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vEtERANS tAlES

African Air Force Association and he
THE SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE served as the first SAAFA National Presi-
dent, guiding the Association through its
ASSOCIATION formative years

An initial meeting was held in Johannes-
SAAFA is an all-ranks Association burg on 11 December 1944. Many distin-
formed to perpetuate a tradition of com- guished airmen were present to be elected
radeship, knowing no distinction of race, as committee members. A draft Con-
language, gender or creed, which has de- stitution was discussed and approved.
veloped over the years among members Principles, objectives and projects were
of the South African Air Force tabled and discussed. The first SAAFA
meeting was held at the Inanda Club on
The Association shall be democratic and 26 January 1945, which date is recognised
non-sectarian and shall be non-partisan Colonel Rod Douglas, a veteran of the as the founding date of the Association.
in relation to party politics 1914-1918 Great War, started the Christ At an Executive Meeting held on 24 April
mas Cheer Fund during, whilst serving as 1945, Branches were approved in Johan-
SAAFA History a senior staff officer at Air Force Head- nesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria,
One finds very little documented infor- quarters. This fund ensured that all SAAF Benoni and Windhoek. The first annual
mation on the establishment of the SAAF Squadrons and Units serving beyond National Congress was held in Johannes-
Association. The original concept, formu- the borders of South Africa would be burg on 15 June 1946.
lated in late 1944 was threefold; treated to a sumptuous lunch or dinner
on Christmas day. Generous donations Over the years, Branches were formed in
- To continue the spirit and ca- to this cause were received from SAAF cities and towns throughout South Afri-
maraderie of the South African Air Force Units remaining in South Africa. ca, some of which have since closed due
generated during World War II to employment, residential and retire-
Colonel Douglas had experienced the ment dynamics. At present, Branches ex-
- To perpetuate the memory of aftermath of World War I with the plight ist in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban,
all brave Air Force men and women who of the widows, children and demobilised East Rand, Johannesburg, Kimberley,
made the supreme sacrifice for their airmen. He wished to ensure that this Lower South Coast (Port Shepstone/Mar-
country did not happen again when World War II gate), Lowveld (Hoedspruit), Outeniqua
hostilities ceased. To this end, he gath- (George), Port Alfred, Port Elizabeth,
- And in particular to assist with ered a group of like-minded airmen and Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Soutpansberg
the welfare and support their widows and set about creating the South African Air (Makhado), Stilfontein, Whale Coast
children Force Association. Colonel Rod Douglas (Hermanus) and Weskus (Langebaan).
is considered as the founder of the South In addition, there is a SAAFA satellite
Branch in Dubai, UAE.

Close links are maintained with the South
African Korean War Veterans Associa-
tion, the Royal Air Forces Association,
the Royal Air Force Officers’ Club, the
Warsaw Flights Commemoration Organ-
ising Committee, the Alpine 44 Club and
the Council of Military Veterans Organi-
sations (CMVO).

As had been anticipated, soon after the
end of World War II the SAAF Associ-
ation found itself involved in numerous
support projects, many of which continue
to this day, most notably that of Benevo-
lence.

Many children of Air Force members

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