Webmaster                                Koos van Rensburg.

Bloemfontein

 Chairman Gavin Lavis
Vice Chairman Val Nell
Treasurer Ronell Opperman
Secretary Ansie Lavis
Tel: 082 873 2284
Email: ansielavis@vodamail.co.za

MORE

Cape Town

Chairman John Bayly Brown
Vice Chairman Kevin Sampson
Treasurer Daan Badenhorst
Secretary Julia Thomas
Tel: (021) 508-6138
Email: saafacape@gmail.com 

MORE

Durban

Chairman Steve Bekker
Vice Chairman Gavin Farquhar
Treasurer John Boardman
Secretary Wilna Myburgh
 Tel: 031 904 3644
Email: stevejbekker@telkomsa.net

MORE

East Rand

Chairman Dave Tayler
Vice Chairman Chris Boshoff
Treasurer Mac McCloskey
Secretary Marjory Malan
Tel: (011) 849-2751
Email: maramal@absamail.co.za

MORE

Johannesburg

Chairman Jeff Earle
Vice Chairman Bruce Harrison
Treasurer Amanda Thorsen
Secretary Carol van Rensburg
Tel: 011 616 7406
Email: info@jhb.saafa.co.za

UP

Kimberley

 Chairman Laurens Goudriaan
Vice Chairman Vacant
Secretary William Smith
 Tel: (053) 838-7411
Fax: (053) 839-4885
Email: William.smith@iburst.co.za

MORE

Lower South Coast

Chairman Johnny Ralph
Vice Chairman Vacant
Treasurer Victor Liebenberg
Secretary Phyllis Ralph
Cell: 082 568 8644  
Email: Chairman.LSC@saafa.co.za

MORE

Lowveld

 Chairman Hugh le Roux
Vice Chairman Gys van Staden
Treasurer Lientjie Langenhoven
Secretary Catryn le Roux
 Tel: 015 799 2247
Email: lerouxhugh@yahoo.com

UP

Namibia

Chairman Ehrol Lohmann
Vice Chairman Vacant
Treasurer Angie Lohmann.
Secretary Angie Lohmann.
H: + 264 (0) 61 23 3913
Email: angie@iway.na

MORE

Outeniqua

 Chairman Horace Blok
Vice Chairman Vacant
Treasurer Carol McCreedy.
Secretary Carol McCreedy.
 Tel: (044) 871-3159
Email: cmccreedy@gmail.com

UP

Pietermaritzburg

 Chairman Brian Broli
Vice Chairman Winks Steing
Treasurer Doreen Broli
Secretary Doreen Broli
H: 033 396 2118
Email: morgan.maryholmes@gmail.com

UP

Port Alfred

 Chairman Hugh Holmes
Vice Chairman Wally Vandermeulen
Treasurer Jenny Holmes
Secretary Gordon Goff
Tel: 046 624 1861
Email: cliveden@border.co.za

MORE

Port Elizabeth

 Chairman Colin Trader
Vice Chairman Bernie Sharp
Treasurer Myrtle Hamp-Adams
Secretary Peter Aston
 Tel/Fax: 041 374 5014
Email: peter_aston@absamail.co.za

UP

Pretoria

 Chairman Herman Olmesdahl
Vice Chairman Vacant
Secretary Jaap Rossouw
Treasurer Carol Havenga
Tel: 012 651 5922
pta@saafa.co.za

MORE

Soutpansberg

Chairman Francois van Zyl
Vice Chairman Eddie Rieger
Treasurer Dou Breed
Secretary Gerhard Schoeman
Tel: 015 577 2215
Email: saafa.spb@gmail.com

MORE

Stilfontein

Chairman Arthur Keefe
Vice Chairman Ray Carter
Treasurer Angie Bate
Secretary Margaret Calitz
 Tel: (018) 478-9761
Email: Akeefe@AngloGoldAshanti.com

UP

West Coast

Chairman Renèe Smith
Vice Chairman Schalk van Heerden
Treasurer/Secretary Kevin Kilfoil
 Tel : 022 772 1605
Email: kilfoil@telkomsa.net

