SAMBA HISTORY

1975 – 2005 – 30 Years on

The “South African Multiple Birth Association” (SAMBA) started in South Africa in 1975 under the name of “ Mothers of Twins Association” (MOTA).

In 1975 Eileen Franklyn of Durban wrote to Living & Loving asking if there were any other mothers of twins who might be interested in joining a Parents of Twins Club. The initial enquiry was made after Eileen had spent a couple of years in America, where they have had clubs running for over 50 years. She came back to South Africa with the idea of starting a club here. The response was very good and so MOTA (Mothers of Twins Association) was born. The first organization for mothers of twins was organised in July 1975 in Durban. The annual subscription fee was R10 a couple. Elizabeth Rogers was the first chairwoman for the area. MOTA’s primary purpose was to broaden the understanding and assist in the development and rearing of twins through the guidance and co-operation of parents, educators, doctors and other interested persons having appropriate experience.

After MOTA started in Natal, she managed to open a group in Johannesburg, under the Chairmanship of Meg Levine. Since then, many regions such as Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Pretoria, North West, etc.

MOTA’s first major function was held at Zoo Lake, Johannesburg in June 1976.

In Winter 1976 a group in Rhodesia was formed

MOTA’s first anniversary was celebrated with a Fashion Happening which took place at the Cabana Beach Hotel Umhlanga Rocks. There was a “cast” of 60: twenty sets of twins and their mothers took part. The twins’ ages ranged from 10 months to 6 years and they looked adorable wearing clothes from Princess and Servus Woolworths range. Woolworths provided a special birthday cake and sweets for the party that followed. The Major of Umhlanga led the singing of “Happy Birthday”. Everyone agreed…it was a “howling” success.

At the end of 1976, Sue Gordon established a region in the Cape.

The first National Newspaper, Gemini Review, appeared in Autumn 1977 and was destributed to 200 members in 3 regions – Cape, Natal, Johannesburg.

In the Autumn 1977 Gemini Review (newsletter) an average birthrate of 4 white twins born in Cape Town every month was recorded.

The Cape branch broke away from the countrywide MOTA to form Parents of Twins Association, Cape (POTAC) in April 1978. POTAC was affiliated to SAMBA for two years and then incorporated.

In February 1979 the Lowveld branch followed. Sheryl Hedenskog was the chairwoman for Nelspruit and Ann Olds the chairwoman for White River.

By 11 July 1979 MOTA had 6 triplets and 1 quadruplet registered.

On Wednesday 16 January 1980, a branch for the Free State followed in Bloemfontein, with Marlene Esterhuizen as chairwoman.

In February 1980 a branch followed in Port Elizabeth with Kay McIver and Suzanne Engelbrecht. Their aim being to assist mothers with all aspects of rearing multiple birth children. 20 mothers of twins attended the first get together.

In July 1981 the name was changed from MOTA to SAMBA. The logo and Moto, “Where God choose the members”, remained unchanged.

Gemini Review December 1981:
Twin pushchair bought in 1803

This twin pushchair was imported from England and bought in King Williams Town in 1803. It is the only one of its kind in South Africa and is probably the oldest twin pushchair in the country. Should our members be aware of any other antique twin pushchairs or any antique equipment pertaining to twins or triplets please let the editor of Gemini Review have the details and picture if possible.

1982:
The National Executive organised an evening at the theatre
The annual seminar was held at the Rosebank Hotel with the theme “The future lies within you”
SAMBA assisted AMBA(Australia) with a worldwide research program – The “Pill survey”

1983:
The theme of the year was “Communication” with the emphasis on “Awareness and Compassion”. At the end of August 1983 a seminar was held at the Rosebank Hotel with the theme “Communication”.
SAMBA pledged their support to the University of the Witwatersrand in their aim to establish a National Birth Register of all multiples born in South Africa.
With the help of all 5 regional committees SAMBA drew up an up-to-date SAMBA Membership Register and instituted a standardized system of accounting resulting in the first combined balance sheet.
The president attended the Fourth International Congress in June in London.

1984:
Brought the country wide launch of the “Handbook for expectant parents of multiples” compiled and written by Kathy Southgate
SAMBA welcomed their first affiliated member POTAC (Parents of Twins Association Cape)
SAMBA formulated ideas for the launch of a Junior Club (multiples 8-12 years of age and their parents)
SAMBA drew up an up-to-date emergency list and formed closer bonds with the support organisations listed.
In 1984 the Eastern Cape again broke away from SAMBA and formed CMBA (Cape Multiple Birth Association).

1990
SUPPORT is SAMBA’s motto

Tamzon du Plessis agreed to set up a special needs register within SAMBA and to act as a liaison and a sympathetic ear for all moms who have multiples with a disability.

April: Samba hosted a SAMBA Tea Party in Pretoria on the 28th. Ann Christodoulou won the prize for the most original table “twins table”, Brenda Rocher won the prize for the most beautiful table “tea for a friend” and Ilse du Preez won the prize for the traditional table “Switzerland”

June: The first National Twins Day planned for June(month of the Gemini star sign)

On 8 September SAMBA hosted a National Convention in Johannesburg

October: A Multiples at school workshop was held in Johannesburg to answer all those worrying questions.
The Parents and twins Association Cape (POTAC) decided to join SAMBA as a full member – the 6th region of SAMBA (Cape Town and surrounding areas).

