new issues... - Virtual Post Office

Managing editor 

Johan van Wyk 

Editorial support 

Louise van Niekerk 

Editorial panel 

Sandile Keswa 

Phetole Rapetswa 

Dineo Poo 

Layout 

Rachel-Mari Ackermann 

Philatelic artist 

Thea Clemons 

Agents for Philatelic Services 

Local 

• The Stamp Shop, Port Elizabeth, Tel (041) 365-2548 

• Cape to Kenya, Pretoria, Tel (012) 667-2833 

• Sandton Stamps & Coins, Sandton, Tel (011) 783-8309 

• 2 Penny Blue, Aeroport, Tel (011) 947-2830 

• Glen Carpendale, Pretoria, Tel (012) 333-4741 

• Mr. Thematic, Johannesburg, Tel (011) 390-1321 

Overseas 

• Harry Allen, England, Tel (0944) 1923 475-555 

• Herrick Stamps Company, USA, Tel (091) 516 569-3811 

• Trullis Hansen Distributors, Norway, Tel (0947) 612-55601 

• Japan Philatelic Agency, Tel (09813) 5951-3433 

Address correspondence to: 

The Editor, Setempe, Private Bag X505, 

Pretoria, 0001, SOUTH AFRICA 

Tel (national) (012) 845 2814/15 

(international) +27 12 845 2814/15 

Fax (national) (012) 804 6745 

(international) +27 12 804 6745 

E-mail sa.stamps@postoffi ce.co.za 

Website www.postoffi ce.co.za 

Buy our stamps on: www.epostal.co.za 

Opinions expressed in Setempe are not necessarily those of the 

South African Post Offi ce or of Philatelic Services. 

Information published in Setempe may be reproduced, 

provided its source is acknowledged and copies are sent to 

the editor. 

Setempe is published by the Philatelic Services of the South 

African Post Offi ce, Cnr James Drive and Moreleta Street, 

Silverton, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA. 

Please note: Stamp images published in Setempe are from the 

original artwork and are subject to change. 

ISSN 1560-9626 

contents 

SETEMPE 

South African Stamp News 

May - August 2011 

Dear Reader 3 

Interview: Muano Mainganye 4 

Honouring a Constitution 5 

Celebrating rare instruments of African rhythm 7 

The beauty of South Africa’s forest birds 9 

Green Earth, healthy garden 11 

Setempe advert dates and rates 14 

Phil’s Corner 14 

Evolution of a legendary emblem 15 

Interview: Will Lourens 17 

Bellville Post Offi ce 18 

Youth: Telling a story with stamps 19 

Youth development news 20 

Museums: Conserving heritage objects 21 

Letters and Titbits 23 

Order forms 24 

This Setempe is printed on 

Triple Green products are produced from waste sugar cane fi bre. The 

bleaching process is elemental chlorine free and the wood fi bres are 

sourced from sustainable and well managed forests. 

3 

Setempe May-Aug 2011

New issues 

dear reader ... 

With the year well on its way, we look forward to introducing 

you to our diverse and interesting stamps, which will be 

available soon. 

First up is the fi nal issue in the series about Constitution Hill in 

Johannesburg. This issue features the fi rst few lines of South 

Africa’s Constitution. We would like to use the opportunity 

to pay tribute to the late Dr Ivan May, former Chief Executive 

Offi cer of the Constitution Hill Trust, who passed away at the 

end of 2010 for his continuous support and enthusiasm for 

this series of stamps. 

Our set of 10 stamps featuring 

rare musical instruments will 

be launched on 10 June at 

the National Arts Festival in 

Grahamstown. 

The latest stamps in our series 

on South African birds will be issued on 15 July. This set of 

fi ve stamps designed by André Olwage depicts forest birds. 

At Philatelic Services we like to remind our clients that there is 

a story behind every stamp. The story behind our Green Earth 

stamps is arguably about one of the most important issues 

facing the world today, namely hunger and food security. 

The World Food Summit of 1996 defi ned food security as 

existing when all people at all times have access to suffi cient, 

safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. 

According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the 

United Nations, there are 926 million hungry people in the 

world, 239 million of which live in sub-Saharan Africa. And 

lastly, Goal 1 of the United Nation’s Millennium Development 

Goals calls for a reduction by half of the number of people 

suffering from hunger between 1990 and 2015. 

In a small effort to assist in addressing this major global issue, 

our Green Earth stamps, which will be issued on 12 August, 

promote vegetables that are rich 

in nutritional value and easy to 

grow. If you buy one sheet of 

these stamps at the Philatelic 

Services offi ces in Pretoria, you 

will receive a gift packet of seeds 

of each of these vegetables. 

Instructions on how to plant the 

seeds appear on each packet. 

You will also receive a recipe 

booklet featuring recipes with each of the vegetables as the 

main ingredient. We have already tried and tested them! (The 

fi ne print reads: As long as stocks of seeds last.) 

In anticipation of the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in 

September, a set of 10 stamps, which tell the story of the 

development of the Springbok rugby logo since 1906, will be 

4 

Setempe May-Aug 2011 

issued on 20 August. Read more about these stamps on page 

22 and 23. Thank you, Andy, for all the assistance! 

Fifth most important stamp in the world for 2010! 

The philatelic website StampNews.com annually rates the 

stamps that were issued around the world according to 

different categories. 

According to the website the 

award in the category for the 

top 10 most important stamps 

of the year goes to stamps 

dedicated to socially-signifi cant 

events during the year. We are 

proud to announce that South 

Africa’s stamps featuring taxi 

hand signs were rated as the fi fth most important in the world 

in 2010. Stamps from about 150 countries were considered 

and rated by the StampNews editorial team, as well as stamp 

experts and the StampNews 

focus group. 

In 2009, South Africa’s 

3D dinosaur stamps were 

fourth in the category Top 10 

extraordinary stamps. 

Best stamp for 2010? 

Entries to select the best South African stamp for 2010 are 

trickling in at a snail’s pace and we have postponed the 

entry date to 30 June 2011. Please tell 

us which stamp(s) you have liked the 

most, or the least. 

