The Conchological Society of
South Africa

The Conchological Society of South Africa, or CSSA, 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.

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CSSA has an illustrious history which began in May 1958 as the Conchological Society of Southern Africa. 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.

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The Mission statement, established in the 1960's, is carried over to the current Society, and reads:

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"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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

Our Constitution was revised and approved on the 13th of August 2022. You may download a copy here.

Membership to CSSA is R100 or $25 per year. Membership affords individuals with the opportunity to receive new copies of The Strandloper, the CSSA 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.

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Completed Application Forms should be routed to the CSSA Treasurer (contact details at the bottom of the page).

CSSA Patron

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

Current CSSA Committee

Gillian Petzer

Additional Member