SAVS expands with four chapters in South Africa
With the vegan movement expanding across the country, SAVS has seen the need to create meeting points for members to get together for fun, food, outreach into communities and mutual support. This has led to the formation of four SAVS chapters. Our chapters in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban are now joined by the East London chapter in the Eastern Cape.
As a volunteer organisation SAVS is always on the lookout for vegans willing to share their skills and compassion. If you are interested in joining a chapter please contact one of our chapter coordinators listed below, or if you are elsewhere in South Africa you can participate in our ongoing growth and work by filling in this online volunteer form.
SAVS East London
‘I was the only vegan I knew here for quite a while. Eventually I did go looking for others and find them I most certainly did!’ says Craig de Lange, who heads up the new newly formed, but very busy East London chapter. ‘In the past few months, we’ve had a few potlucks, braved an agricultural show and tried the markets with our wares. And we are only just getting started! We have more potlucks, film screenings, market appearances and other interesting events in the pipeline.
So stay tuned, and if you do find yourself in our neck of the woods, please say say hello – we are more than happy to welcome new members.’ – Contact Craig on: 071 886 0689, at craig@vegansociety.org.za or via Facebook.
SAVS Johannesburg
The Joburg chapter of SAVS has enjoyed visits by two internationally renowned speakers. Dr Will Tuttle gave a powerful talk about the deep psychological battle being waged on our plates and how to take an active but peaceful approach to finding a solution. Philip Wollen, a former banking world titan who has initiated hundreds of active vegan projects around the world, gave us a robust insight into animal agriculture industry and presented some startling figures and projections. Both of these talks have been a first for Joburg. They really brought the community together and left us feeling inspired. SAVS JHB is currently planning a series of health-related talks as well as a monthly vegan think-tank. If you are in the area and would like to get involved please contact us. We welcome everyone to become part of this amazing change. – Contact Paul Palmer at paul@vegansociety.org.za to get involved.
SAVS Durban
The beginning of 2016 saw South Africa open up to international guests with the visit of Dr Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet, and his wife, fellow animal justice advocate and artist Madeleine Tuttle. Dr Tuttle spoke at the University of KZN in early January, where Madeleine Tuttle exhibited her vibrant animal paintings. This talk was very well attended by local vegans and many others interested in examining ways in which they can contribute to a less violent world. Read Will Tuttle’s personal account of his visit here. The Durban chapter co-hosted the event with Food for Life Children’s Projects (Durban) and we look forward to future collaborations.
Dr Tuttle’s visit was followed soon after in March by a double-bill event with Wally Fry, founder of Fry’s Family Foods, and Philip Wollen, Australian animal justice advocate, philanthropist and former vice-president of Citibank. Many left this event with a renewed sense of urgency. We thank both speakers for taking the time to engage with our South African audience. We also thank Fry’s Family Foods for their very generous sponsorship of both these events.
We’re particularly proud of all the vegan athletes who entered the Comrades Marathon in May this year – and super proud of our Durban coordinator, Donovan Will, who completed his first Comrades with ease.
We are planning a SAVS Durban event in July so please check social media for details! – Contact Donovan Will at donovan@vegansociety.org.za
