"Economics of Wildlife Conservation"
On behalf of PHASA (Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa), it is a great honour and privilege to invite you to South Africa to attend the 59th CIC General Assembly from 8 to 11 May 2012. You will be hosted in our mother city of Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
The PHASA Executive Committee, our efficient office staff, our CEO and I are excited and honoured to be arranging your General Assembly in Cape Town. We are confident that, with the assistance of your qualified and highly experienced CIC staff, this event will be a resounding success. PHASA members are looking forward to hosting many of you on hunting safaris either before or after the General Assembly and are determined to provide you with brilliant service, excellent safaris and wonderful memories of South Africa to take back home.
PHASA celebrated its 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November this year. We were delighted to have enjoyed the company of your President and CEO at this event and wish to thank them for taking the time to join our PHASA family. PHASA is the recognised mouthpiece for trophy hunting in South Africa. We are respected and highly regarded by our Government and our members entrust us with protecting our precious industry as a whole. PHASA members are proud of this association’s history and all it has done to safeguard our passion for the outdoors and wildlife of our magnificent country. I am truly honoured to fulfil the role as PHASA President for the next two years and look forward to continue the good work that this association has done for more than three decades.
PHASA supports the conservation and ecologically sustainable development and utilisation of natural resources, for the benefit of current and future generations, through the promotion of responsible hunting. PHASA members wholeheartedly support our slogan: “Responsible hunting through sustainable life and livelihoods”. They also adhere to the association’s Constitution and especially the strict code of conduct.
The PHASA Conservation & Empowerment Fund plays a very special and valuable role in reaching many of the association’s objectives. Over the last few years the annual Heritage Gala Banquet and the Conservation Fund have raised in excess of E750 000 for rhino anti- poaching projects, research projects and the social advancement of the previously disadvantaged people of Southern Africa who are involved in wildlife conservation. Our sincere thanks go to all the outfitters and professional hunters and their clients as well as our valued sponsors for contributing to this great cause. PHASA is making a difference in South Africa and we aim to grow this and achieve more each year.
Hunting clients coming to South Africa inject US$1 billion into our economy each year. It is known that 12 to 14 households in poor and rural areas benefit directly from each foreign trophy hunter entering South Africa. Trophy hunting plays a major role in creating employment in South Africa, which then spins off to enable people to provide for their families, thereby creating an awareness of wildlife conservation and the protection our precious heritage.
South Africa is a world in one country. There is much to see and do and all nine of our provinces, through PHASA members, offer fabulous hunting opportunities to the international hunting community. Cape Town alone has a multitude of activities that delegates can enjoy, along with some breathtaking scenery, superb restaurants, historic and cultural sights and some fabulous shopping.
This website provides you with frequently updated, relevant information about the 59th CIC General Assembly. We look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town and assure you of only the best personal service!
Yours sincerely
Hans Vermaak
PHASA President
