Introduction

In Kwazulu-Natal, we are extremely privileged to have Ted and Moyra Allbon, founder members of the SACC, on our membership list. Now in his 90’s, Ted is as alert as ever, and one of the first people to phone or e mail from Moyra with a word of congratulations or thanks when they receive their quarterly Flysheet. As the S.A. Camping Club has meant so much to them over the years, we thought it fitting that we ask Ted to give us some background into the origins of the South African Camping Club. Herewith an article he wrote specially for the 50th Anniversary.
Graeme Dibben – Current Chairman

Early History

As a founder member of the South African Camping Club I have, in the past, been asked to write the history of our Club which, from its initial 7 members, has grown beyond all expectations. Now 50 years later, because of the enthusiasm of its members, the high standards they have upheld, plus excellent leadership, it continues to flourish. However, because of the length of time and changes in the development of the Club, this particular account will vary from those I have written in the past. I am delighted to know that more and more tent campers are becoming members and I write this article with tent campers in mind, because it was for you that the Club was formed. I hope that what I will relate will emphasize how vital it is that you, in particular, maintain the high standards that have been responsible for the Club’s fine reputation and its acceptance by legislating authorities. As tent campers the focus will always be on you. In the early days the Caravan Club of South Africa (CCSA.) had been formed and was firmly established to care for the needs of caravaner’s, but there was no organisation to act on behalf of tent campers. I will now endeavour to illustrate the depths to which some people had dragged the name camping.
Some of the horrific examples I could relate I know you would never believe. With the annual influx of holidaymakers from up-country, it was Kwazulu Natal and the Cape which were the victims of these invasions. Therefore it was understandable that regulations had been drafted against camping and these had originated in Natal in 1962 in a document Memorandum on Caravan Parks.
Eventually they were adopted in all Provinces. The legislation stated that caravan parks shall be reserved exclusively for the use of caravaners, and campers shall be excluded. (Ironically the man who suggested this wording eventually became a staunch ally of our Club and he did much in his endeavours to assist us in our struggles for recognition.) Consequently, there were very few places where good campers, especially those with young families, could go. At this point I would like to make special mention of one very specific incident which I hope will illustrate how urgent had become the need for a Camping Club to counter this widespread prejudice, particularly among law-makers, against campers. At a time when the establishment of a caravan park in Durban was being suggested, I have poignant memories of my clash in 1969 with the Mayor of Durban, who, in a full page interview in the Sunday Tribune, 5th October 1969, stated  “I have no sympathy for tent campers. They must not come to Durban. I have often termed them bywoners (squatters).”   Moreover he went on to say, “now caravan holiday makers are people of substance and should be encouraged.”
The Club responded in the strongest possible terms and its lengthy letter was given prominence in the Natal Mercury, 23rd October 1969, together with an apology from the Mayor who stated he was referring to so-called campers, the canvas on the lorry campers and that, at no stage had good campers such as those in our Club entered his mind when he had made his remarks.

His derogatory remarks were indicative of the current image of campers, but nevertheless were quite inexcusable because they were made only some seven months after the Club had staged an exhibition of attractive Frame Tents 18 in number (15 belonging to members and three exhibited by commercial firms) on the Old Pavilion Site on Durban’s Marine Parade. Held from 1st to 2nd March 1969 it was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor on behalf of the Mayor and over the week-end it attracted 1800 visitors.

Formation and Development of the Club

There is so much I could mention, the names of so many early pioneers whose names, today, will mean nothing to present members, but who contributed so much. The formation of the Club was initiated by Jim McIntosh, an ardent camper and by profession a Physical Education Instructor.   His concern that enjoyment of the country’s rich heritage was being denied to good campers, prompted a letter to the Press and this attracted the attention of equally concerned campers who wholeheartedly supported the idea of forming a Camping Club. Initial arrangements were made in readiness for the inaugural meeting.