Meet Phil 

On page 29 we introduce Phil. Phil 

is a young chap who will share his 

knowledge about stamps and stamp 

collecting with his friends and family in 

future issues of Setempe. 

A full FIP international stamp 

show in 2016? 

After the very successful Joburg 2010 

International Stamp Show last year, we have been asked to 

consider and investigate the possibility of hosting a full FIP 

international stamp show in 2016. We would like to hear our 

readers’ views about this. Please let us know whether you 

think we should do it or not, and give reasons for your view. 

Until next time, enjoy your stamps! 

Johan van Wyk

interview ... 

Muano Mainganye 

– honouring those who shaped 

our country 

1. Did you know anything about stamps before receiving 

this assignment and which aspect of stamps did you fi nd 

surprising or particularly interesting? 

I had heard about certain collectible stamps, which 

investors often collect in contrast to those that we use to 

send mail daily, but that’s about it. 

I was also surprised to hear that the fi rst stamp in South 

Africa was created in 1853; I thought that was really 

interesting. 

2. There were a few different themes from which you could 

choose. Why did you choose to design the Constitution 

stamps? 

I found all the themes quite interesting, but the Constitution 

Hill stamp was centred on typography and I thought that it 

would make for a good challenge. At the same time I saw 

this as an opportunity to learn about South African history, 

and some of the things that our leaders endured. 

3. Where did you get your inspiration for this design? 

I was inspired by all the research material that I had 

gathered; I tried to sum it up in one picture. 

4. What research did you do before starting the design process? 

I looked at all the previous stamp designs in Setempe 

magazine, as well as some stamps on the Internet, from 

websites like usps.com. I also looked at a lot of typographical 

designs on the web and did some research on Constitution 

Hill, as well as some of the prisoners that were held there. 

5. What did you wish to express in your design? 

I wanted to design something that would really honour 

those who made this country what it is today, and the 

portrait behind the words is to show that they are not 

forgotten. 

6. What did you enjoy most about designing this stamp? 

I would have to say that it was the experimentation with the 

texture and type, as well as learning about South Africa’s 

heritage. 

7. What do you consider to be good design or of which elements 

does good design consist? 

All design elements should be considered but you can 

focus on certain ones, and in this case I chose to focus on 

texture and type. 

8. Which artist from history is your favourite and why? 

I look up to a lot of artists from the past, but if I have to 

choose one it would have to be Rene Magritte. I enjoy the 

visual puns he often employed in his work. 

9. What is your opinion about stamps after everything you have 

learnt during this assignment? 

I appreciate them more, because now I understand the 

amount of work that goes into making a stamp. 

10. What is your biggest ideal in life? 

We all know what it takes; we can either make excuses or 

just do it. Keeping this in mind, I constantly push myself 

towards greater things. 

5 


new issues... 

Honouring a 

CONSTITUTION 

for the people 

by the people 

“We, the people of South Africa, recognise the injustices of our past, honour those who suffered for 

justice and freedom in our land, respect those who have worked to build and develop our country, 

believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity.” These introductory 

words of the preamble to the South African Constitution are featured on the last stamp issue in the 

Constitution Hill series. 

South Africa’s Constitution is widely regarded as the most 

progressive constitution in the world, with a Bill of Rights 

second to none. Coming late to democracy, South Africa 

was able to draw on the collective wisdom of the democratic 

countries of the world in creating its Constitution. 

South Africa’s Constitution was the result of detailed and 

inclusive negotiations that took into consideration the 

injustices of the country’s non-democratic past. The result is 

that it represents the collective wisdom of the South African 

people and has been arrived at by general agreement. 

Human rights are given prominence in the Constitution. 

They feature in the Preamble with its stated intention of 

establishing “a society based on democratic values, social 

justice and fundamental human rights.” 

Among the rights stipulated are those of equality, freedom 

of expression and association, political and property rights, 

housing, healthcare, education, access to information, and 

access to courts. 

Supreme law 

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, was 

approved by the Constitutional Court on 4 December 1996. On 

10 December 1996, which is international Human Rights Day, 

Nelson Mandela signed the Constitution into law in Sharpeville, 

in Vereeniging and it took effect on 4 February 1997. 

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. No other 

law or government action can supersede the provisions of 

the Constitution. 

6 


The adoption of the Constitution in 1996 was a major turning 

point in this country’s history. It has been called the “birth 

certifi cate” of a new South Africa - a country that is profoundly 

different to the one that existed before. 

This Constitution was drafted in terms of Chapter 5 of 

the interim Constitution (Act 200 of 1993) and was fi rst 

adopted by the Constitutional Assembly on 8 May 1996. In 

terms of a judgement of the Constitutional Court, delivered 

on 6 September 1996, the text was referred back to the 

Constitutional Assembly for reconsideration. The text was 

accordingly amended to comply with the Constitutional

Principles contained in Schedule 4 of the interim Constitution. 

It was signed into law on 10 December 1996. 

The objective in this process was to ensure that the fi nal 

Constitution is legitimate, credible and accepted by all South 

Africans. 

Public participation 

To this extent, the process of drafting the Constitution involved 

many South Africans in the largest public participation 

programme ever carried out in South Africa. After nearly two 

years of intensive consultations, political parties represented 

in the Constitutional Assembly negotiated the formulations 

contained in this text, which are an integration of ideas from 

ordinary citizens, civil society and political parties represented 

in and outside of the Constitutional Assembly. 

The artwork for this stamp was created by Muane Mainganye, a 

student at the Open Window School of Visual Communication. 

The Constitutional Hill stamp series started in 2008 with the 

architecture of the Constitutional Court. In 2009, the artworks 

in the Constitutional court were featured and in 2010, the 

history of Constitution Hill. 

