*Morgause Fonteleve has been elected as Chief Executive Officer for the period March 2009 to February 2012.

In September 2009 the Executive of the South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA)announced their intention to pursue legal action, on behalf of South African Witches, against both print and online newspapers who have and continue to publish inappropriate, distorted, exaggerated and misrepresented references to Witchcraft. This option remains open.

The Executive decided on standard requirements for application for RMO in order to filter out the possible joining of members for the sole purpose of obtaining an RMO license through SAPRA.
Ginney May accepted the nomination as RMO Registrar for the Alliance.

The Executive discussed at length how best to serve Pagans who had experienced unfair discrimination. Two cases were referred to the HRC: Rian Pretorius who was refused service by Wilro Printers on religious grounds, and Graham Tarr who experienced hostile discrimination by security members of Carltonville mine, and who suffered a breakdown as a result and was subsequently dismissed by the mine.

On June 2009 Damon gave the Executive feedback from correspondence with the HRC with regards to SAPRA’s appeal for the repeal of the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957. The Commission has recommended that further investigation be undertaken.

In June 2009 Ginney May became a Commissioner of Oaths for SAPRA.

In June the Executive also discussed and agreed to submit objections to a clause within the proposed Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons’ Bill linking witchcraft with human trafficking, with the SALRC. The current bill does not include any reference to witchcraft in relation to human trafficking.

On 10 August 2009 (after deliberating within the Executive) SAPRA issued a press statement rejecting the allegations made by ANC MP Adrian Williams with regards to the Alliance being arrogant in their pursuit of the Melville Mandate and the reclamation of the terms Witch and Witchcraft.

In early September the Executive discussed Kobus Jonker’s comments on the Harmse case. A Press Release of 3 September states “SAPRA would like to state categorically that Mr. Jonker is no expert of the Occult and that his testimony and subsequent statements appear to have been constructed on nothing more than faulty associative speculation. The five-pointed star Jonker refers to as a "pentagon" is actually called a pentagram. Any credible occult expert would know this.”

On 6 September the Freedom of Expression Institute refused to assist SAPRA in its complaint against the S.A. Press Ombudsman, on the grounds that the Ombudsman's process was procedurally fair.

On 7 November SAPRA issued a Press Release opposing the UN & IHEU’S call to eliminate witchcraft in Africa.

On 12 November SAPRA was requested to participate in a Stellenbosch Journalism Department Interview regarding Paganism.

The Executive engaged once again in the debate of whether SATANISM is an acceptable Pagan Path for SAPRA or not. The Executive ruled that whilst we do not oppose Satanism, nor seek to discriminate against Satanists, this Alliance would not accept Satanism as a Pagan religion.

In August 1 the South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) recommended to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development that he approve the inclusion of the investigation into the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957, in the Commissions’ research programme in terms of Section 5(1) of the SALRC Act.

In December 2009 the Executive engaged in lengthy discussions concerning Leo Ingwe, Secretary of the Nigerian Humanist Movement’s National Conference on
witch-hunts, Christian fundamentalism and Child Abuse. Damon subsequent engaged in correspondence with him with regards to the Alliance’s stance on the matter.

On 8 December Damon joined the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN) on behalf of SAPRA, in an attempt to engage stakeholders and NGO’s in discussion on issues arising from the ongoing dialogue on and around witchcraft in Africa – to prevent the marginalization of self-identified Witches.

In December the Executive discussed matters arising from The Parliament of World Religions. Matters such as “What is Paganism?”, Indigenous and ethno Paganism,etc.

On 26 December, after deliberation with the Executive, SAPRA issued a Press Release against Jannie Engelbrecht and his Netwerk teen Dwelms en Okkulte on Facebook after the group stereotyped Pagans as drug addicts.

On 18 January 2010 South African Pagans and Witches publicly condemned the practice of human mutilations.

On 5 February the ANC called on the state security establishment to establish some sort of “early warning and response system” to “effectively intervene in stamping out
the scourge of Witchcraft in society”. The Executive discussed the need of SAPRA to respond to it. SAPRA’s Press release entitled “ANC act on Witchcraft”.

During the year the Executive also engaged in the discussion of afro-centric magical terms such as “umthakhati” in connection with interviews to THO’s national coordinator, Phephsile Maseko. The Executive in general felt that the THO was promoting prejudice. Maseko alleged that the witches were the muthi murderers. On
19 February SAPRA announced that they would not permit traditional healers to continue to make unfounded and untrue allegations against Witches and Witchcraft,
and that they will be submitting a complaint, against the THO's national coordinator, to the South African Human Rights Commission.

In February 2010 the Executive Media Committee assisted in the drafting of the press pack for the 30 days of advocacy against Witch-hunts in Africa Campaign.

