THE MEMBERS

Our MEMBER SOCIETIES are:

The South African Society of Artists (SASA): “Since its inception in 1902, the South African Society of Artists has had an enormous influence on local art development and appreciation. The society currently comprises over 450 members, and is headed by a Council of 10 members, all of whom have their particular portfolios. Many members also volunteer their help in organizing and running the exhibitions and other events. A number of nationalities are represented amongst our members who contribute to a varied and interesting mix of cultures, ideas and talents.” Visit their website www.sasa-artists.co.za for further information. They meet on the LAST THURSDAY of every month.

The Cape Horticultural Society (CHS): “The Cape Horticultural Society, founded in 1903, was established to encourage, improve and extend the cultivation and decorative arrangement of flowers, shrubs, vegetables and other plants by arranging lectures, exhibitions and other activities. It continues to this day, encouraging and improving the knowledge of members in all things horticultural in providing a forum for professional, experienced and amateur gardeners to meet like-minded people who want to share knowledge and learn about gardening and ecology and to promote botanical diversity.” Visit their website www.capehorticulturalsociety.co.za for further information or contact the Secretary at info@capehorticulturalsociety.co.za.  Follow the CHS on Face Book. They meet on the FIRST MONDAY of the month.

The SA Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE): “The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, formed in 1909, has grown to the extent that there are approximately 6000 members on its membership roll. Members are professionally engaged in the full range of engineering activities, including academic research, manufacturing, electronics, telecommunications, measurement and control, mining, and power infra-structural services. They make meaningful contributions of the quality of life to the community and to the steady advancement of technology. Their efforts are acknowledged in many countries of the world. The Institute contributes to the common interests and welfare of the whole engineering fraternity through close co-operation with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Visit their website www.saiee.org.za  for further information. The SAIEE holds the AGM of its local branch here.

The Royal Philatelic Society of Cape Town (RPSCT): “Founded as the ‘Cape Town Philatelic and Exchange Club’ on 3rd May, 1911, we became the ‘Royal’ in August, 1953 and have met at the Cape Town Athenaeum since 1973.” Meetings are held in the aftternoons. The Cape Town Athenaeum hosts the Society’s extensive philatelic library. Meetings are open to all interested in philately.
Details may be found on their website https://stampssa.africa/rpsct/home.
They meet on the SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS of the month (except December, when only on the 2nd Monday).

The Cape Orchid Society (COS): “Founded in 1957, the Cape Orchid Society is the oldest in South Africa  and strives to bring together those interested in orchids in order to promote and encourage the culture, preservation, propagation and hybridization of orchids, as well as to educate and provide a base for all other orchid-related activities to its members.” Visit their website www.capeorchidsociety.co.za for further information.  They meet every FOURTH TUESDAY of the month.

The Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa (VASSA): “Vernacular Architecture is defined as ‘Building in indigenous styles, constructed from locally available materials, following traditional building practice and patterns, and not architect–designed.'” Visit their website www.vassa.org.za for further information. They meet on the THIRD TUESDAY of every month.

SA Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE): “SAICE is the Learned Society and professional home for almost 8000 civil engineers, technologists and technicians. The Institution provides a variety of services including: continued professional development for its members, interactive networking with and among all stakeholders and participants in the profession and the industry, the development of technical guidelines and documentation, community outreach programmes to society through career guidance, awareness campaigns and capacity building for decision makers, support and input to central government regarding legislation concerning all aspects of civil engineering, promotion and upholding of appropriate standards and an ethical approach.” The Western Cape branch of the SAICE meets on an ad hoc basis at the Cape Town Athenaeum to host various talks/lectures in the evenings and information can be found on www.saicewc.co.za. Visit www.civils.org.za for information on a national level.

The Ohara School of Ikebana: Ikebana, which means “living flowers”, is the Japanese art of flower arranging. It is one of the traditional Japanese arts and has been practiced for more than six hundred years.  Ikebana developed from the Buddhist ritual of offering flowers to the spirits of the dead.  The first teachers were priests and members of nobility.  As time passed, many schools arose, styles changed and now Ikebana is practiced at all levels of Japanese society.

It is a disciplined art form where nature and humanity are brought together.

Unshin Ohara founded the Ohara School of Ikebana in the late 19^th century, with the main offices in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe.  There are over 158 chapters in Japan as well as 56 chapters and 34 study groups outside of Japan.  The Cape Town Study group meets every second Thursday of the month.

Visit their website:  www.ohararyu.or.jp for further information on the school. For information on the Cape Town study group contact Belinda Soboil at belinda@bellaflowers.co.za

Cape Town Psychoanalytic Self and Relational Psychology Group:  “The CTPSPG is a non-profit professional association. We are devoted to advancing the theoretical and clinical understanding and development of contemporary Self Psychology and Relational Psychoanalysis.  We were constituted in 1992 by a small group of clinical psychologists and psychoanalytic psychotherapists who were looking for human, non-judgemental ways of  working psychotherapeutically. Self Psychology, as formulated by Heinz Kohut, places a person’s self experience at the centre of psychoanalytic inquiry. With its emphasis on empathic attunement, the therapist attempts to understand clients from within their own emotional world. In more recent years, the theoretical and clinical focus of the CTPSPG has expanded to include Intersubjectivity Theory and Relational Theory.

“Our purpose is to provide a supportive and vibrant home for clinicians who are interested in Self Psychology and Relational Psychoanalysis to read, think about and discuss theoretical ideas and clinical psychotherapeutic practice.  We hold our Society Meetings once a month at the Athenaeum on the last Thursday of the month, open to all CTPSPG members. We also have several smaller reading groups which meet elsewhere. We are accredited by the HPCSA as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provider.”

The Historical Society of Cape Town meets every second WEDNESDAY.

Breakfast Club Toastmasters meet on the second and fourth WEDNESDAY morning of the month.

Helen O’Grady Academy holds classes every WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY.

JB Dance holds classes every TUESDAY and SATURDAY.