UP

National Office

National President Hugh Paine
National Vice President Mike Louw
National Secretary Samantha Geddes
Tel: 012 651 5921 or 012 351 2116
Email: nhq@saafa.co.za

HOME

Patrons of SAAFA

Lt Genl A.M. Muller, SSAS, SD, SM, SALM (Retired)
Lt Gen D.J. Earp, SSA, SD, SOE, SM, SAAF (Retired)
Lt Genl J.P.B. van Loggerenberg, SSA, SD, SM, MMM, SALM (Retired)
Lt Genl W.H. Hechter, SSAS, SD, SM, MMM, SALM (Retired)
Lt Genl R.J. Beukes, SD, SM, MMM, SALM (Retired)
Mr B. Hersov, DMS
Lt Genl C. Gagiano, SM, SAAF (Retired).

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

Flying Spirit


Flying Spirit - 2017 November
Flying Spirit - 2017 June

Flying Spirit - 2016 November
Flying Spirit - 2016 January
Flying Spirit - 2014 September
Flying Spirit - 2014 June
Flying Spirit - 2014 March





 

Bloemfontein News
Cape Town - Aquila Capensis
Durban - In-formation
East Rand - Max Thrust










 

Johannesburg - Skyline
Kimberley
South Coast - Chocks Away
Lowveld - Bastion






 

Namibia
Outeniqua
'Maritzburg - Touch & Go
Port Alfred - Tale Dragger






  

Port Elizabeth - Flypaper
Pretoria - Stick & Throttle
West Coast - Malgas News
RAFA - Rafa Roundel


The V-Boys of Margate by Roger makings (2104)
2007 Legends Air Show
2009 TFDC Air Show
2010 Rand Air Show
2011 Zwartkop Air Show
A B-17 Flying Fortress called All American
Amazing Engineering - Madeira Airport Runway
CESSNA 152 for the SAAF Museum
First RAF Sunderland Flight to Greenland
For the Africa Star
My year on the wing
Oldest Boeing Airliner in flying condition
Phyllis Doreen Dunning
Piggyback Hero
The Coelacanth Flight - 1952
The Tale of Two Stories
Virginia Air Show 2012

MEMBER'S PUBLICATIONS

 Beyond the Edge of the Sky - Crow Stannard with Dennis Earp
Coastal Strike - John Clements with Graeme Gibson
Commanding Heights - Roy Andersen
Facta Nostra Vivent - Andrew Embleton
In All Weather - Peter Chapman
My small segment of World War II - Alex Reith 
Nick's War - Nick Lithgow
Special Forces - Peet Coetzee
Spitfires Rampant - Bill Tatham
The Rhodesian Command Dakota - Laurence (Flo) Hill
Warriors of the Sky - Peter Bagshawe
We Conquer from Above - Paul J Els
Wings over Langebaanweg - Andrew Embleton
My Dad and the Condor - Danie van der Spuy

TOP

Upcoming Events

Johannesburg Golf Day, September, Woodmead Golf Club, Carol van Rensburg, info@jhb.saafa.co.za
Pretoria Oktober Bierfest, October, Die Bosvelder, Nick Havenga, 082 876 6150
RAF Memorial Service, Bays Hill, April
Pretoria Annual Golf Day, April, Services Golf Club, Nick Havenga, 082 876 6150
Gunner's Association Service, Potchefstroom, April
SAAF Museum Air Show, May, AFB Swartkop
Pretoria Annual Banquet, SAAF HQ,  August, Jaap Rossouw, 012 651 5922 or pta@saafa.co.za

Branches are welcome to forward their event information to the
webmaster whom will gladly add them to this page.

TOP

Medical Info

Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund Booklet
Travel Claim Form
Personal Information Update Form

Please contact your Branch Committee to resolve any queries/uncertainties

TOP

CONTACT FORM

This form will be delivered to our webmaster whom will forward it to the relevant branch/person.

SAAFA Regalia

Please contact our secretary at Head Office (contact form) to get the latest prices and regalia items on offer to members (Tel: 012 651 5921 or 012 351 2116 Email: nhq@saafa.co.za)