At the National RECSKASA Sea Kayak Convention held
in Hermanus in 2001, RECSKASA members voted unanimously to restructure
it to become more representative of sea kayaking interests not
only in South Africa, but, in line with government policy to motivate
an African renaissance, in Africa as a whole. It was decided that
a society, rather than an association, would be the best format
for a group dedicated to carry through such a mission. The main
considerations were inter alia that:
RECSKASA had fulfilled its primary task of representing sea
kayaking at the outset of the finding of the sport in South Africa.
This included dealing with SAMSA , the South African Marine Safety
Authority, MCM, Marine and Coastal Management [previously the
Department of Sea Fisheries], SATOUR, THETA, the Tourism, Hospitality,
Education and Training Authority, local authorities and other
related associations. A new group dedicated to representing and
promoting sea kayaking in South Africa as well as Africa as a
whole was needed. It required a new structure; an electorate and
democratically elected chair and committee would be well-nigh
an impossibility to achieve, or maintain, in a large and diverse
continent such as Africa It would be better driven by a group
of self-motivated persons who were prepared to buy into and contribute
their services to a society dedicated to promoting sea kayaking
and the structures which supported it, including making a contribution
to a sustainable tourism infrastructure which would be of benefit
to local communities. The South African government's stance on
diminishing the roles of associations, at least in respect of
the control of training standards, also obviated the need to maintain
democratically-constituted and representative associations such
as RECSKASA.
The major objectives of such a society would be to promote all
aspects of sea kayaking, both commercial and recreational. Implicit
in this is a contribution of time and expertise to the conservation
of the sea and coast in recognition of Africa's dependence on
the sea for its future well-being.
To implement the above, the following steps were
taken:
RECSKASA was effectively restructured to become TASKS, The African
Sea Kayak Society.
TASKS was constituted as a society, to be managed by trust members
who initiated the process initially and subsequently by those
who were recommended and accepted by fellow trustees. Trustees
serve on a board which manages the society. Commercial sea kayak
suppliers either become trustee members, or register as non-voting
commercial suppliers at costs to be determined from time to time.
Recreational members either become trustee members or register
for free as non-voting "Friends of TASKS, the African Sea
Kayak Society".
A website was established as TASKS' primary means of communication.
The TASKS website sets out to: A. Promote sea kayaking as a whole.
B. Promote recreational sea kayaking and training in Africa. C.
Promote its members' commercial sea kayaking interests iro equipment,
guide training and touring in Africa. D. Promote sustainable development
of communities in Africa who are dependent on the coast for their
income. E. Promote the conservation of the African coast and the
sea.
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