References: 

• http://www.info.gov.za/documents/ 

constitution/1996/96explan.htm 

• http://www.southafrica.info/about/democracy/ 

constitution.htm 

• http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/ 

theconstitution/history.htm 

Technical information: 

Stamp issue date: 23 May 2011 

Layout and design: Muano Mainganye 

Stamp size: 40 x 52 mm 

Stamp sheet size: 105 x 75 mm 

Paper: Yellow Green Phosphor 102g/m2 

Gum: PVA gum 

Quantity printed: 50 000 Souvenir sheets of 1 stamp 

Colour: CMYK 

Printing process: Offset Lithography 

Printed by: Cartor Security Printing, France 

7 



Celebrating rare 

instruments of 

African rhythm 

Rhythm, music, song and dance are inherent in African 

culture and form an integral part of most traditional African 

ceremonies and rituals. Many of the musical instruments 

used by various ethnic groups in Africa are rare and almost 

unknown to the Western world. To raise awareness of this 

important cultural legacy, the South African Post Offi ce will 

issue a set of ten stamps featuring a selection of rare musical 

instruments from various cultural groups on 30 June 2011. 

Two commemorative covers will also be available. 

The stamps, featuring artwork by Hein Botha, depict the 

following musical instruments: 

//Gwashi 

The //gwashi is a pluriarc, a type of 

stringed instrument that the !Kung San 

borrowed from the Ambo people of 

Ovamboland. There are two variations of this instrument, 

namely the fi ve-stringed //gwashi, which is played by 

men and the four-stringed version played by women. The 

instrument is played by plucking the strings with the thumb 

and forefi nger. //Gwashi music is usually accompanied by 

singing. 

Ramkie 

The San ramkie, a plucked lute, was 

infl uenced by the Portuguese. The lower 

half of the body consists of a calabash 

over which a piece of skin is stretched to serve as a resonator. 

A plank of wood with strings attached from the top to the 

bottom of the instrument serves as the neck. The number of 

strings varies from three to six. It is likely that the Khoi were 

the fi rst of South Africa’s inhabitants to play the instrument 

and to pass it on to the San. The ramkie is regarded as the 

equivalent of the Western guitar. 

Sansa 

The sansa is also known as sanza or 

mbira. The Bapedi version is called 

8 


dipela. Outside Africa it is called a thumb piano, because 

the keys are plucked with the thumbs. It is believed to have 

originated in the Zambezi valley and is so widespread in 

Zimbabwe that it is accepted as the national instrument of 

the Shona. In South Africa, it is mainly found in the northern 

parts where it has been adopted by the Venda, Tsonga and 

Pedi and is used largely for recreation. 

Drums 

The drum, seen by many as the most 

representative African instrument, is 

still widely used today. According to 

some sources, every race that has inhabited South Africa 

has played drums at some stage, from the early Khoi playing 

on wooden milk jugs or clay pots, to the Venda playing on 

elaborately decorated wooden drums. The drums vary in 

shape, size and materials. Certain South African drums are 

diffi cult to fi nd today and some have disappeared from the 

musical scene altogether. 

Bull-roarer 

Bull-roarers are widely used in Africa 

and the instrument has many different 

names. The San bull-roarer is known as !goin!goin, while 

the Khoi call their instrument burubush, the Venda call 

it tshivhilivhi and the Bapedi call it kgabududu. It is also 

sometimes referred to as a spinning disc, because the 

instrument is swung around in circles, producing a roaring 

sound. It has been used to attract insects for honey production 

and people have likened its sound to the buzzing of bees. 

Horns 

Animal horns have been adapted for use 

as musical instruments in many African 

cultures. Horns, which are played mostly 

by men, are usually blown through an 

opening in the side. In the past, horns were blown as battle 

signals and were generally used to summon people to the 

chief’s kraal. The Khoi used kelp horns as instruments.

Flute 

In South Africa, traditional 

fl utes are made from natural 

materials like small animal 

horns, wood, hollow bones and 

river reeds. Some end-blown 

fl utes are open at both ends and 

the player produces a variety of 

notes by closing and opening the 

bottom end with one fi nger and 

selecting high or low pitches depending 

on how hard it is blown. Flutes serve a 

number of purposes, for example herd 

boys use them to signal to their cattle or 

to each other from a distance 

Xylophone 

Xylophones, also known as marimbas, 

are most highly developed in Mozambique, 

where they play an important 

cultural and social role. The mbila mutondo of the Venda is 

the only traditional marimba in South Africa. Although the 

instrument has been adapted by many South African cultures 

and has become popular over the years, the original Venda 

mbila is now quite rare. 

Rattles 

Rattles and shakers are used to create 

percussion in dancing. Rattles are either 

handheld or worn on the ankles as part 

of a dance costume. In South Africa, rattles were traditionally 

made from cocoons, fruit shells, goat skin or palm leaves tied 

up and fi lled with stones or seeds. Ankle rattles emphasise a 

dancer’s leg movements and add some rhythm to a dance. 

Bows 

Bows enjoyed widespread popularity in pre-colonial days, 

but many are no longer made or played. South African bows 

were traditionally made from natural materials. The stave is 

made from wood and the string from 

twisted fi bre, sinew, hair or wire. Bows 

can be plucked with the fi ngers, struck 

with a light stick or grass stem or 

rubbed with a dry stick. Some bows are 

also activated by blowing. 

Reference: 

The Drumcafé’s Traditional Music of South Africa, Laurie 

Levine, Jacana Media (Pty) Ltd, 2005 


Stamp issue date: 30 June 2011 

Layout and design: Hein Botha 

Stamp size: 38 x 29.07 mm 

Stamp sheet size: 210 x 78.14 mm 

Paper: Yellow Green Phosphor 102g/m2 

Gum: PVA gum 

Quantity printed: 40 000 sheets of 10 stamps 

Colour: CMYK 


Printed by: Cartor Security Printing, France 

9 



The beauty of South Africa’s 

forest birds 

Forests are a vital part of global sustainable development. 

According to World Bank estimates, more than 1,6 billion 

people depend on forests for their livelihoods. To raise 

awareness and strengthen sustainable forest management, 

as well as development and conservation of all types of forests 

for the bene t of current and future generations, the United 

Nations declared 2011 the International Year of Forests. To 

coincide with this, the South African Post Of ce chose forest 

birds as its theme for a new set of stamps in the South African 

bird series. 