A draft of a simple constitution including the International Campers Code was compiled. With the stigma associated with the word campers, a suitable emblem had to be chosen. Of the designs considered, the wigwam an internationally accepted symbol of camping, was selected in the clean colours of blue and white. At the inaugural meeting held in Durban, the proposed constitution and emblem were tabled and accepted. So it was that on
8th November 1964, with just five persons, the South African Camping Club was formed with the hope that its membership would increase. The first rally held was at Karavana on the Natal South Coast, 5-6th December 1964. With no funds, a booklet containing the simple Constitution Code of Conduct and a tear-out Application Form was made on a Roneo Machine. Club pennants, bearing the wigwam emblem, and badges were made. With financial support from CI Caravans, letterheads and membership cards were printed. It was impossible to get Press coverage without advertising support which we could not afford, but pseudo letters to newspapers enquiring about a camping club gained some publicity. However, from the very outset we received wonderful support from the late Norman Castle (passed away 08 June 1992), managing director and editor of Caravan Magazine (now Caravan and Outdoor Life.) He offered his magazine at a low price as the Club official mouthpiece and this was supplied to all members. He provided free advertising, abundant space for progress and rally reports as well as other features. Through his efforts, news of the Club spread countrywide and it became known overseas through SATOUR publications, resulting in enquiries from overseas campers wishing to visit our country. The Club received invitations to attend conferences on Outdoor Recreation and Conservation which gave even greater exposure to the Club. It was Norman Castle who was responsible for the financial support from CI Caravans. Attractive and luxurious Frame Tents were available overseas and the Club was able to interest firms in importing them. Firms had exhibited them at the Rand Easter Show and the Royal Agricultural Show in Pietermaritzburg, following which members were able to equip themselves in style. However no insurance companies were prepared to give any sort of cover, until the Club succeeded in negotiating reasonably priced insurance cover for members for various categories of tents and equipment in August 1966 with SA Eagle. This was welcomed by members in all Sections with over 90 members eventually participating. Exhibition rallies were held and these tents made a wonderful display. In spite of the legislation, we were able to persuade park owners to allow a Club rally to which we would invite and entertain local council representatives who, invariably, gave their tacit approval for our members to use parks falling under their jurisdiction. Letters to caravan park owners countrywide received a positive response with the result that more and more parks were prepared to accept Club Members. Several Site Guides were being published. Both the ones issued by the South African Tourist Corporation (SATOUR) for its overseas offices and its local one, distributed by the National Tourist Bureau, contained the address of the Club. The Shell Company was also publishing a Site Guide that was freely available at its garages. Through continued liaison with the Club, it indicated by means of a letter those caravan parks countrywide that would admit members of the SACC.   Nevertheless, with all these gains, the restrictive legislation still remained in force. Now things were most encouraging; the Club had made wonderful progress in only a few years and was fast becoming an organisation recognised by park owners and local authorities alike. Therefore the time had come to protect the Club’s name and emblem against misuse by others.

Bridge

Registration of the Club

The registration proved to be a lengthy process that was commenced in 1967. By 14 May 1968 a certificate registering the Club’s name was issued by the Secretary for Cultural Affairs. However, registration of the Club’s emblem with the Bureau of Heraldry took longer and was only finalised in May 1971. The active Sections at that time were given a colour reproduction of the certificate of registration whilst the original was to be retained by the National Chairman. I sincerely hope these are still in safe care. 

The Caravan Club of S.A. (CCSA.), anxious to support us, granted us affiliation and gave us its support. It notified us of new caravan parks as they were opened so that we could negotiate on behalf of our members. Many parks became available to us by this means. Joint rallies of the two Clubs were arranged, the first one being organised by the Natal Region of the CCSA. at Dragons Peak over Easter 1965.  
Although the Club was in its infancy there were eleven families present and these included members from the Transvaal and OFS.
The next invitation came from the OFS. Region and was at 
Allemanskraal, 9-11th October 1965, where, once again, the Natal, Transvaal and OFS members met. Having gained access into Dragons Peak, the Club held its own rally there the following year over Easter 1966 and here it was that a Central Committee (later to be called the National Committee) was formed. The close liaison with the CCSA continued and our two organisations combined with the Park Owners Association, when in 1967 the Government decided to formulate its own regulations and standards for caravan parks. The rights of all three parties had to be protected and numerous meetings were held with counter proposals being successfully submitted to the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Provincial legislations were still in force at this time and it was only in 1972 that the Club’s negotiations achieved success. To overcome the impasse, numerous proposals had been submitted to the Natal Provincial Council who we knew was sympathetic and anxious to amend the contentious clause in its legislation, but the question of discrimination always arose if only our Club members were to be privileged to the continued exclusion of other campers who were taxpayers as well. As the need for change became more necessary, the wording was revised to give access to campers abiding by certain standards and here it was accepted that our Clubs standard would be the criterion. After eight years of resolute campaigning we had achieved our objective. Most of the campaigning had been taking place in Natal, but the other two Provinces had been playing very active roles.
The Transvaal Section was formed on 16th June 1965, the Chairman being Walter Dolinschek, a widely travelled and experienced camper who first introduced the Rally Badge,
 - with the Cape Section following on 3rd November 1965 under the chairmanship of Jose Burman, an advocate by profession, author of several books on outdoor recreation, a radio broadcaster as well as a speleologist. As an advocate he undertook as his contribution to compile the Club first comprehensive constitution. The Cape Section held its first rally 18th-20th February 1966 at Vergenoeg Caravan Park, Stellenbosch. The Cape Section, being remote, was the Cinderella of the Club so to speak, but a rally at Aliwal North Hot Springs Caravan Park over Easter 27-30 March 1970 convened by the Cape Section, was an excellent opportunity for members of all Sections to meet one another. Strong contingents from both the Natal and Transvaal Sections made the long trek and on the way home some members enjoyed a Wild Camp at Clarens 31st March “ 1st April, finishing up at Dragons Peak 4-6th April as guests of CCSA Johannesburg and District Region.
The OFS Section that came into being in April 1965 continued for nearly 10 years before its demise because of the difficulty in recruiting new members.  
A Zululand Branch of the Natal Section was formed in October 1974 and was very active for six years and it would be nice to see activities of the Club revived in it as well as the OFS Section.
I say this in view of the existence of the Eastern Cape Section, (at one time a branch of the Cape Section),
a Garden Route Section which I understand is being considered,
as well as the small Mpumulanga Section.  
To date I have no information of these new developments but wish them success.

