Very little is known about indigenous orchids by the public who are largely unaware that there are just under 500 species of which 45 are endemic (only occur in South Africa). Very little research has been carried out regarding ecology, conservation and propagation although a number of species have become extinct and habitat destruction is progressing at an alarming rate. Up until now there has been no attempt to address these issues on a National scale and Provincial legislation and cooperation is fragmented. Only through a focused National integrated effort that engages the public and all roll players will survival of orchids be assured.
1.1 The organisation hereby constituted is known as, WILD ORCHIDS SOUTHERN AFRICA (WOSA), operating in the Republic of South Africa.
2.1 “ WO Chapter” – a member or group of members who have come together to form a Wild Orchid Chapter to identify and monitor indigenous orchid sites.
2.2 "EXCO" - the executive committee of WOSA.
2.3 “General Meeting” – an Annual General meeting or a Special General Meeting.
2.4 "member" - a person who has applied for membership in writing and whose membership has been approved by EXCO.
2.5 "member in good standing" - a member who has paid his fees in full.
2.6 "notice" - communication to members either personally, by post, electronically, or other appropriate means. Notice shall be deemed to be effected if properly addressed, prepaid and posted or sent by electronic means.
2.7 "office bearer" – a member who has been elected to serve on EXCO. It shall include the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and the elected members.
2.8 "employee” - paid individuals who have been employed by EXCO.
2.9 "sub-committee" - a group of people appointed by EXCO to perform a specific task or project.
2.10 "written” or “in writing" - handwritten, typewritten, printed, or reproduced by any electronic means or system.
2.11 words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender and vice versa.
2.12 Words importing singular include plural.
WOSA shall be a juristic persona capable of:
3.1 existing in its own right separately from its members.
3.2 owning property and other possessions in its own name.
3.3 suing and being sued in its own name.
3.4 continuing to exist even when it’s membership changes and there are different office bearers.
To conserve southern African indigenous orchids in their natural habitat as well as in other suitable locations such as Botanical gardens and conservancy areas.
To engender a real interest in indigenous orchids which will render them valuable and worthy of protection.
The principal object of WOSA is to carry on one or more public benefit activities as defined in section 30(1) of the Income Tax Act in a non-profit manner and with an altruistic or philanthropic intent.
6.1 Preservation.
6.2 Propagation.
6.3 Education.
6.4 Wild Orchid Chapters and National Orchid Database
WO Chapters are an essential element of the WOSA Conservation Programme and will be used to:
7.1 Membership of WOSA shall be open to all persons and other legal entities interested in preserving and protecting indigenous orchids.
7.2 The Executive Committee ( EXCO ) may create different categories of membership.
7.3 Applications for each category of membership shall be decided upon in the manner prescribed by EXCO from time to time.
7.4 EXCO may from time to time prescribe membership fees, subscriptions or other levies pertaining to the various categories or classes of membership.
7.5 Membership fees shall be renewable annually on 1 July each year. Membership may be terminated if the annual subscription has not been paid within 1 month of the renewal date.
7.6 EXCO may appoint Honorary Members, Life Members, or Patrons who shall not be obliged to pay subscriptions.
7.7 Members may come together to form a Chapter to promote the Objectives of WOSA provided that such Chapters are registered by WOSA. A record of all Chapters shall be kept by the Secretary.
8.1 Any member may at any time resign his membership of WOSA by giving written notice in writing to the secretary. Any fees paid or part thereof shall be forfeited.
8.2 Should any member behave contrary to the objectives of WOSA or in such a way that brings WOSA into disrepute, a sub-committee shall be appointed by EXCO to conduct a hearing into such behaviour.
8.3 The sub committee appointed by EXCO shall hear all parties concerned and shall consider all evidence which relates to the behaviour.
8.4 After hearing all parties and considering all evidence the sub-committee may impose a penalty which in its view, is appropriate. Such a penalty may include, but is not limited to, a suspension of membership for a defined period or the termination of membership.
