2007 to 2009
In 2007, I was elected chairman of the Boland Falconry Club (BFC). Upon taking on this role, it became evident that we needed to establish formal administrative systems and processes. While managing a small club with just a few members had been relatively straightforward, we needed to adapt our systems to support our growth. Shortly after my election, we faced our first significant challenge. A complaint was lodged by a neighbour regarding one of our members who was keeping raptors in unsuitable conditions. This complaint, which included photographs, was submitted to the SPCA, forwarded to the Cape Falconry Club (CFC), and eventually communicated to the BFC. This incident marked the first of its kind and underscored the necessity to update the BFC’s disciplinary code, as our existing informal disciplinary procedures were inadequate. Fortunately, the situation was ultimately resolved.
My body corporate management involvement daily, interpreting statutes, combined with family legal expertise, was crucial for evaluating the BFC’s Statutes (Constitution, Rules, and Regulations). Our detailed review revealed that South African falconry clubs operate as legal entities, unlike social clubs internationally, because raptors are legally protected under CapeNature’s (CN) oversight. This creates a unique situation where falconry, though technically an illegal hunting method, is permitted under specific conditions. Given CN’s delegated authority to the BFC, transparency and trust were essential. We addressed the complexities based on legal advice, emphasizing fairness, transparency, representation, accountability, and responsibility, and recognizing that members are bound only by BFC Statutes. We were also alerted to a potential conflict of interest arising from CN permitting an illegal hunting method under controlled conditions. Consequently, we overhauled the BFC Disciplinary Code and instituted a membership agreement to define the club/member relationship legally. The reason these steps were necessary was that since the legalization of falconry in the Western Cape, Cape Nature (CN) allowed self-governance, meaning they were entrusted with the governance and discipline of their members; thus, to ensure member compliance, measures had to be implemented to ensure the trusted partnership remains intact.
Despite the BFC being established in 2003, the BFC only became a member of SAFA in 2008. In early 2008, when hybrid falcons from breeder James Buttle (Gyr-Tec) became available, several falconers, including myself, purchased gyr/peregrine/saker hybrids. Mr Buttle was relocating his raptor breeding to the UK. The subsequent rumours and criticism directed at Mr. Buttle, mainly from regional falconer breeders, reaffirmed the concern that few want to control the SA falconry narrative. Still, when the opportunity and means were there to submit their “concerns”, no one submitted any official concerns and/or complaints to the designated conservation authorities. In validation of my purchase and the lessons previously learnt, it was confirmed that Gyr-Tec was in good standing with the conservation authorities. So were these legitimate concerns/or merely competitive jealousy? Often, conservationists refer to the “falconry cult”, was this a sign and symptom there off?
In 2009, we set up the BFC website (www.bolandfalconryclub.co.za), providing members with easy access to club information. The South African Falconry Association (SAFA) approached us, and after I set up the SAFA website for free, personally covering the monthly hosting fees. This period marked a significant transition for the BFC, as we implemented vital changes to our statutes and governance, paving the way for a more transparent and responsible future club.
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