Comments from SAFREA members regarding the SAFREA community:

“SAFREA has played a very important role as my virtual news room for the past 10 years. I've made lifelong friends and business partners through Safrea and although I no longer “need” the networking available on the e-group I still get work and press trips (including Seychelles, Uganda and Zambia) directly from the e-group as well as directly from other Safreans where we have built up a trusted working relationship. Safrea is a valuable resource – be it needing help with information, a source or contact when on deadline, or a competent someone to take on some work, advice on work related issues or simply someone to commiserate with you. ...I would not be without it.” – Sharon Davis

“I didn’t know what to expect when I joined Safrea. At first, I was nervous to make my voice heard, but when I got to grips with the e-group I enjoyed some lively, helpful debate. After some months, I made good contacts and in addition I took up work opportunities that came my way. As a result, I now have a regular client I would not have had otherwise. I have expanded my network and made friends, too.” – Fiona Zerbst

“As a lone freelancer, Safrea helps expand my vision when the four walls of my office start pushing in too close for comfort. The wealth of knowledge and support in this group is priceless. I have no idea how I operated, in isolation, before I joined this family.” – Jaco Wolmarans

“Freelancing is extremely fulfilling but ultimately lonely, so I joined Safrea in order to become part of a network.  The association has exceeded my wildest expectations.  I have found lots of work, made friends all over the country, become involved with interesting people, got insight into the way other people work, received tons of useful information, and gained a sense of community. Safrea rocks!” – Niki Moore

Morning everyone – and thank you for the responses re Xhosa translation. Just want to say that I have consistently been impressed with the leads, help and responses I have obtained via the Safrea chatgroup.

It is a brilliant resource and community and great to know that whatever one needs – from a translator to a tax person to a shoulder to cry on – you can be sure to get an incredibly fast response from the group!

Thanks

Leverne

PS. I have also made *bucks* from the site, responding to requests for Annual Reports, etc.!

And a hooray from me too. Service is quick, knowledge encyclopaedic; and the willingness to help is a major reason why groups like this work as well as they do.

Roxanne   I also think Safrea is a brilliant resource. I’ve been out the loop this year because of baby Sofia, but every time I’ve posted a query or request I’ve had a great response and it’s certainly made me feel connected to a bright bunch of people. So thanks everyone! Also, the technical info on copyright, rates etc is invaluable. Cheers Karena   I still meant to say a BIG THANK YOU! to those of you who helped me out with leads on business investment in education recently, when I was so snowed under with more articles than days for several weeks that I just didn't have the time to spend searching around in cyberspace. It's just wonderful to be able to rely on the generosity of well-connected Safrea colleagues! When I first moved to Cape Town from Joeys in 2000, I spent an uphill year of freelancing without Safrea, so I really appreciate being part of this "virtual newsroom" - as Sarah-Jane put it recently. The moral support, practical guidelines, banter, grammar "lessons", sometimes heated discussions, jobs, networking at member evenings, and selfless sharing of tips and information has made freelancing in Cape Town much more profitable and more fun! May there be lots more of the same for many years to come. Regards, Erina     Add my vote too! A really big thank you to everyone in the group for all the help and advice you’ve so generously given. Impti