Forests are integral to the quality of human life and the 

environment. They provide people with food, fuel, shelter, 

medicine and employment. Forests are also home to 70% of 

the world’s terrestrial animals and plants. Forests clean the 

air we breathe, reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases 

in the atmosphere, keep sediments from entering rivers and 

lakes and provide protection against fl ooding, mudslides 

and erosion. Forests also provide shelter to some of South 

Africa’s most spectacular birds. 

Global warming 

According to the World Bank, deforestation accounts for up to 

20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute 

to global warming. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture 

Organisation (FAO) estimates that the world’s forests and 

forest soil store more than one trillion tonnes of carbon – 

twice the amount found in the atmosphere. 

The World Bank estimates that forests provide habitats to 

about two-thirds of all species on earth, and that deforestation 

of closed tropical rainforests could account for biodiversity 

loss of as many as 100 species a day. 

South African forests 

Indigenous forests cover only about 0,25% of South Africa’s 

land surface. They are mainly patches scattered through 

areas of high rainfall and high humidity and on sheltered 

mountainsides. They include the indigenous evergreen and 

semi-deciduous closed forests of the coastal lowlands and 

10 


escarpment slopes. With a few exceptions, such as the forests 

of the Knysna area and the KwaZulu-Natal coastal dune 

systems, forests are small, usually occupying less than 1 000 

ha. Despite the small land surface area they occupy, South 

African forests have relatively high species richness. Only 

fynbos exceeds the species richness found in our forests. 

Because of their importance many of South Africa’s forests 

are conserved either as State forests or they are protected 

in formal conservation areas. However, some also occur on 

private land. 

Indigenous woodlands cover almost one third of the surface 

area of South Africa. This includes proper woodlands of tall 

trees, as well as bushveld. 

Birds 

Indigenous forests and woodlands are home to some of 

South Africa’s most beautiful birds. The birds depicted on the 

set of fi ve stamps are the green twinspot, olive bush-shrike, 

Cape parrot, Knysa turaco (lourie) and the African crowned 

eagle. The artwork is by André Olwage. 

Green twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) 

The green twinspot is mainly green with white-spotted 

underparts and a red patch around the eyes. Immature 

birds are mainly green. The twinspot is an elusive, shy bird 

that frequents the edges of forests and coastal bush. It is 

usually seen either singly or in pairs and feeds in areas of 

open ground, but dart into thick cover if disturbed. Nests are 

built high up in tree canopies where they are protected from 

predators by branches and the dense green foliage. 

Olive bush- shrike (Telophorus olivaceus) 

The olive bush-shrike is near endemic to the southern African 

region, which means it is found mainly in this region, but also 

occurs in other parts of the world. Locally, the olive bushshrike 

is common in most of southern Africa’s forests and is 

also is found in the African bushveld. 

Olive bush-shrikes vary in colour and the physical features of 

the male differ slightly from that of the female bird. The head 

is mainly olive with a grey bill, chestnut eyes, a white throat, 

yellow legs and an olive back.

Cape parrot 

(Poicephalus robustus) 

The Cape parrot is listed in the 

Red Data Book of Birds of South 

Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland as endangered. 

The estimated population of the species in Southern Africa 

is only about 1 322 individuals, which means there is a high 

probability of extinction in years to come. The Cape Parrot 

is the largest parrot of the African genus Poicephalus. It is a 

short-tailed, medium-sized bird with a large powerful beak. 

The Cape parrot is found in South Africa, including the 

Eastern Cape region, as well as in West and East Africa. Its 

habitat range includes forest, riverine woodlands, savanna 

woodland, montane forests, and lowland forests. 

Knysa turaco (lourie) (Tauraco corythaix) 

The Knysna turaco or lourie, is arguably one of South Africa’s 

most spectacular forest birds. It has a short crest and bright 

green upper parts. Its crimson wings are revealed when in 

fl ight. The Knysna turaco occurs from the Knysna region, 

northwards through the coastal parts of KwaZulu-Natal to the 

Drakensberg escarpment. Knysna turacos are usually seen 

in pairs or family groups in montane, mist belt and coastal 

evergreen forests. They are sometimes also seen in nearby 

plantations. 

African crowned eagle 

(Stephanoaetus coronatus) 

The African crowned eagle is a large and powerful bird with 

relatively short wings, which are adapted to move with speed 

through forest trees. Adults are dark brown with crested 

heads and blotched underparts and legs. Younger birds 

have white heads and underparts, but become progressively 

spotted with maturity. Crowned eagles are usually seen 

in pairs in evergreen forests, forested kloofs, dense riparian 

forests with large trees and well-wooded hillsides, often near 

water. 

References: 

• Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa, Kenneth Newman, 

Southern Book Publishers 

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Year_of_Forests 

• http://www.environment.gov.za/enviro-info/nat/biome.- 

htm#Forests 

• http://www.birdsinsa.com/birds/telophorusolivaceus.htm 

• http://www.birdlife.org.za/adoptaparrot/ 


Stamp issue date: 15 July 2011 

Layout and design: André Olwage 

Stamp size: 28.88 x 38 mm portrait 

Stamp sheet size: 164.4 x 129 mm landscape 

Paper: 102 grams Yellow Green Phosphor Litho gummed 

Stamp paper 

Quantity printed: 150,000 stamp sheets of 10 stamps 

(1,500,000 stamps) 

Colour: CMYK 


Printed by: Joh. Enschedé Stamps B.V., The Netherlands 

11 



12 


13 


new issues... (continued) 

14 


Setempe adverts dates & rates... 

SETEMPE ISSUES BOOKING/PAYMENT ARTWORK IN 

SETEMPE ISSUES 2011 

Sep - Dec 2011 10-Jun-11 20-Jun-11 

SETEMPE ISSUES 2012 

Jan - Apr 2012 10-Oct-11 25-Oct-11 

May - Aug 2011 10-Feb-12 23-Feb-12 

Sep - Dec 2011 11-Jun-12 20-Jun-12 

ADVERT RATES STD RATE PER ISSUE* REPRO CHANGES* DESIGN* 

FULL PAGE R2,500 R350.00 R850.00 

HALF PAGE R1,250 R250.00 R500.00 

Write to Phil: ‘Phil’, Setempe, Private Bag X505, 

Pretoria, 0001, SOUTH AFRICA 

E-mail: phil@postoffi ce.co.za 

NOTES: 

* Discount is available if you book 3 issues in 

advance. 

