SAEF Newsflash No. 2
Each week we will profile members of the SAEF team. This week we will begin introducing the SAEF EXCO to you. The SAEF Executive will be increased by another four members at the SGM which will take place later this year.
SAEF PRESIDENT – ANDRE TRUTER
Andre Brahm Truter, a Real Estate Agent for the family business on the West Coast, hails from the Western Cape. Very much a family man he has been happily married for almost 25 years to his dear wife Sheena .They have two children; Andre John who is in his 3rd year studying BA Law at the University of Stellenbosch, and Rebecca Grace who is in matric. Both Andre’s are “horsey” needing much support and patience from the two ladies in his life.
Andre attributes his achievements to the undying support of his family.
Andre started riding when he was about 4. He joined the SAPS Mounted Unit in Pretoria in 1988. Thereafter he joined the Stock Theft Unit at Bushmansnek Border Post, on the Lesotho and RSA border and did many cross border follow ups, often on horseback. He started playing polocrosse in 1991 at Kargs Post in Southern KZN and represented KZN at the Fauriesmith 200km Endurance ride in 2008, 2009 and Captained the Heavy Weight Team in 2010 which won a bronze medal..
After a terrible back injury which cut short his polocrosse career, Andre does not presently have as much time as he would like to ride or compete, but he enjoys doing a bit of Endurance riding and is also keen to try his hand at some of the Western codes.
His favorite moments are still to ride his horse in nature – he loves the wide open spaces!!
Andre brings a refreshing down to earth leadership to the team and was a popular and unanimous choice as the SAEF President – supported by all the Discipline Associations and Provinces alike.
SAEF CONSTITUTION – THE NEXT STEPS
Now that the date for public comment is closed, the comments and suggestions received will be considered..
The revised constitution will be circulated to the Discipline Associations for comment and to SASCOC.
An SGM will now be called to adopt this constitution as well as elect the rest of the SAEF Executive Committee. Notice will be given and distributed via the Discipline Associations.
SOCIAL MEDIA – STOP AND THINK!
We all understand and respect freedom of speech, but there is a clear line between voicing an opinion and being derogatory and rabble rousing on a public platform.
SASCOC have been very clear on how we should be dealing with this behavior and practice and have instructed us to suspend anyone crossing the line.
We therefore encourage everyone to take advantage of the process for dealing with issues you may have – contact your club, Provincial Discipline chair, or if still no resolution– your National Discipline President. If you feel that you have exhausted all of you options without the matter being resolved, you may contact the SAEF (Secretary General). Failing everything and being able to show that you have exhausted the process, you may then contact SASCOC.
Please remember that all complaints must be in writing
This is your sport please don’t destroy it with negativity. Rather be part of the solution and not part of the problem
THE AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS RESEARCH LEVY … HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE SPENT
The Equine Health Fund (Wits University) and Equine Research Centre (University of Pretoria) welcome the effort by the SAEF and its Discipline Associations to initiate a contribution to our efforts to improve control of major infectious diseases affecting the well being of South African horses. Equine research has previously been entirely funded by the racing industry, while all South African horses in fact benefit from this investment.
The main aim with maintaining and scaling the activities of the Equine Health Fund and Research is to improve the control of disease in South Africa. As such, on-going disease surveillance is of paramount importance if we are to better understand and control diseases such as African horse sickness, Equine Influenza etc, some of which can have devastating effects on our beloved horses, not to mention the industry as a whole. The funds received from SAEF levies will go directly towards the surveillance expenses. Receiving such funds will also assist the Equine Health Fund to secure matching funds from the Department of Science and Technology, and the industry as a whole.
EHF therefore thanks SAEF, the DA’s and their members for ‘leading by example’, as we feel certain that other sectors of the SA horse industry will follow your lead.
