South African Falconry
Background and early History
Since gaining independence from the British Empire on 31 May 1961 and becoming a republic, South Africa was initially geographically divided into four provinces. With the new political dispensation in 1994, the country was re-divided into nine provinces. The 9 provinces are Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, and Western Cape. Each province is governed by its own conservation authority. In short each province has its own falconry club that it is managed as directed by their conservation authority.
Research indicates a fairly active falconry community as early as the 1950s. Mr. Roy Demont, who served as Chairman of the Natal Falconry Club from 1983 to 1986, began his involvement with Falconry in 1952 and joined the South African Falconry Club when it was established in 1953 under Rudi de Wet’s chairmanship. The SAFC also published a journal, “The South African Falconer,” of which Roy provided three back issues. One issue lists the names of 24 falconers, including Roy, and celebrates the club’s first anniversary on July 1, 1954.
There is little documentation on the history of falconry in Southern Africa. The historical versions presented cannot be accepted as complete as often new information surfaces that shows not all falconers and their activities were connected.
Given the backgrounds of many early settlers, it is unlikely that falconry ever gained a large following. However, it is probable that there has always been someone with a trained hawk since at least the mid-17th century. Falconry is neither a team sport nor a group activity; those who are drawn to hawks tend to be somewhat solitary individuals. Both locally and internationally, falconry has never been heavily club- or organization-focused. Even prominent falconry clubs like the Old Hawking Club of Great Britain or the Loo Hawking Club of Holland had few active members, despite attracting large numbers of spectators
Many falconry clubs had short lifespans, often due to conflicts among their strongly individualistic members. As a result, falconry usually involved just the falconer and a few friends, a trend that largely continues today. Consequently, falconry is often overlooked in the social histories of countries unless it has broader societal significance (as in the Middle East) or is seen as a link to traditions. Neither of these conditions applies to Southern Africa, so there is little record of falconry activity before World War 2. A falconry club in South Africa is not a social club, instead, it is considered a legal person, whilst its members are natural persons.
Given the backgrounds of many early settlers, it is unlikely that falconry ever gained a large following. However, it is probable that there has always been someone with a trained hawk since at least the mid-17th century. Falconry is neither a team sport nor a group activity; those who are drawn to hawks tend to be somewhat solitary individuals. Both locally and internationally, falconry has never been heavily club- or organization-focused. Even prominent falconry clubs like the Old Hawking Club of Great Britain or the Loo Hawking Club of Holland had few active members, despite attracting large numbers of spectators. Many falconry clubs had short lifespans, often due to conflicts among their strongly individualistic members. As a result, falconry usually involved just the falconer and a few friends, a trend that largely continues today.
The earliest known record of falconry in southern Africa involves H. von Michaelis, a German immigrant who settled in the Cape Province in 1937 and published “Birds of the Gauntlet” in 1952. Rudi de Wet became involved in falconry in 1945 and joined the Transvaal Falconry Club in 1987. His interest in falconry was sparked by references he encountered while studying Chinese in preparation for missionary work in China. Rudi later founded the South African Falconry Club, the earliest documented formal club in South Africa.
The precise end of the SAFC remains undocumented, but it seems to have ceased operations by the mid-1950s. By 1955, a young Paul Venter, already involved in falconry, was unaware of its existence.
This period marked the beginning of new connections that would shape the future of the sport in South Africa.
In 1955, the 16-year-old Paul Venter’s association with Carel van der Merwe, a student at the Johannesburg Art School, led him to meet fellow artists and falconry enthusiasts Ray Black and Roger Nielson. This introduction further connected him with another artist, Rudi de Wet.
The late 1950s saw Paul’s involvement deepen. In 1957, he shared a cottage in Randburg with Jack Stuhler, and together they flew hawks. His professional life also brought him into contact with Bert Brooklyn and Des Prout-Jones. Later, a transfer to Rhodes Park Swimming Pool provided an opportunity for Paul to introduce Colin Williams and Quinton Chambers to the art of falconry. This growing network eventually led Paul and Jack to formally establish the Transvaal Falconry Association in 1970.
In the Western Cape, Saturday 2 September 1961 an article was published in the Cape Argus, titled ” The Sport of Falconry-Vermin Beware” an article on John Visser and his eagles. John Visser was a wildlife exporter and as per his account falconry was not illegal, only the captivity of raptors, where a permit was required.
Before this formalization, in October 1964, Paul and Rudi initiated an informal nationwide group known as The Gauntlet and Lure. This unique association operated on an invitation-only basis, with no membership fees. Instead, active participation was maintained through contributions to the G&L newsletter – a testament to the community’s shared passion and knowledge. The Gauntlet and Lure fostered connection amongst falconers across South Africa until June 1973.
Zimbabwean falconry
Falconry in the old Rhodesia had a loyal following, which transitioned with the independence of Rhodesia to the new Zimbabwe. Discover more with falconry in Zimbabwe.
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