Page 12 - Cape Camera June 2024 edits

June 2024 Cape Camera Cape Camera June 2024

Eric Vertue, CTPS President and writer. A section of a poster designed by Antenie Carstens.

PSSA and CTPS come a long way

CTPS members played a significant role in the 70-year history of PSSA — one of them
was Eric Vertue, who was editor of the first PSSA newsletter, says Trudi du Toit.

The histories of CTPS and PSSA are other editors can but strive to emu-
closely intertwined. Five CTPS mem- PSSA Presidents from CTPS late. You can read the newsletters on
bers have served the local photo- Robert Bell 1956 - 1958 the PSSA website here.
graphic community as PSSA Presi- Ted Dickenson 1968 -1969 This prompted the first PSSA Presi-
dents during the past 70 years (see Roy Johannesson 1973 -1975 dent, Dr. Kin Bensusan, to write in
box on the right). Frank Reuvers 1989 -1991 the second issue of Camera News:
Currently, three members serve as Frank Reuvers 1994 -1996 “Let us hope that in our lifetimes we
PSSA directors and members of the can look back on this first volume as a
Executive Committee (EXCOM) — Francois Roux 2005 - 2007 ‘turning point’ or a ‘rallying point’ for
Francois Roux (secretary and treas- Francois Roux 2019 -2021 the unification of scattered interests of
urer), Evelyn Gibson (PRO) and Nicol our National photography. ”
du Toit (2nd Vice President and West- of the movement and even in its infan-
ern Cape Regional Director). See the cy give their support — it is now that 100 Year History
editorial on p3. this support is required, for tomorrow Eric deserves the gratitude of CTPS
The CTPS member who, however, the movement will be such that it will members past, present and future,
played an influential role in PSSA for embrace all. for recording the history of the so-
the longest time was Eric Vertue, edi- ciety in a publication to celebrate
tor of the first journal, Camera News. Eric set a high standard with the the centenary in 1990, descriptively
He was equally influential in CTPS, monthly PSSA newsletters he pro- called Cape Town Photographic Soci-
serving as President for nine terms duced from April 1955 to January ety 100 Years. Sadly, only a photocop-
and being a prominent member of 1960. He was assisted by an editorial ied version of the book remains.
council, editing the club newsletter, team of CTPS members. Eric joined CTPS in September 1936
writing a book about the first 100 He explained the role of the jour- and in 1987 celebrated his 50th year
years of our society and establishing nal as follows: To link together more as a member of the society with a par-
the CTPS Survey Group. closely the members of this new body ty organised by the council. During
He was one of the strong supporters ... In particular it will be of use to the this time he served several terms as
of the formation of a Photographic many lone workers who have no fellow CTPS President and served on coun-
Society for South Africa, promoted photographers to turn to for that little cil continually till the late 1980’s — a
by Dr Kin Bensusan. For example, in chat, which all camera owners love so period on which CTPS members
his first editorial he wrote: It is a sin- dearly.” can look back with pride and grati-
cere wish that those persons still be- From the first issue, he fulfilled this tude. His wife, Vera, was secretary for
yond the P.S.S.A. will sense the sincerity promise by producing content that many years. Continued p13

12 Cape Town Photographic Society