8.5 A member who has been found guilty of behaviour which is contrary to the objectives of WOSA or which has brought WOSA into disrepute may lodge an appeal against the finding of the sub-committee and/or the penalty imposed on him by the sub-committee to EXCO.
8.6 An appeal against the decision of the sub-committee must be lodged in writing, with the secretary within 14 (fourteen) days of the decision being made known to the member concerned.
8.7 EXCO shall consider the appeal and shall either uphold the appeal or dismiss the appeal. EXCO may, in its sole discretion, replace the original penalty with another which it believes is more appropriate.
8.8 No person who has been dealt with in terms of this disciplinary procedure shall have any claim for damages or otherwise against the sub-committee, EXCO, WOSA or any member, in respect thereof.
9.1 WOSA shall be administered by an Executive Committee, (EXCO ) consisting of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and at least two additional executive members. Other members may be co- opted to serve on sub-committees.
9.2 Office bearers shall be elected at the AGM and shall hold office until the next AGM, except that founding members shall nominate members to the Executive committee in the first year.
9.3 EXCO shall meet at such time and place as it from time to time determine or as may be decided by the Chairman or, in his absence, the Vice Chairman, provided that not less than three meetings shall be held in each financial year.
9.4 At least three persons who accept fiduciary responsibility for WOSA will not be connected persons in relation to each other, and no single person directly or indirectly shall control the decision making powers relating to WOSA.
9.4 Duties of the Chairman.
9.5 Duties of Vice Chairman.
9.6 Duties of the Treasurer.
9.7 Duties of the Secretary.
10.8.1 Office bearers shall be elected by the members in good standing at the AGM
10.8.2 Nominations for office bearers must be submitted to the secretary at least 10 days prior to the AGM. Such nomination shall be signed by the member being nominated as well as the proposer and seconder.
10.8.3 Should there be more nominations than there are vacancies, the office bearers shall be elected by ballot.
10.8.4 Office bearers shall serve for a period of one year and shall retire immediately after the election of the new office bearers at the AGM. An Office bearer so retiring shall be assumed to be nominated for re-election unless he has advised the Chairman otherwise.
10.8.5 Office bearers shall not be personally liable for any loss suffered by any person as a result of any act or omission which occurs in good faith while the office bearer is performing functions for or on behalf of WOSA
11.1 An office bearer shall deemed to have vacated his office immediately if he:
11.1.1 ceases to be a member of WOSA
11.1.2 resigns from his office by notice in writing to the secretary or Chairman
11.1.3 is absent from three consecutive meetings of EXCO.
11.1.4 is declared bankrupt or insolvent.
11.1.5 becomes prohibited or disqualified from being a director of a company under the provisions of the Companies Act of 1929
11.2 An office bearer or any member of a sub committee appointed by EXCO shall cease to continue in that capacity if EXCO resolves to remove that member from office at a meeting of EXCO constituted for that purpose. At least 75% (seventy five percent) of the office bearers must vote in favour of the resolution to remove the office bearer or member of the subcommittee from office. At least 7 (seven) days notice of the meeting must be given to the office bearer or member concerned and he must also be given an opportunity to address the meeting.
12.1 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS.
12.1.1 An Annual General Meeting of Members (AGM) shall be held once per Financial year within 6 months of the Financial Year End, at such place and at such time as may be determined by EXCO.
12.1.2 Notice of the AGM shall be sent to all members not less than 30 days prior to the date of the AGM.
12.1.3 At the AGM the following business shall be transacted:
12.1.3.1 acceptance of previous AGM’s minutes
12.1.3.2 presentation and acceptance of the Chairman’s Report.
12.1.3.3 presentation and acceptance of the Financial Statements
12.1.3.4 presentation, discussion and acceptance of Project Reports
12.1.3.5 election of office bearers.
12.1.3.6 appointment of an auditor.
12.1.3.7 any other business
12.2 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
12.2.1 EXCO may, at its discretion, call a Special General Meeting at any time to consider any business which it deems appropriate or necessary.