* Extra if print artwork is not print-ready. 

* Extra if an advert has to be designed from 

scratch. 

Artwork and page specifi cations will be 

supplied to interested parties. 

NB. The South African Post Offi ce: Philatelic 

Services reserves the right to choose which 

adverts will be allowed to be placed. All adverts 

are subject to available space in each issue. 

15 



Evolution of a 

LEGENDARY EMBLEM 

Anyone who has seen a springbok leap across the African veld, will 

agree that it is truly a beautiful sight to behold. Apart from 

its grace and beauty, the springbok has become 

synonymous with South African rugby. It graced 

the national rugby team’s jerseys for the fi rst time 

in 1906 when the team toured Great Britain with 

Paul Roos as its captain. The team excelled and 

on their return received a heroes’ welcome 

- a new legend was born. 

It is now more than 100 years since 

the fi rst South African national rugby 

team was called the Springboks. “For 

a long time the Springbok emblem 

represented exclusion to the vast 

majority of the people of South 

Africa. For many it was a hated 

symbol that epitomised the racial 

policies of injustice and oppression 

that characterised the system of 

apartheid.” 

These words by Archbishop 

Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, echo the 

views of many other people about 

the Springbok emblem during the 

apartheid years. During this dark 

time in our history when most 

of the international community 

boycotted our sports teams, 

the Springbok rugby team was 

the domain of white South Africans only. 

Those who were excluded on the basis of their skin colour 

were justifi ably bitter and resentful. 

Democratic South Africa 

But thanks to transformation and the reconciliatory role played 

by former President Nelson Mandela, South African rugby has 

16 


undergone radical changes. Its emblem 

has similarly transformed and changed; the Springbok 

emblem is now worn with pride by players of all races, while 

supporters from equally diverse backgrounds wave the fl ag 

and sing the anthem of a democratic South Africa when the 

‘Boks’ take on other international teams

This year sees the Rugby World Cup taking place in New 

Zealand from 9 September to 23 October with South Africa 

as the defending champion. A total of 20 teams will compete 

for the coveted Web Ellis trophy. They are South Africa, 

New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, France, England, Ireland, 

Wales, Tonga, Scotland, Italy, Fiji, Canada, Russia, Samoa, 

Japan, Romania, Georgia, the USA and Namibia. 

The fi rst match will be played in Auckland with New Zealand 

versus Tonga on 9 September 2011. The semi fi nals on 15 

and 16 October and the fi nal match on 23 October will also be 

played in Auckland. 

To mark this important event on the rugby calendar, the 

South African Post Offi ce will issue a set of ten stamps on 

20 August featuring the evolution of the Springbok emblem 

over the years. 

Tri-Nations 

The date of issue coincides with the last Tri-Nations match to 

be played in South Africa. This will be the fi rst time ever that 

a Tri-Nations match will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay 

Stadium in Port Elizabeth. From a philatelic point of view, this 

will also be a special occasion as the emblem stamps will be 

launched at the stadium. 

The stamps were designed by Thea Clemons, using Springbok 

emblems supplied by the South African Rugby Union. The 

fi rst stamp shows the emblem used from 1906 to 1933, 

followed by stamps showing the emblem used from 1937 to 

1962 and the South African Rugby Board badge used from 

1935 to 1972. Other stamps feature the rugby emblems used 

from 1963 tot 1964 and 1965 to 1989; the South African Rugby 

Union badge used from 1966 to 1991, the emblem used from 

1992 to 1995; 1996 to 2003; 2004 to 2008 and lastly, from 2009 

to the present time. Two commemorative envelopes will also 

be available. 

References: 

• The Badge – a centenary of the Springbok emblem, 

published by the SA Rugby Union, Sports Science 

Institute of South Africa, 2006 

• www.rugbyworldcup.com/ 

• www.newzealandrugbyinfo.co.nz/rugbyworldcup.php 


Will be supplied in the next Setempe. 

* Special thanks to Andy Colquhoun, Strategic Communications Manager, SA Rugby 

for his valueble inputs and assistance. Front cover pic: Paul Roos, fi rst captain of the Springboks. 

Offi cial website: www.sarugby.co.za 

19.08.2011 

PORT E LIZABE T H 

17 

8.14 


interview... 

Will Lourens 

– promoting the benefits 

of “going green” 

1. Did you know anything about stamps before receiving 

this assignment and which aspect of stamps did you fi nd 

surprising or particularly interesting? 

No, I had no idea how much work went into producing 

stamps before this assignment. What I found most surprising 

was how much research goes into designing the stamp 

itself. You must have a very solid idea of what the theme is 

all about before you can even think about putting paint to 

canvas. 

2. There were a few different themes from which you could 

choose. Why did you choose to design the Green Earth, 

Healthy Garden stamps? 

It was the topic that I found most interesting and the one 

in which I thought I could make a difference by trying to 

educate people through my design. 

3. Where did you get your inspiration for this design? 

I looked at the types of plants that could actually help people, 

so I thought why not teach people how to grow their 

own vegetables. That way I could make people aware of 

the environment and help them at the same time. 

4. What research did you do before starting the design process? 

I had to research which vegetables actually had seeds, 

which of them were indigenous and which were the most 

common in South Africa. I also looked at all the properties 

of these vegetables, like how they could be prepared, the 

best time and conditions to plant them in, as well as the actual 

process of planting the seeds and what health benefi ts 

they held for the people who ate them. 

5. What did you wish to express in your design? 

I wanted to show people that they could grow their own 

food and to make them aware of the benefi ts of being 

“green”. 

6. What did you enjoy most about designing this stamp? 

The actual learning process that I went through while 

designing the stamp and knowing that my design could 

actually make a difference. 

18 


7. What do you consider to be 

good design or of which elements does 

good design consist? 

I think a good design is one that has a good backing, if 

you don’t do your research you can’t have a good design, 

because you won’t be able to get your message across effectively 

if you don’t even know what your message is. 