A highlight in the Club history I feel worth mentioning was when it was contacted in 1975 by the Touring Club de France wishing to visit South Africa and completing its tour in Durban.   At a time when negotiations were in progress to gain admittance into the newly opened Durban Caravan Park, this Park was chosen as the venue to entertain the tourists.   Club members enthusiastically supported this venture.   The tourists were late arriving and it was quite a sight to see the long column of headlights, headed by police escorts, proceeding down the hill towards the park. 
After having enjoyed the meal prepared by our members, there were speeches after which a SATOUR film unit provided entertainment for the 20 family units.

Jackie and Robbie Lorimer (non-camping honorary member), Bob and Jenny Stanley (current camping honorary member) will, I am sure, recall that occasion. CI Caravans financed the cost of the commemorative plaques that were presented to each of the guests, whilst the next day it gave them a guided tour of its factory and afterwards entertained them to lunch at the Westville Hotel.

In conclusion I would like to say that I have gained great satisfaction from my role in helping to establish the Club which has fulfilled so much. Apart from the healthy enjoyment of the great outdoors by the members and their children, wonderful and lasting friendships have been established. These precious benefits, I know, will continue. I end therefore with my sincere good wishes to all members.

Ted Allbon

Jim Mcintosh - The Inspiration Behind the South African Camping Club

Many associations come into being as the result of a vision. This was the case with the South African Camping Club.   The person with the vision was Jim McIntosh.   Jim, a Scot by birth, had been a member of the Camping Club of Great Britain before coming to South Africa.  As a camper, therefore, Jim had become concerned that, unlike the situation overseas, facilities for tent camping in South Africa were extremely limited by restrictive legislation. This inspired him to write to a Durban newspaper appealing for support from other concerned campers.  As a result the South African Camping Club came into existence on 8th November 1964 as is known by most members.  Although Jim’s stay in South Africa was short he did witness the fulfillment of his dreams. He was its first Chairman and attended several rallies before he departed these shores.
From his early years he had always been involved in sporting activities.   He had been the Scottish Lightweight Division Weightlifting Champion from 1948 to 1955 and was British champion in 1954, the same year as he represented Scotland at the Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada. It was fitting therefore that after arriving in South Africa he became the Sports Coach at the, then, Northlands Boys’ High School in Durban North.  Despite his successes and his popularity, the politics of the day dictated that his talents went unrecognized with no prospects of advancement, so he emmigrated in 1970 to the USA where, at the Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro he became the coach and trainer for its Basketball and Baseball players. From the Western Kentucky University he earned his Master of Science degree in Physical Education. His popularity was never forgotten by many of his ex-students at Northlands Boys’ High, some of whom, in the last few years have sponsored trips to bring him back to South Africa where each one, in turn, hosted him.
It was not long after he retired that his wife, Ray, died. To fill this void in his life he immersed himself in his golf and kayaking.  In addition he ran Physical Training classes for the community in Ocala, Florida where he lived in his retirement.  In his VW Westphalia Campervan he was able to indulge his love of camping and visited many of the wonderful beauty spots in America.
 His love of South Africa never wavered and he returned numerous times apart from the recent sponsored trips mentioned earlier. He was looking forward to one final visit next year but cancer detected in February spread rapidly and he passed away in his sleep on 25 August. Whenever he visited Moyra and me we would take him to the Way back in our early camping his family and ours spent several enjoyable holidays together at the Mahai campsite in Royal Natal National Park.

I know that Jim will be unknown to current members but it would be totally amiss not to give recognition and pay tribute to the man whose vision resulted in our Club that has given so much enjoyment and healthy outdoor living to all of us, young and old.   For those of us who did know him what wonderful memories he has left.

At his memorial service a feature on display was the wooden plaque with his SA Camping Club rally badges.

Ted Allbon