12.2.2 EXCO shall call a Special General Meeting upon receipt of a written notice signed by no less than 12 members in good standing. The notice convening the meeting shall specify the purpose and business of the meeting. Such meeting shall be called to take place within 45 (forty five) days of the notice being lodged with the secretary and shall deal only with the specific matters requested.
12.3 QUORUM
12.3.1 A quorum for an AGM or Special General Meeting shall be 10% of members in good standing or 15 members in good standing, provided that, if no quorum is present within 15 ( fifteen )minutes after the time fixed for the meeting, then the meeting shall be adjourned for 2 (two ) weeks at the same time and venue. At such adjourned meeting the members then present shall be deemed to constitute the quorum for the transaction for all business for the meeting. However, in the case of a Special General Meeting called by a requisition of members , if a quorum is not present within the time specified above, the meeting shall be dissolved.
12.4 VOTING AT GENERAL MEETINGS
12.4.1 All matters submitted to a General Meeting, shall be determined by a vote. However, no voting shall take place on any matter at a General Meeting unless notice thereof has been sent to all members at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.
12.4.2 At the discretion of the chairman and by prior arrangement a proxy vote shall be acceptable. Proxy forms must reach the secretary not later than 72 hours before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
12.4.3 each member in good standing shall have one vote.
12.4.4 Unless any member present at the General Meeting requests a secret ballot, decisions taken at a general meeting shall be decided by a show of hands.
12.4.5 Should a secret ballot be requested by a member in good standing present at the general meeting, a secret ballot shall be conducted.
12.4.6 The outcome of any voting at a general meeting, save where otherwise provided, shall be determined by a majority of those members in good standing present and the proxy votes.
12.4.7 Should there be equality in respect of the votes cast "for" and "against" then the chairperson shall exercise a casting vote.
12.5. REGISTER OF ATTENDANCE
a record shall be kept of all members attending General Meetings.
12.6 MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETINGS
The secretary shall duly record the minutes of each meeting. The minutes, after having been approved, shall be signed by both the Chairperson and the secretary.
13.1 All assets of WOSA shall be vested in, controlled and administered by EXCO and no member shall have any claim thereto. No profits or gains shall be distributed to any person and the funds of WOSA shall be utilised solely for investment or the aims and objectives for which WOSA was established.
13.2 The liability of members, of WOSA debts, shall be limited to the amount owing in respect of their due unpaid subscriptions and or other levies.
13.3 No activity either directly or indirectly shall promote the economic self-interest of any fiduciary or employee of WOSA otherwise other than by way of reasonable remuneration. WOSA may not distribute any of its assets to its members or office bearers, except as reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred and or services rendered by express prior arrangement.
13.4 Remuneration paid to any employee, office bearer or other person shall not be excessive having regard to what is generally considered reasonable in his sector and in relation to the service rendered and has not and shall not economically benefit any person in a manner which is not consistent with WOSA's aims and objectives.
13.6 Funds shall be used solely for the aims and objectives for which WOSA was established or invested with a financial institution as defined in section 1 of the Financial Services Board Act ( Act no 97 of 1990)
14.1 Without prejudice to its general powers of conducting the affairs of WOSA and in addition to other powers granted under this Constitution, but subject to the policies adopted by WOSA from time to time, the EXCO shall have the power on behalf of and in the name of WOSA to:
14.1.1 operate accounts with any bank or other registered institution,
14.1.2 purchase or acquire, invest, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of any property, rights or assets, both movable and immovable and to borrow against security of its assets,
14.1.3 appoint suspend or discharge any employee of WOSA and to determine his/her remuneration and conditions of service,
14.1.4 make or amend rules and regulations,
14.1.5 fill casual vacancies on the committee,
14.1.6 increase or decrease annual subscriptions and impose any other levies which may be deemed necessary from time to time.
15.1 The Treasurer shall keep a record of all the assets of WOSA together with a full, faithful and business-like record of transactions of money of WOSA and preserve all vouchers and documents pertaining thereto, and shall ensure audited financial statements are presented at each AGM.
