How to become a member

WHO QUALIFIES FOR MEMBERSHIP?

Membership is open to any freelance media professional in Southern Africa who specialises in the gathering and dissemination of news, information and/or images. Such a person may work in the print, electronic or digital fields, including newspapers, magazines, newsletters, business reports, radio, television and the internet.

They include:

  • journalists
  • fiction and non-fiction authors
  • photographers
  • photojournalist
  • graphic designers
  • illustrators
  • translators
  • editors or sub-editors
  • proofreaders
  • researchers
  • broadcasters
  • project managers
  • web designers and content specialists
  • DTP experts
  • voice-over artists
  • scriptwriters
  • indexers

 

WHICH MEMBERSHIP TYPE IS RIGHT FOR ME?

SAFREA currently has six types of membership available. If you are unsure of which membership type to choose or consider yourself a suitable candidate for Corporate membership, please contact the SAFREA executive administrator at admin@safrea.co.za to assist you in this process.

SAFREA will evaluate all membership applications for compliance with its mandate, vision and mission and in line with membership criteria as revised from time to time. SAFREA has the right to approve or reject such applications.

Full Members

Those who earn more than 60% of their annual billable income from freelancing in media and communications crafts. Such members will have full election and referendum voting rights and qualify for SAFREA Full Member media cards. Full members will be listed on SAFREA’s website.

Membership benefits comparison table

Associate Membership

These are full- or part-time employees earning less than 60% of their billable income from freelancing who must meet the same standards of professional ability required of a Full Member. These members enjoy the same benefits as Full members but are not eligible to vote in regional or national elections. They do qualify for SAFREA Associate Member media cards and may apply at an appropriate point to the national executive committee, or a body authorised by it, for recognition as a Full Member. Associate members will be listed on SAFREA’s website.

Membership benefits comparison table

Student Membership

If you are new to the media industry and are actively studying your chosen profession as a full-time registered student, either through a formal study course or through self-study, you can apply for Student membership.

Student membership is valid for the duration of the study course. On leaving the tertiary institution, Student members may upgrade to Full or Associate status provided they meet the requirements.

Student members are subject to vetting committee approval and must submit proof of full-time registration with a recognised training institution. Student members will be listed on SAFREA’s website.

Membership benefits comparison table

Provisional Membership

Provisional Members are those who intend on migrating into freelance media and need access technical resources, mentoring or training. Following the anniversary year of each Provisional Member’s joining, SAFREA shall evaluate each individual’s performance in terms of training completed and freelance media output.

Exco shall decide on whether that person’s provisional membership may be extended, upgraded to Full or Associate status, or terminated. Such members are not eligible to vote, nor will they qualify for SAFREA media cards.

Membership benefits comparison table

Affiliate Membership

These are ex-Safreans who have substantially contributed to the Association, or people assessed by Exco as being able to positively contribute to SAFREA’s objectives. Such members are not eligible to vote, nor will they qualify for SAFREA media cards or Members Directory listings.

Membership benefits comparison table

Corporate Membership

Corporations and other organisations that endorse SAFREA’s objectives will be entitled to advertise jobs, courses or training and have a link to SAFREA’s website. Although a membership fee is stated in the membership benefits comparison table, the actual fee will be negotiated on a case by case basis.

Membership benefits comparison table

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP?

SAFREA advocates for and supports freelance workers in the communications fields. We provide members with resources, tools, training and networking that helps strengthen freelance careers. While we provide a platform for freelance employers to connect with our members, SAFREA does not provide work for freelancers and is not an employment agency.

  • Membership of a professional body that addresses topical issues such as rates of pay, copyright and contracts
  • Belonging to an organisation that creates beneficial relationships between freelancers and their clients, through constructive negotiation, information exchange and agreed protocols
  • Online database of members accessible to anyone who could use freelance subcontractors
  • Members-only e-group for networking, discussion and sourcing information
  • Regular networking meetings with guest speakers
  • Opportunity for increased work
  • Skills upgrades and courses at reduced fees
  • Rates, terms and conditions guide
  • Immense knowledge base within the membership to call on
  • Support from other freelancers, via the Google Group, networking meetings, and one-to-one contact. Professional website that acts as a huge resource of information

Google group: Some members receive automatic access to the member-only e-group (check your chosen category below). You will start to receive emails from the group as soon as your payment has been processed. If you prefer, you can choose to receive a daily digest of emails or you can read the messages on the Google group website.

