As per the PSSA Standards Handbook
PSSA is an officially recognised body representing photographers in South Africa.
PSSA is a company registered with the Registrar of Companies of South Africa. The management of PSSA is therefore governed by the South Africa Company’s Act.
Founding of PSSA
The late Rev. Dr A.D. (Kin) Bensusan was the driving force behind the founding of PSSA. Kin contacted the leading photographers of the time and held several meetings in order to gain support for the formation of a national photographic society, “to unite all persons interested in the promotion and science of photography”.
PSSA was to be registered in terms of the Companies Act, as a non-profit making body in the public interest, under section 21 of the Act. An attorney, Bob Murray and a chartered accountant, Brian Penny, who incidentally was also Chairman of the Krugersdorp Photographic Society, drafted the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which were required when registering a body such as ours.
This Memorandum and Articles of Association was then signed by about a dozen leading photographers in different parts of the country and it was agreed to hold a congress of photography in Durban in July 1954 at which time the Photographic Society of Southern Africa was endorsed. The first board of Directors was formally elected and Kin was appointed as the first President.
In 1978 PSSA was changed to a “Company not for Gain”. The new company’s act of 1973 made provision for a “company not for gain”, which was better suited to PSSA’s purposes.
In 2008 the name changed to the Photographic Society of South Africa.
In 2011 a new company’s act came into effect and our Memorandum and Articles of Association have now been replaced with the Memorandum of Incorporation. This is, in effect, our Constitution.
PSSA Vision
The Photographic Society of South Africa aims to be the pre-eminent, internationally recognised, photographic society in South Africa serving the photographic community of South Africa.
PSSA Mission
PSSA aims to:-
- bring together all people interested in photography by providing and supporting platforms which enable members to enjoy and grow their photography
- provide the opportunity for members to grow their individual photographic abilities
- promote the highest possible standards of photography
- embrace the future of photography while continually supporting the present
- promote the interests of photography in all aspects amongst all its members
PSSA Values Statement
1. The PSSA and its members are committed to professional conduct and high ethical values in all its activities.
2. The PSSA is committed to the highest levels of integrity. It will endeavour to protect all photographers’ copyrights and is against plagiarism in any form.
3. The PSSA supports the creation of original work and does not allow the use of any material that is not the photographer’s own work to be used in any images submitted to PSSA Competitions, Honours selections or any other events sanctioned by PSSA.
4. The PSSA will not discriminate against any person for any reason.
5. The PSSA is committed to perform its activities in a pleasant, relaxed and supportive environment in which everyone has the opportunity of using their skills to the utmost advantage, thereby realising their photographic ideals.
6. The PSSA is committed to maintaining a culture of harmony amongst members, notwithstanding members holding individual viewpoints and / or having different preferences.
7. The PSSA is committed to a culture of respect, integrity, care and support amongst members, with appreciation for other members’ unique circumstances as well as for their photographic and financial capabilities.
8. The PSSA is committed to creating an environment in which members are willing to raise and debate alternative views, solutions, and proposals to ensure open communication, with a view to finding a middle path, with optimal decisions and results.
9. The PSSA is committed to leading with courage and serving the members with pride.
10. The PSSA is committed to respecting all people, environments and communities with which the PSSA and its members interact.
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