8. Which artist from history is your favourite and why? 

That is a tough one. I will have to choose both Vincent 

van Gogh and Marko Djurdjevic. I really like the way that 

Van Gogh expressed his emotions in his work and brushstrokes. 

I also really admire Djurdjevic, because he never 

had any formal training, but trough hard work and determination 

he managed to become a very successful artist. 

9. What is your opinion about stamps after everything you have 

learnt during this assignment? 

That they are far more fascinating and useful than people 

give them credit for. A lot of work goes into designing a 

stamp. 

10. What is your biggest ideal in life? 

I want to be a designer who creates more than just pretty 

pictures; I want my designs to actually have an effect on 

people, to help people.

Bellville post office... 

From left: Ms. Sherina Van Schalkwyk 

(Chief Teller) and Ms. Valencia 

Mashiya (Acting Branch Manager). 

Bellville post offi ce team. 

Well done 

to a philately-friendly post offi ce 

At the Bellville post offi ce in Cape Town, a special effort is 

made to make philatelists feel at home. Not only has a special 

room been set aside where they can browse through stamp 

sheets, but there is also a dedicated philately counter, which 

means stamp collectors don’t have to stand in long queues. 

In addition, the post offi ce also actively promotes new 

philatelic products by displaying them prominently in the 

client area, placing posters on the notice board and informing 

clients when new issues are available. They also make an 

effort to obtain material for collectors who have special 

requests and post printouts of all available stock to clients 

who are on their database. 

The Bellville post offi ce will furthermore also gladly help 

philatelic clubs and organisations to obtain any philatelic 

material on request. The material is sourced from other centres 

and sent to Bellville where clubs and organisations can buy it. 

As a token of appreciation for their dedicated efforts to 

promote philately, staff members of the Bellville post 

offi ce were invited to the Bellville Philatelic Society’s 50 th 

anniversary in 2010. A special word of thanks went to the 

chief teller, Ms. Sherina van Schalkwyk, for excellent service 

to her clients. 

Well done, Sherina and the rest of the team at Bellville, you 

have done us proud! 

19 


youth... 

Telling a story with 

stamps 

Are you aware that you can learn a great deal from 

stamps and that you can also make up your own stories 

from stamps? South Africa’s 8th Defi nitive set of stamps 

for example, can teach you a lot about the traditional 

beadwork of South Africa! 

Many topics for collectors 

The 8th Defi nitive set of stamps offer a wide variety of topics 

for thematic collectors. For example, the beadwork stamps 

feature photographs of the beadwork. Photography is an art 

form, while the beadwork itself is also of a form of art. So if 

you are a collector of art on stamps, they are ideal for your 

collection. 

If you collect animals on stamps, there is also a selection to 

choose from. You can collect the stamps featuring a llama, 

an Nguni cow, a zebra and lion claws. There are also stamps 

featuring a ladybird, a dove and a hammerhead bird. If you 

have an affi nity for machines and technology, the stamps 

featuring a cell phone and aeroplane made with beads are 

for you. 

The story of Sipho and Thandi 

Traditionally, beaded objects have played an important role 

in everyday life. 

For example, Mr Sipho and Mrs 

Thandi Thwala have been 

married for many 

years. When they 

fi rst met Sipho 

was working as a miner in 

Johannesburg and Thandi was a 

young woman who worked hard 

making beaded objects. She met Sipho 

when he was home for a weekend in June. 

He wore a striking beaded neckpiece and 

carried a tobacco bag. Thandi wore a 

light blanket tied with a South Sotho 

beaded blanket pin 

and large 

20 


Xhosa earrings on that day. 

They fell in love and Sipho proposed 

to her. To show Sipho that she loved him, 

Thandi gave him a beaded love-token necklace and 

Thembu earrings. 

Negotiations about ilobola 

started almost immediately 

thereafter with Sipho’s family 

visiting Thandi’s parents. 

Thandi’s father asked for 

20 Nguni Cattle as 

ilobola and

Sipho’s father, who was a wealthy medicine man, was able 

to pay within a very short time. 

Thandi’s family presented Sipho’s father 

with a beaded Sangoma’s medicine 

gourd and gave their daughter 

a married woman’s beaded 

apron that had once belonged 

to her grandmother. The 

wedding feast was attended by a 

variety of people including chiefs 

with the main chief wearing a 

neckpiece made of lion’s 

claws. The bride and 

the groom lived 

happily ever 

after. 

Youth Development News 

Several youth competitions were run last year in 

Setempe, Minimag and JUNASS. 

The major competition was the naming of the mascot 

for Youth Development. Entries 

were received from a number of 

youngsters, even from overseas. 

A panel from Philatelic Services 

compiled a shortlist from all the 

entries received and Philatelic Services 

staff was given a chance to select three 

names from the shortlist. 

The winning name chosen for the mascot 

from the shortlist was ‘Phil’ entered by 

Isabelle Middleton. Thomas Tumiel won the 

consolation prize of one 2010 stamps year 

pack and a bag. Over 90 entries were received 

from Bergville Primary School in KwaZulu- 

Natal. Turn to page 29 for an introduction 

to Phil and his stamp-collecting gang. 

Another important competition was run by 

Minimag on behalf of Philatelic Services. It was a design 

competition where stamps had to be used extensively in the 

artwork. Learners from Totius Academy in Potchefstroom 

stood head and shoulders above the rest with eight entries 

received from them. The artwork was featured in the January – 

Back from left: Vusi Caku-caku, Sandile Keswa, Nico Horn, Luan 

Keyser, Johan van Wyk, Dineo Poo, Rina Jacobs. Centre left: Willie 

Esterhuizen (Noordbrug post offi ce manager), Liana Horn, Tertia 

Geldenhuys, Rachel-Mari Ackermann, Natali Wiblin (MiniMag), 

Celéste Ras (Mini-Mag), Front left: Arina Lemmer (Head of 

school), André Bamberger, Mia Conradie, Thomas Hitge (winner) 

and Henlo Botes. 

April 2011 issue of Setempe. The winner, Thomas Witge, 

received a Nintendo DS Lite plus two games. The other 

learners received consolation prizes of bags and stationery. 