Profile on website: Members (other than Associates who are inexperienced and new to media) are entitled to a listing in the member directory on this website, which can be searched by name, area and fields of work. This is searchable by any visitor to the SAFREA website, so you should use it to sell yourself.

Media card: We no longer print media cards, but you may request a printable version to print the card yourself. To enable us to create your SAFREA media card, you will need to upload a portrait-style photograph to your profile on the SAFREA website. The media card shows your full name, your membership type and your membership expiry date, as well as your photograph.

Training: SAFREA offers all paid-up members discounted access to media and other training courses run by SAFREANs across South Africa and in diverse disciplines. Look for a coming update on the latest training and courses available or email us for more information.

Mentoring: Veteran/experienced Safreans make themselves available to mentor new Safreans in different ways: via the Google Group, informally via email or phone, in person or on an ongoing basis as part of a longer relationship. The details depend on both mentor and protégée and are agreed between them. If you would like to make yourself available as a mentor in your discipline, or if you would like to add yourself to the list of potential protégées, please email us.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR APPROVING MEMBERSHIPS?

When you submit your online application form, you will receive an automated email to confirm that your application is in progress. If we need further information from you, we will email within a few days to ask for specific documents or details. Once we have received any additional information, it will take 1-2 weeks for our membership committee to check your credentials and give approval.

Once approved, you will receive an automated email providing details of how and what to pay.

Once you have paid, you will receive a further automated email providing details of your membership benefits and how to login and access them. You will also receive notification of your SAFREA Google group membership and will begin to receive members-only emails.

If you are not sure which membership type is right for you and you have read the information on this page, apply as an Associate member and ask for clarification when you write about yourself on the application form.

Membership benefits comparison tables

Full Membership

Annual feeR500.00
Application

Must state in online application that he/she makes at least 60% of all billable income from freelancing.
Once approved, can pay in full.

Qualification requirements and vetting

Applicant's declaration that they receive at least 60% of their billable income from freelancing in media and communications. Subject to approval by vetting committee, Applicants must complete a 100 to 250-word biography in the appropriate online application field.

Access to members-only Google groupYes
Access to members-only resources on websiteYes
Access to meetingsYes
Access to discounted training negotiated by SAFREAYes
Personal profile on websiteYes
Renewable after first year?Yes
Membership/media cardIncluded
Voting rightsYes

Associate Membership

Annual feeR500.00
Application

Must apply online. Applicants must state in their biography whether or not they earn money from freelancing.

Qualification requirements and vetting

Associate members are subject to vetting committee approval and must meet similar standards of professional ability to those required of a Full member. They must complete a 100 to 250-word biography in the appropriate online application field.

Access to members-only Google groupYes
Access to members-only resources on websiteYes
Access to meetingsYes
Access to discounted training negotiated by SAFREAYes
Personal profile on websiteYes
Renewable after first year?Yes
Membership/media cardincluded
Voting rightsNo

Student Membership

Annual feeR150.00
Application

Must apply online and provide a biography of at least 150 words.

Qualification requirements and vetting

Must submit documentation proving full-time registered student status with a recognised tertiary institution and studying towards a degree or diploma.

Access to members-only Google groupYes
Access to members-only resources on websiteYes
Access to meetingsYes
Access to discounted training negotiated by SAFREAYes
Personal profile on websiteYes
Renewable after first year?Yes
Membership/media cardYes
Voting rightsNo

Corporate Membership

Annual feeR1,500.00
Application

Qualification requirements and vetting

Supporters of SAFREA to be granted advertising rights.

Access to members-only Google groupYes
Access to members-only resources on websiteYes
Access to meetingsNo
Access to discounted training negotiated by SAFREANo
Personal profile on websiteYes
Renewable after first year?Yes
Membership/media card
Voting rightsNo

HOW DO I JOIN?

Ready to join? Just hit the button below, and remember to select the type of membership that's right for you!

Please remember that while we provide a platform for freelance employers to connect and engage with our members, SAFREA is not an employment agency. We do offer advice and share news of any jobs that we hear about, but our primary goal is to build a flourishing community of successful media freelancers in Southern Africa.

SAFREA is a Registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 114-297).
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