Chair’s News in Brief – March 2026
Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Warmest greetings to you all fellow Safreans. In this season, when institutions outline their priorities, it is only fitting that Safrea, through its Chairperson, shares clearly where we aim to head this year.
Our priorities are informed by the members’ voices, needs and regular engagement. In time management, if there is an activity not completed, it is carried over. With us, we have highlighted the three most urgent items raised by you: the completion of a new Rates Survey, implementation of the Constitution, and strengthening Membership Benefits. I will elucidate on the first two in the following sections. The third is an ongoing exercise, informed by the membership Think Tank we held.
We need to grow Safrea; our numbers need to rise because our sustainability depends on it. We need to ensure member retention – not out of familiarity, but because of the excellence of service Safrea provides to its members.
In the same breath, I wish to pay tribute to the volunteers I work with on Exco. Since their election, they have gone beyond the call of duty, not only contributing the precious resource of time, but also financial resources to support Safrea’s activities. The various successful regional events we have seen reflect a Safrea that is visible, engaged and vibrant.
The discussions and advice we share with each other on the Google Group and now in our WhatsApp community show a network of professionals committed to unified growth.
Can we do better? Of course. Are we striving to do better? Yes.
While we have also grown as a team, I am sad to announce that Rachael Naidu, who was part of Exco, has asked to step down due to personal issues. Transitions like these remind us that institutions are ultimately about people. We are grateful for her contribution and commitment during her time with us.
I also appreciate the ongoing support of our Administrator, Thea, and our Vice-Chair, Kay Johnstone, who not only fulfils her VC duties, but also helps keep our Newsletter going and other key operations running.
2026 Priorities
- New Rates Survey
- Constitution Implementation
- Strengthening Membership Benefits
Strategic Relations Revived
The silence from my office at the start of the year was not due to inactivity – quite the opposite. It has been a busy period focused on reviving our strategic relationships.
Over the past month, we have intentionally strengthened strategic engagements with like-minded bodies, including the Oversight Committee (OSC), the Professional Editors Guild (PEG), and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF). These engagements were not merely symbolic; they were strategic.
Regarding SANEF, I am pleased to inform members that the organisation is open to stronger relations this year, pledging collaboration with us on events and training. One area of convergence will be the upcoming elections, where SANEF would like to work with the training of freelancers and assist in any other opportunities.
Additionally, as you read in Kate Thompson Davy’s report from the SANEF Nedbank Media event, SANEF continues to recognise Safrea as a key voice in media, which is why we were included on the panel.
We have also initiated discussions with the South African Finishing Artists and Imaging Technicians Society (SAFAITS), recognising that our environment is evolving and we must evolve with it. Collaboration and shared advocacy remain central to our growth.
The Rates Survey
Heeding a loud and clear call from our members and freelance community for Safrea to conduct a new Rates Survey, I am pleased to share that we have listened and acted.
At the end of January, we successfully completed our Rates Survey. This has been a crucial exercise that will shape our sustainability and future positioning.
The work does not end with completion; the analysis of the results is currently underway, and we are carefully studying what the data is telling us to compile it into a report. Members will be updated on the progress and informed once the report is ready.
This process reflects our commitment to making decisions grounded in evidence rather than assumption. We owe our members thoughtful leadership. This survey is a key part of that responsibility.
We trust that, once completed, it will serve as a key information document for our members and for media and communications freelancers.
Constitution Implementation
In 2025, we successfully revised the Constitution and shared it with members for their input. At the AGM, we secured votes for its implementation. However, these were initially insufficient, so the voting period was extended.
Once it had been extended, more members voted, including many in favour, and the Constitution was adopted and submitted to the NPO Department.
We are aware that a few concerns were raised regarding some aspects of the Constitution. We remain open to consulting with the members who shared these concerns, and seeking legal advice on how these views can be considered, even though the Constitution has already been voted on and passed by a majority.
In the meantime, as the new Constitution has been accepted by the NPO Department, it is now active.
Before full implementation, we are currently putting the necessary policies and procedures in place. A new Board will therefore take office via an election at the next AGM this year. The AGM will be conducted in line with the new Constitution and so a Board, not Exco, will be elected.
Gratitude and Unity
I want to sincerely thank Exco and every member for the maturity and unity that carried us through 2025. There were important decisions to make, and we made them together.
I also want to thank the members who regularly share their views on what can be done better. They surely shape us and make this a team effort.
As we move into 2026, we remain steady, focused and aligned. Our foundation is stronger, our relationships broader, and I believe our direction is much clearer. Together, we continue to move forward.
In Eswatini, where I come from, we have a national mantra: Nkwe! (Urgency). It is with that mantra that I shall continue to lead, and I remain open to constructive feedback that comes with proposed solutions for the continued growth of Safrea together.
I thank you and wish you the very best in your fields for the year.
Theme for 2026
Network. Learn. Get Noticed.
Over the past few months, we have held several meetings to reflect internally on our Unique Value Proposition and to clarify what we offer in order to attract new members and retain existing ones.
What has emerged consistently is that Safrea is the only professional network in Southern Africa dedicated to empowering freelance media and communications specialists – connecting you with peers, promoting your skills, and providing you with the tools to grow your career.
The shorter version is that Safrea is your professional home for freelance media and communications in Southern Africa.
Network. Learn. Get noticed.
Ultimately, we view Safrea as an organisation that connects and champions Southern Africa’s freelance media and communications professionals – helping you get noticed, stay connected, and continue to grow.