Minutes of the 102nd Annual General Meeting of Historical Publications Southern Africa (HiPSA), formerly the Van Riebeeck Society for the Publication of Southern African Historical Documents, held virtually on Zoom at 18h00 on Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Agenda
Welcome, Zoom Protocol and Order of Proceedings
Apologies
Hail and farewell
Minutes of 101st AGM 15 December 2020
Matters arising not on agenda
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Chair
Any other business
- Welcome and apologies
The Chair, Prof Howard Phillips, welcomed the members, including foreign members present virtually, and explained the Zoom protocol and order of proceedings. The AGM would be followed by the launch of this year’s annual volume, François Le Vaillant – Travels into the Interior of Africa via the Cape of Good Hope: Volume II.
- Hail and Farewell
Prof Phillips listed 7 members who had passed away in the past year and welcomed 26 new members – list attached.
He noted in particular two deaths of staff associated with HiPSA. These were our administrative assistant Ms Sandra Commerford and our caterer and bookkeeper, Mr Sakkie Nieuwoudt.
Prof Phillips read out tributes that had been presented at the services for both.
- Minutes of 101st annual general meeting on 15 December 2020
Copies of the minutes of the last AGM had been provided. The minutes were accepted. Ms Tanya Barben proposed, and Prof Chris van der Merwe seconded.
Prof Phillips reviewed some key points in the minutes. In response to a question as to how the society would attempt to build membership, especially younger members, he noted that his Report would deal with this issue.
- Matters arising not on the agenda
There were no matters arising not on the agenda.
- Report of the Treasurer
The Treasurer, Mr Danie de Villiers, reported. Financial documents had been circulated and Mr de Villiers referred to these while he gave his report – see documents attached.
Our auditor had retired and Council had agreed to appoint new auditors, Van Schalkwyk and associates. He noted that the new auditors had valued investments at market prices at year end, which resulted in a large adjustment. Surpluses had been recorded for 2019 and 2020, as well as for 2021 due to a generous subsidy from IFAS for the Le Vaillant volume.
There were no questions.
- Report of the Chair
The report of the Chair is attached.
The report was accepted, with Mr Hugh Amoore proposing and Prof Chris van der Merwe seconding.
Dr Elizabeth van Heyningen thanked the HiPSA administration for their services during a difficult year.
Prof Phillips noted that while HiPSA offered book prizes to history students, the take-up by university history departments was disappointing. Of 16 departments approached only 4 had responded.
- Any other business
Mr Hugh Amoore proposed a vote of thanks to Prof Phillips, which was seconded by Ms Tanya Barben.
There being no other matters raised, the meeting closed at 19h10.