On 19 February SAPRA submitted a letter to Department of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities with regards to their Press Release, dated 18 February and entitled “ Dept healers declare war on muthi killings”, in which Damon took the opportunity to clarify misconceptions advocated by the THO’s national co-ordinator: "witchcraft is all about greed and jealousy... unless there are leaders in government, who are willing to lead the fight against witchcraft, legitimate traditional healers are
not going to get over this hurdle." The Alliance represents self-identified Witches, who practice Witchcraft, and who regard Witchcraft as our religion. Maseko's allegation that muthi murderers are "witches" practicing "witchcraft" is untrue and defamatory. SAPRA issued press release: Gov declares war on muthi killings.

On 20 January the Executive discussed the letter to Damon by one Benjamin L. Baney (of Svetlana Schreiber & Associates in Cleveland OH which specialize in
Immigration Law) with regards an asylum case they are currently working on. Damon subsequently offered his assistance and directed him to articles and books
which could assist him in his investigation and research.

Yasseen Ally (UNISA) contacted Damon on 22 February and thanked him for his permission to let him use A Pagan Witches Touchstone for his research in his PhD studies which focuses on witch hunts in SA.

http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/faculties/humanities/shs/docs/Witch Hunts in South Africa.pdf

On 22 February SAPRA lodged a complaint against the THO with the HRC.

In 2008 the SAPC opened the doors for official and carded membership in order to enable the Council to run fair polls and to allow official members the right to apply to Home Affairs (through the Council) for official designation as RMO’s.
Once again this year Membership Cards were printed and posted to all registered members save a couple which were returned for insufficient/incorrect address provided to the Registrar.
Currently membership is as follows:
On line membership = 321
Members without email = 10
Total = 331
Formally Registered & Carded Members = 135
Solitaries = 86
Members Belonging to Groups = 49
Member resignations = 4
The following candidates have been designated as official SAPC RMO’s during the course of this year:
Jane Elliot
Brigitte Kratz
Christa Martin
Congratulation Jane, Brigitte and Christa.
Free downloads for Members:
Victory in the Labyrinth – defeating andger and depression co-written by Morgause Fonteleve, Charles van Bergen, Wotanwulf and Phos Erebos.
Witchcraft a Study in bias, prejudice and discrimination – by Damon Leff
A Pagan Overview- by Phos Erebos
Several issues of the SAPC Newsletter went out to subscribed members, keeping them informed regarding all news, programmes and matters arising during the daily running of the Council..
A time-line was set up so that members may monitor the Council’s progress. This year the Council was accepted as a member of SAFCEI but got no positive response (besides postponing tactics) from the other interfaith groups approached (e.g. the NILC, NRL and MRM).
An upcoming events page was made available for members to advertise on, free of charge. This is not being utilized. Members, please note that your events and services may be advertised here free of charge.
Forums: The Blog, Speak Up and Weekly Article pages were fairly well utilized this year. created, so that members can publish their blogs and articles of relevance to Paganism and Pagan Spirituality.
Several Polls were successfully run on the site, e.g. Membership fees and Membership criteria. The results were published on the site.

A parameter was created for visitors and members to donate money towards the running of the SAPC and several members now regularly donate and . We take this opportunity to thank all those who sponsor the SAPC through their constant and generous donations.
The SAPC continues to be represented at public demonstrations and meetings against environmental issues.
Strategic Plan for 2010
Speak Up section is still not fully utilized - Phos Erebos undertook last year to assist with running with this parameter.
Community Building Conference to be held in Johannesburg - proposed date 22 September.
A new free publication/downlod is in the pipeline: Pagan Clergy Handbook
Project Hypatia – the Registrar and Convener undertake to continue with the inter-faith campaign and the press awareness campaign intervening through the media where Paganism or Witchcraft is brought into disrepute by individuals or the press. Encourage Independents and Affiliates to pursue such endeavours within their communities or refer them to the SAPC and SAPRA. Continue tackling the MRM and NILC re Pagan prayers for the opening of Parliament, etc. and working with SAFCEI.
Project Spinning Wheel – recruit local Pagan-friendly artists to exhibit works to raise consciousness with regards pollution, soil erosion and nature conservation. These events can be covered by the press to further raise consciousness and to pave the way for further exhibitions in other centers and towns.
A special word of thanks goes to Erebos for the sublime articles and reading material he treated us with during the past year, as well as for his period as Convener of the SAPC during 2009, to Charles for his constant contributions, wit and moral support, Damon Leff for his indefatigable work for the Pagan Community and Luke Martin for agreeing to run for Convener again prior to 2010 Fifa WC which takes up all his time. Goddess bless and keep you gentlemen!
Submitted by
Morgause Fonteléve
SAPC Registrar
Registrar