We were fortunate enough to get David Sinclair, a youth 

leader from the Penny Black Philatelic Club in Cape Town, to 

design a short quiz for children at JUNASS 2010. The winner, 

Aaron Smith, received a prize consisting of a 2010 stamps 

year pack. 

21 


conserving heritage objects... 

University of Pretoria Museums 

are taking action 

Forefather spirits sculpture in painted 

earthenware by Henriette Ngako, 1990. 

Dimensions: 440mm x 390mm 

UP Art Collection 

22 


The University of Pretoria (UP): Department of 

Arts manages a one-of-a-kind objects conservation 

facility; a unique heritage conservation resource 

rivalling any university and even some 

museums. 

The UP Arts Objects Conservation Facility was launched in August 

2008. It fulfi ls a need for conservation services, not only to inhouse 

university collections, but also to serve the public and offer 

consultative and conservation services to museums and the heritage 

sector. 

The Conservation Facility manages all museum conservation 

aspects. Firstly by preventive conservation care, which identifi es 

causes of deterioration followed by measures taken to prevent 

decay or damage. This takes the form of good housekeeping, climate 

control, physical protection, integrated pest management and care 

of the museum display and storage environment. Secondly, there 

is interventive conservation where a conservator intervenes in 

saving an object from decay and loss through repair, stabilisation, 

and reconstruction and only as a last resort to protect an object, 

restoration. 

Interior of the newly 

established UP Arts Objects 

Conservation Facility at the 

University of Pretoria.

The Old Arts Building, which is a National Heritage Monument 

in its own right, is home to the UP Arts Objects Conservation 

Facility. Although it covers only 56,20m 2 , the facility is well 

equipped for its purpose. It includes offi ce space and a 

conservation reference section, as well as storage space 

for conservation materials, sorting tables and workbenches 

where airbrushing, hand painting and decorating tasks are 

carried out. It also has a separate wet room for cleaning and 

treatments and a storage area with restricted access where 

museum objects and private commissions are safely kept 

while they await treatment. 

An in-house objects conservator and staff with specialist 

knowledge and technical skills, take care of museum objects 

Available from 15 July 2011 

ranging from ceramics, stone, bone, glass, ivory and metal, 

to archaeological objects and artworks of plaster, synthetic 

materials and bronze. The facility offers conservation advice, and 

serves as a contractor to museums and heritage organisations 

for most conservation concerns. 

Contact the UP Arts Objects Conservation Facility at: 

012 420-5181; or send an email to conservation@up.ac.za. 

You can also visit them at the Old Arts Building, Room 1-13 on 

the Hatfi eld campus of the University of Pretoria in Lynnwood 

Road, or view their website at: www.up.ac.za/uparts.

letters and titbits ... 

Stamp issue rates 

Dear sirs, 

I was a stamp collector for many years, stopped it about 

10 years ago, then decided to re-start collecting. What a 

mistake I made stopping! 

I have just received the January - April 2010 edition of 

Setempe and really enjoyed paging through it. However, 

I noticed now, as I have also noticed in the past, that the 

issues for Overseas Small Letters and International Post 

Card rates are constantly changing. 

I query why this should be. Foreign visitors are interested 

only in posting their letters and postcards home. I do 

not believe that the stamps used have any effect on the 

recipients to that mail. If the recipient happens to be a 

collector, then surely he would want the full set which he 

would have diffi culty to obtain, not knowing to whom he 

should write. 

Your publication quite correctly mentions the educational 

value of stamps, yet the best stamps are sent out of the 

country! What interest will overseas people possibly have 

in ‘The life of fi sher folk’? Surely these kind of stamps 

are to be used for standard postage so that they can fi nd 

their way into the average household and be seen by 

youngsters? 

I ask management in your organisation to consider all 

aspects of an issue of stamps before they decide for 

which branch of the postal service it will be used. 

Titbits ... 

During the rugby tournament in 1995 a commemorative stamp appeared for the 50th Anniversary of the CSIR 

on 15 June 1995. When the Springboks won the fi nal game Saturday 24 June 1995 a stamp had to be 

created to commemorate the champions. 

By Wednesday 28 June 1995 the commemorative stamps for South Africa as winners of the 

Webb Ellis Trophy for for World Cup Rugby Rugby were available in post offi ces. It was the fastest 

stamp ever produced in South Africa! 

Supplied by: 

The RSA Stamp Study Group 

M 

24 


Mr. AH Woolf 

The editor’s reply to 

‘Stamp issue rates’ 

Dear Mr. Woolf, 

We are indeed happy to have you back in the 

fascinating world of stamps! 

The postage rates on stamps are mainly 

determined by two criteria, i.e. the theme and 

the actual postage rate. 

Stamps bearing postage to international 

destinations are predominantly the “smallest 

ambassadors” of the country that sell the 

country’s achievements abroad, including 

promoting tourism to the country by showing 

images of fi shing images. The postage rates 

also provide a selection of rates and themes 

such as the stamps for the Soccer World Cup 

in 2010 bore the international postcard rate. 

The reasoning behind this was that visitors to 

the country using the stamps may wish to send 

postcards (which are quick to send) versus 

writing a letter. 

These decisions are, however, not cast in stone 

and depend heavily on the theme and the 

customers which the message is aimed at.

CASH ORDER FORM 

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I hereby authorise the South African Post Office to deduct the amount of R ____________________________ from my credit card. 