15.2 All monies received on behalf of WOSA shall be deposited in one or more banking accounts to be maintained by the Treasurer with such branch/s of such banks as the EXCO may deem fit, and all payments to be made on behalf of WOSA shall be made by a properly authorised cheque drawn on, or electronic transfer from such banking accounts.
15.3 All financial transactions must be approved by the Chairman.
15.3 The Financial year for WOSA shall be from July 1 to June 30 each year.
All documents, contracts and negotiable instruments which are acquired to be executed on behalf of WOSA shall be deemed validly signed and executed if signed by the EXCO members duly authorised to do so.
No press or other media statements and interviews shall be given on behalf of WOSA without the prior authority of the Chairman.
WOSA may make affiliation arrangements with any other organisation.
19.1 The Constitution may be added to, altered, varied or in any way amended by the resolution of not less than two-thirds majority of the members in good standing present and voting at any General Meeting
19.2 Any amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted to SARS
20.1 WOSA shall dissolve if and when at least two thirds (2/3) of all paid up members present at a meeting convened for such purpose, vote in favour thereof. The EXCO existing at the time of such meeting, shall immediately become the trustees of WOSA's assets and shall ensure that all assets remaining after all liabilities are liquidated shall be transferred to a similar PBO with objects similar to those of WOSA and which has been approved in terms of section 30 of the Income Tax Act ( Act 58 of 1972 ) ('the Act')
WOSA has established a website..wildorchids.co.za and is forming Provincial Chapters, who will coordinate conservation activities in their regions. WOSA has a Facebook page for communication and promotion which can be accessed through the icon on the website. Chapters will identify and record orchid colonies on undeveloped land in their regions. They will work with the Provinces and EIA consultants to identify the existence of orchids in development sites and take the appropriate action. WOSA are also researching the translocation of orchids where it has been agreed that development will be allowed. Translocation is a complex issue which will still take some time and research to resolve as ground orchids do not survive in most cases when translocated.
The largest threat to species loss is the destruction of natural habitat.
WOSA is a pro-active group which will educate the public on the existence and value of indigenous orchids and the need to conserve this National Heritage for future generations. This will be enhanced by the creation of protected areas for orchids.
Our success will be measured by the number of people on the ground throughout the country who will actively support our activities.
Contact a Chapter in your area and join this noble cause.
Any individual or corporate or organisation that shares our interest in indigenous orchid conservation can apply to become a member of WOSA and become a part of the Wild Orchid Community.
An Annual membership fee of R200.00 per individual, R300 per family and R500 organisation or corporate will become due on application for membership and will be renewable on the 1st of July each year.
WOSA holds an Indigenous Orchid National Conference each year to discuss matters such as research needs, projects and WO Chapter report backs. We will select different venues and regions, during their peak flowering times, in deciding on a venue, which will allow delegates to become familiar with the flowering orchids in that region and the challenges and opportunities facing the region.
The Executive Committee will select a suitable venue send out a call for papers, arrange the program, and tie up logistics. Members
will be invited to attend the conference.
Please make payment by EFT
Bank: Standard Bank
Account: Wild Orchids Southern Africa
Account Number: 406886113
Branch: Northgate
Branch Code: 001106
Use your full name as the reference, complete the form below and attach proof of payment into the form or email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cost is R200.00 per individual, R300 per family and R500 organisation or corporate.
An annual membership fee will become due on an application for membership and will be renewable on the 1st of July each year.
Please note all fields are required to process an order.
Thank you for the application we will be in contact shortly to confirm your details.
REGISTERED IN TERMS OF THE NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS ACT, 1997 (ACT 71 OF 1997) : REF: 141-119 NPO
Please submit proof of payment to Duncan MacFarlane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. -and return this form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information regarding the preservation of South Africa's wild Orchids or if you would like to get involved please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or complete this short form Contact Us and we will contact you.