The Southern African Freelancers’ Association champions freelance workers in the media and communications fields. For more information on joining Safrea, visit our pages on member benefits, membership types and rates, and the application process to become part of our 500-strong community. To work with our members, visit our Freelancer Database.
Safrea is a professional association of freelance workers in the media and communications industries. Members are writers, photographers, editors, social media managers, proofreaders, graphic designers, illustrators, researchers, translators and other experts in communication, who offer a broad range of skills and specialities.
Founded in 1999, Safrea promotes the interests of freelance media specialists, campaigns to improve their professional standing and to make working as a freelancer more rewarding.
Besides the national Executive and Oversight Committees there are branches throughout South Africa, including Gauteng (North and South), the Western Cape, KZN, Eastern Cape and Free State. Regular regional meetings, events and networking opportunities are held throughout the year.
Safrea offers members a continually evolving free archive of resources, training materials and members-only content on our website. We also host free webinars, a vibrant members-only online forum, and a publicly available directory of our talented members’ profiles, portfolios and contact details. Members regularly share work leads and contacts on the forum, while employers post commissions or search our directory for the right freelancer for the job. Safrea's Business Implementation Framework (BIF) ensures we continue to serve our members with a clear and focused purpose.
To join our flourishing community of over 500 freelancers, please view our membership types and complete the online application form.
Safrea’s Mission Statement
Safrea was launched in response to changes within the creative industry and the growth of the freelance media market. To help ensure the best working practices, Safrea set out to accomplish specific goals.
SA Freelance Media Industry & Rates Report
Safrea is well known for its annual South African Freelance Media Industry & Rates Report, which has become an industry benchmark for media freelancers and recruiters to negotiate fair rates. Covering subjects from client types to marketing techniques, it gives a snapshot of freelance life in Southern Africa.
Meet the Committees
Safrea is run by committees of dedicated volunteer members and a part-time administrator. Volunteering is a great way for experienced media and communications professionals to help shape the organisation and their industries. Learn more about the structure and leadership roles of Safrea and find out who currently holds these positions.
Safrea Constitution
Safrea operates under the principles and guidelines laid out in our constitution, which covers our executive structure, goals and objectives. This version of the Safrea Constitution was adopted in May 2012.
Safrea Member Disclaimer
Safrea is a voluntary, non-profit association for professional freelancers in Southern Africa. The organisation supports freelancers and employers working together, but does not accept responsibility or liability for its members.
How do I Join Safrea
Join Safrea’s freelance family of over 500 media and communications professionals working throughout Southern Africa in sectors ranging from graphic design to broadcasting.
In a Nutshell
- The purpose of Safrea is to promote the interests of members who are freelance media and communications professionals in the published written, visual, information technology, broadcast and creative media spheres.
- Its highest aspiration is to be the freelance community of choice in the media and communications industry.
- A freelancer is regarded as a person providing services to multiple clients.
- A home to freelancers – Safrea is the only association with this specific mandate in the Southern African region.
- It is a professionally managed association with
- Three levels of committees – regional, Exco, Oversight
- Executive administrator
- Website manager
- Strategic plan – membership, professional development, communications and advocacy
- Six different membership categories
- Five main branches in South Africa
Safrea's Members Include
- Journalists
- Fiction and Non-Fiction authors
- Photographers
- Photojournalists
- Graphic Designers
- Illustrators
- Translators
- Editors, Subeditors and Copyeditors
- Proofreaders
- Researchers
- Broadcasters
- Project Managers
- Web Designers
- Content Specialists
- Social Media Specialists
- DTP Experts
- Voice-Over Artists
- Scriptwriters
- Indexers