________________________________________________ 

Signature 

Philatelic Services 

Private Bag X505 

PRETORIA 

0001 

South Africa 

Would you like to receive news about new stamp issues and relevant information? If yes: Email: SMS: 

THE CONSTITUTION 

1 X STANDARD RATE - 23 MAY 2011 

CODE DESCRIPTION PRICE QUANTITY SUB-TOTAL 

PHL113418 Miniature Sheet Mint 2.50 

PHL113419 Miniature Sheet Cancelled 2.50 

PHL113420 Envelope No 8.15 5.50 

TOTAL A 

RARE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 

10 X INTERNATIONAL SMALL LETTER RATE - 30 JUNE 2011 

PHL113422 Stamp Set Mint 60.00 

PHL113423 Stamp Set Cancelled 60.00 

PHL113424 Control Block Mint 60.00 

PHL113425 Control Block Cancelled 60.00 

PHL113426 Full Sheet Mint 60.00 

PHL113427 Full Sheet Cancelled 60.00 



TOTAL B 

SA FOREST BIRDS 

5 X INTERNATIONAL SMALL LETTER RATE - 15 JULY 2011 








TOTAL C 

GREEN AWARENESS 

6 X B4 VALUE - 12 AUGUST 2011 

PHL113442 Miniature Sheet Mint 37.50 

PHL113443 Miniature Sheet Cancelled 37.50 


TOTAL D 

SA RUGBY LOGO 

10 X INTERNATIONAL SMALL LETTER RATE - 19 AUGUST 2011 









TOTAL E 

8TH DEFINITIVE COFFEE TABLE BOOK - DISCOUNT STRUCTURE 

PHL103289 1 to 50 Books - No Discount 400.00 

PHL103289 51 to 100 Books (per unit) 350.00 

PHL103289 101- 150 Books (per unit) 325.00 

PHL103289 151 – 200 Books (per unit) 300.00 

PHL103289 Above 201 Books (per unit) 280.00 

TOTAL F 

TOTAL ORDER 

Order Handling Fee 10.00 

GRAND TOTAL A-F 

PLEASE NOTE: PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST. 

POST ORDER FORM TO: PHILATELIC SERVICES, PRIVATE BAG X505, PRETORIA, 0001 TEL: (012) 845 2814/15 • FAX: (012) 804 6745 

SETEMPE 02/2011

Want the convenience of a standing order account? • Wil u die gerief van 'n vaste rekening geniet? 

Should you wish to receive South African stamps and other philatelic products on a standing order basis, please complete the form below. If you have any 

queries whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact our Client Services at tel (012) 845-2814/2515; or send a fax to 804-6745; e-mail sa.stamps@postoffice.co.za 

Indien u Suid-Afrikaanse seëls en ander filatelieprodukte op 'n vaste bestelling wil ontvang, kan u die onderstaande vorm invul. U kan enige navrae rig 

aan ons Kliëntediensafdeling by tel (012) 845-2814/2815; of stuur 'n faks na (012) 804-6745; e-pos sa.stamps@postoffice.co.za 

CODE / KODE PRODUCT / PRODUK DEFINITIVE ISSUES • VASTE REEKS COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES • GEDENKREEKS 

Yearpacks / Jaarpakke Mint / Posvars Cancelled / Gerojeer Mint / Posvars Cancelled / Gerojeer 

12* Single stamps / Miniature sheet 

Enkelseëls / Miniatuurvel 

Definitive Issues Commemorative issues Reprints 

Vaste Reeks Gedenkreeks Herdrukke 

Product / Produk Mint Cancelled Mint Cancelled Mint Cancelled 

Posvars Gerojeer Posvars Gerojeer Posvars Gerojeer 

01 Single stamp - set / Enkelseëls - stel 

02 Control blocks - set / Kontroleblokke - stel 

03 Stamp booklets / Seëlboekies 

04 Full sheets - set / Volvelle - stel 

06 Miniature sheet / Miniatuurvelle 

08 Aerogramme - postage paid / Aerogram - posgeld betaal 

10 Postcards / Poskaarte 

20 Commemorative envelope with stamps 

Gedenkkoevert met seëls 

21 Commemorative envelope & m/sheet 

Gedenkkoevert & m/vel 

33 Corporate products - mint only 

Korporatiewe produkte - slegs posvars 

38 Prestige stamp booklet / Prestige seëlboekie 

Please note that only the above-mentioned items are available on standing order. • Neem asb kennis dat slegs die bogenoemde items op vaste bestelling beskikbaar is. 

PLEASE NOTE: 

1. Clients are advised against forwarding bank notes through the mail as 

Philatelic Services cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred in this 

manner. 

2. Please allow seven days for local South African bank clearance. 

3. Owing to standing currency regulations appertaining to this country, delays 

of up to six months can be experienced in the processing of overseas bank 

drafts. A cheque or postal order is therefore preferable. 

4. Payment may be made directly into our bank account. Please fax payment slip 

to (012) 804 6745 after making a deposit. 

Banking details for Philatelic Services are as follows: 

Standard Bank 

Account No. 010547088 

Branch Code: 010045 

Branch: Pretoria 

* Those items marked with an asterisk are the full year’s issues as per that item, 

e.g. code 12 includes a full set of single stamps/miniature sheets for that year. It is 

available in the format options listed above and will be available by the end of the 

year 2011. 

LET WEL: 

1. Kliënte word afgeraai om banknote per pos te stuur. Aangesien 

Filateliedienste nie verantwoordelik gehou kan word vir enige verliese wat 

op die manier gely word nie. 

2. Laat asseblief sewe dae vir plaaslike RSA-bankverrekening toe. 

3. Vanweë staande valutaregulasies wat op die land van toepassing is, kan 

vertragings van tot en met ses maande in die verwerking van oorsese 

bankwissels ervaar word. ’n Tjek of posorder is dus verkieslik. 

4. Betaling kan direk in ons bankrekening gemaak word. Faks depositostrokie 

na (012) 804 6745 nadat 'n betaling gemaak is. 

* Die items wat met ’n sterretjie gemerk is sluit die hele jaar se uitgifte van daardie 

item in, bv kode 12 sluit ’n volle stel enkele seëls/miniatuurvelle in vir daardie jaar 

en is beskikbaar in die formaatopsies soos bo aangedui en sal teen die einde van 

die jaar 2011 beskikbaar wees. 

Method of Payment 

Postal Order Cheque Bankdraft 

VISA MASTERCARD 

Credit card no: 

Expiry date of credit card: 

CVC no. 

(Last 3 numbers given on back of credit card) 

Signature: 

Date: 

ID No: 

Y Y Y Y M M D D 

Y Y Y Y M M 

Regretfully, only credit cards mentioned above are acceptable at this stage. 

Please call our Customer Service Centre to explore other methods of payment 

SETEMPE 02/2011

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