About
Shell Collectors SA, or SCSA, is the umbrella organisation for the regional Shell Clubs within South Africa. Our Mission is to create a favourable, inviting, open and relaxed environment within which the shell collecting community may function.
SCSA has an illustrious history which began in May 1958 as the Conchological Society of Southern Africa (CSSA). The initiative to start the CSSA followed after a group of collectors realised that the stretch of coastline where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, is a treasure trove for collectors. Our coast is home to a large number of endemic species, and the CSSA provided the official grounds through which information about our species could be communicated to all.
The Mission statement, established in the 1960's, is carried over to the SCSA, and reads:
"To further the study of Mollusca in general, and South African Mollusca in particular, and secondly, to add to the existing data and scientific records concerning South African Mollusca."
On a more personal level, our goals are to encourage shell collectors from all walks of life to share their experiences, learn from each other and grow their collections through various forms of trade.
To this end we invite all collectors to participate in monthly Club meetings and shell-related events, contribute to our local publication - The Strandloper - attend Workshops and events, where all can share and learn, and actively participate in our shell raffles, auctions and other trading opportunities within the Clubs.
We invite newcomers to this hobby, or to our organisation, to navigate the Site to see who is who in the zoo, where our meetings are held and how to get hold of us.
Constitution
Our Constitution was revised and approved on the 4th of June 2018. You may download a copy here.
Application Form
Membership to SCSA is R100 or $25 per year. Membership affords individuals with the opportunity to receive new copies of The Strandloper, the SCSA Newsletter (Sea Bones), as well as other forms of communication. Automatic appropriation to the Annual General Meeting is also guaranteed.
To download the Membership Application Form, click here for the MS Word version, and here for the PDF version.
Completed Application Forms should be routed to the SCSA Treasurer (contact details at the bottom of the page).

Who's Who
SCSA Patron
The Society Patron is Mr Johan Marais, who was officially appoined to this position on 14 August 2018.

Current SCSA Committee

Andre Meredith
President

Ken Brown
Editor

Anton Groenewald
Secretary

Alwyn Marais
Scientific Officer

Maurice Evans
Treasurer

Gillian Petzer
Additional Member


Shell Clubs
Regional Shell Clubs
The following regional Clubs or Groups resort under Shell Collectors SA:
Pretoria Club
Durban Club
Cape Town Club
Jeffreys Bay Club
Shelly Beach Club
Click on the arrow next to the Club name for more information, including location, meeting times and Club Chairperson contact details.
Club Fees
Fees for membership at the regional Shell Clubs is R50 per year.
Shell Club membership affords the individual the opportunity to attend Club meetings, partake in monthly shell raffles, qualify for special Club discounts, partake in outings and enjoy meeting refreshments.
Links to International Shell Clubs
Shell collecting is a true "international hobby": many collections contain specimens from around the world, and this requires collaboration with overseas collectors and dealers. It is important to network with other Shell Clubs worldwide - sharing of knowledge is very important, and building ties with other collectors is not only recommended to strengthen our knowledge base, but, of course, to make new friends.
Below are links to the websites of some of our international collecting friends - please click and visit!
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Broward Shell Club, USA
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CenPenn Beachcombers, USA
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Englewood Shell Club, USA
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Oregon Shell Club, USA
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San Diego Shell Club, USA
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Sarasota Shell Club, USA
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Sea Shell Searchers, USA
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St Pete Shell Club, USA
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Conquiliologistas do Brasil, Brazil
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Belgian Society for Conchology, Belgium
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Malacological Society of Australasia, Oceania
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Sydney Shell Collectors Club, Australia
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German Shell Collectors Club, Germany
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Czech Shell Club, Czech Republic
If you would like to be added to our website, please email the Webmaster and we will gladly do so!
We would love it if you could post a link to our Website on yours as well...)

News & Info
News
AGM 2021
The 2021 AGM was held on 27 November 2021 at the Pretoria Netcare Unitas hospital and, although not as well-attended as in previous years, it was undoubtedly one of the most memorable. The formalities did not take long, and after voting (which was a trivial affair with all former office-bearers re-elected, along with new Additional Member Gillian Petzer), Mr Alwyn Marais presented some thought-provoking topics. After a lovely lunch the AGM Auction got underway and auctioneer Roy Aiken made short work of the truck-load of shells, auctioning off the entire lot.
Shell trade was also well-supported, with some of our members offering shells and books at truly rock-bottom prices. It was a great opportunity for members to reconnect after the many prolonged interruptions due to lockdown, and the general mood was upbeat with an air of expectancy for the year to come.
Below is a copy of the Presiden't Report for you to read.
Correspondence from the Society President
Download the latest letter written by our President here:
Older letters can be downloaded here:
Info and Downloads
Click on any of the boxes above to learn more about our fascinating hobby!



We'd love to hear from you!
Please complete the form below and hit the send button.
Alternately, send an email to one of the addresses at the bottom of the page.

Get In Touch

President: andrepm32@gmail.com
Secretary: anton.groenewald@netcare.co.za
Treasurer: levans@yebo.co.za
Editor: brownkenneth924@gmail.com
Scientific Officer: alwyn@deark.co.za
Gillian Petzer: gillian.petzer@gmail.com