Membership of the Association is open to all freelancers in the field of media and communications.
Freelancers are defined as self-employed or independent contractors who provide services to clients on a contractual basis, receive no employee benefits, and are responsible for their own taxes.
While the Constitution states that a Full Member is not employed and derives most of their income from freelance work, the Board retains discretion to consider individual applications for Full Membership on their merits in circumstances where an applicant undertakes limited or ancillary employment but can demonstrate that freelance work remains their primary source of income and professional activity. Decisions are made on an individual basis, and in the event of inconsistency, the Constitutional wording prevails.
Membership is open to applicants residing within the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region, as well as applicants residing outside the SADC region, provided they derive freelance income from clients based within the SADC region.
All applications will be evaluated by the evaluation committee. A membership category will be assigned to an application by the evaluation committee.
Membership Categories
A person who generates most of their income from freelancing and who is not employed and does not own a company that employs other people.
A person whose primary source of income is employment, and who also undertakes freelance work in the media and communications field from which they derive a secondary or supplementary income.
A person who is registered for full-time studies in the media and communications field at an accredited institution of learning. The applicant must furnish a registration certificate, which states the period for which the student is registered.
Student membership is valid for only one year, after which the member will need to re-apply, unless the student member furnishes a new and valid registration certificate to the executive administrator at least 30 days before the expiry date, provided that the fees for the next year are also paid at that time.
A person who is not employed, does not have a client base as yet, and is still exploring the field of freelancing, or a person not employed, exploring freelancing, and new to the field of media and communications.
Provisional membership is valid for only one year, after which the member must re-apply.
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Membership of this category is by invitation only to retired individuals in recognition of their past contributions to the media and communications industry. It is conferred at the discretion of the Board.
Membership fees, -rights and -benefits
| Full Member | Associate Member | Student Member | Provisional Member Tier 1 | Provisional Member Tier 2 | Emeritus Member | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees per annum | R600 | R500 | R250 | R150 | R400 | R0 |
| Access to practical, work-related skills development via the professional development programme | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ |
| Access to business coaching, i.e. Webinars | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ |
| Access to networking events (i.e. opportunities to meet prospective clients) | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ |
| Has voting rights at the Annual General Meeting | ⚫ | |||||
| Can be nominated and elected for the Board and / or the Advisory Committee, subject to additional criteria being met | ⚫ | ⚫ |
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| Can be nominated to serve on subcommittees | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ |
| Receives a listing on Safrea’s database of freelancers on its website | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ |
| Qualifies for a Safrea Media Card (at additional cost) | ⚫ | |||||
| Access to the Safrea Google Group and Safrea WhatsApp Community | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ |
| Access to use specific software (specific criteria applies) | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | |
| Access to resources on website | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ | ⚫ |
Special dispensation for learning institutions:
- 10 Student members – 10% discount
- 15 student members – 15% discount
- 20 student members – 20% discount
Membership application process
Applications must be done via the online system – CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW.
- Applications will require a non-refundable administration fee of R150. This will be offset against the annual fee if the application is accepted. See banking details below.
- Your completed application will be assigned to the evaluation committee. The evaluation committee may request additional information from the applicant. The applicant must respond within 7 days. If no response has been received, the application may be declined.
- Unless there are additional queries from the evaluation committee, you will be informed of the outcome within 14 days of your application.
- Rejections are issued via an automated message via the website. Acceptance letters are issued via our accounting system with a letter attached to the invoice. Payment must be received within 30 days, failing which approval lapses.
- Once you have paid, your application will be approved on the website, added to the WhatsApp community and Google group.
- Provisional and student members will be notified 30 days before the expiry date to either re-apply or send their required information to the executive administrator.
Membership payments:
- Renewal invoices will be sent 30 days before membership expiry date.
- Statements are sent out twice per month.
- Renewal emails are sent once a month to members:
- whose membership is about to expire;
- whose membership expired and are 30 days in arrears;
- whose membership expired and are 60 days in arrears.
Safrea will allow for a 60-day grace period after expiry date of the membership, after which the membership will be cancelled.
Before you apply
The application form will request for the following:
- Indicate which of the following disciplines best describe your freelance specialties. Only mark those disciplines for which you have proven training and/or experience as per the list above.
- Please provide a link to your published work and/or portfolio (if you cannot provide a link, please list your clients or projects). Please include your training pertaining to the disciplines you marked above.
- Please upload your CV. Ensure that your CV includes relevant training and experience pertaining to the disciplines you marked above.
- Please attach proof of payment of the R150 admin fee.
- If you are a student, please attach proof of current enrolment at an accredited educational institution.
Inclusion of SAPP (South African Professional Photographers) and SASJA (South African Science Journalists Association) in the above categories
- SASJA (Science media practitioners) and SAPP (Photographers) are specialist groups within Safrea.
- Applications to join these specialist groups are assessed by the relevant group, as they are best placed to evaluate the specific professional criteria and qualifications required. Final membership approval remains subject to Safrea’s overall membership processes and confirmation of payment.
- If you are a science journalist or a science media practitioner, and you wish to apply to SASJA, then please upload your motivation, referral letter and at least 3 work samples.
- If you are a photographer, if you wish to apply to SAPP, then please upload a portfolio of no more than 15 electronic examples of your work (or a link to your portfolio), 3 supporting documents, showing you have worked with clients and confirmation that you have been earning the bulk of your income as a working professional photographer for at least two years here.
Banking details:
Bank: Standard Bank
Account holder: THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN FREELANCERS ASSOCIATION
ID/Reg Number: 114297NPO
Account type: MARKETLINK
Account number: 00 387 888 0
Branch: CRESTA
Branch code: 044139
SWIFT code: SBZAZAJJ