The membership fee increased from R25 (since 1989) to R27 in 1990.

Samba issued 3 newsletters during the year and The Gemini Review in November – also the international publication which was sent abroad.

1991
The SAMBA National Convention was held in collaboration with the Department of Education and Directorate Culture Affairs at Milpark Holiday Inn in Johannesburg.

1992
SAMBA started a second hand market column in the Gemini.
SAMBA welcomed a new region – Kimberley.
SAMBA started a support group for parents of premature babies.

1993
SAMBA introduced a series of pamphlets.
The membership fees increased to R40 a year.
A seminar for expectant parents was held in Sandton in February.
SAMBA approached companies regarding discounts on their products.
SAMBA welcomed the Port Elizabeth region – now a total of 14 regions.
The Expectant Parent Handbook was rewritten and copied.

1994
The membership fees for the year: R 40-00.
The “twins in transit” stickers were sold at R5 each.
The Chairladies workshop was held on Saturday 4 June. The guest speaker was Ann Christodoulou (past SAMBA president) and the topic was “Dealing with the death of a multiple”.
The Twins Handbook - for sale for the first time.
The Gemini (National newsletter) was published once a year. The regional newsletters were distributed monthly.
SAMBA started a support group for single/divorced parents of multiples.

1995
SAMBA started the National Executive Committee – to be utilized as a back up to the National Committee.

1996
SAMBA hosted a Toddlers Workshop in August.
SAMBA advertised a handbook called “The More the Merrier” – a comprehensive study on the day to day life with twins and more.
SAMBA celebrated it’s 21 year on 10 November 1996 with a formal function.
Membership fees for the year: R65.00.

1997
SAMBA hosted a Chairlady Seminar and Expectant Parent Seminars

1998
SAMBA hosted a Chairlady Seminar and Expectant Parent Seminars

1999
The annual membership fee charged: R 95-00
SAMBA distributed a monthly newsletter: Multiple Express(Junior/Senior)
Three times a year SAMBA publicised a magazine: Multiplicity
SAMBA hosted a
*School Readiness Seminar(Gauteng)
*Domestic Seminar in July
*Discipline Seminar(Gauteng) in August
*A Nutrition and Sleep Disorder Seminar(Gauteng) in September
SAMBA hosted 2 Expectant Parents Seminars
Competitions for 1999,
* Mother’s Day,
*Women’s Day,
*SAMBA Senior Competition,
*Photo Competition,
*Colouring Competition,
*Short Story and Poetry Competition,
*Father’s Day Competition
SAMBA distributed 750 newsletters each month
SAMBA ordered new T-Shirts(jade with a white print, Multiple Madness, age 1-8 and adult medium, large, x-large)

2000
The annual membership fee charged: R110-00
SAMBA hosted a Chairlady Seminar on 4 March 2000 attended by the National Committee members and all the Chairladies
A television advert was made with the aim of winning advertising awards….using SAMBA! The company involved covered the costs. Saatchi and Saatchi’s SAMBA TV ad was aired on MNET the first week of July
SAMBA started a Special needs Support System
SAMBA featured “Ask Dr Tish” – A monthly column publishing medically related questions answered by Dr Tish
SAMBA set up it’s own web page
An international liaison and a pamphlet developer came on board
SAMBA hosted a mother’s day, father’s day, annual photo competition as well as a short story competition
SAMBA set up a Maxicall number, 0861 432 432 – the calls will be diverted to the current SAMBA contact person
The president, Juan Bainton, and Amanda Du Plessis(SAMBA senior newsletter editor) represented SAMBA on Kyknet’s Voorblad programme on DSTV in November
SAMBA arranged a “TWINS+” day, but unfortunately it was cancelled
SAMBA hosted 3 Expectant Parent Seminars
SAMBA started up a group in the Northern province
SAMBA was in the process of registering as a non-profit organisation with the Department of Social development

2001
Juan Bainton stepped down as president and Megan Veldman agreed to take the reins until someone volunteers
Pamela Passoni agreed to take over the presidency
The SAMBA Chairladies were issued with 6 SAMBA tins to raise funds to help needy families in their area. These tins were designed by Saatchi & Saatchi and were awarded the Gold & Grand Prix Lourie in the category of graphic design
SAMBA hosted 3 Expectant Parent Seminars; the mother’s day, father’s day and annual photo competitions
SAMBA distributed the Multiple Express and SAMBA senior (newsletters – monthly) and the Multiplicity (Magazine-quarterly)
Cape Town, under Sue-Ann Redelinghuis, decided to break away from SAMBA to start their own Association for Twins and Triplets in the Cape (Western/Northern)
Jill Grills was awarded best Chairlady for 2001

2002
SAMBA received new stickers
SAMBA sorted out the SAMBA archives
Saatchi and Saatchi did a lovely e-mail advert exe file using SAMBA
SAMBA hosted 3 Expectant Parent Seminars and a Mother’s day, Father’s day and Annual Photo competition
Linda Young was awarded Best chairlady for 2002

2003
SAMBA distributed the newsletter, Multiple Express, to all the members. As from June 2003 the newsletter’s name changed to Multiple Magic - a bimonthly issue
SAMBA distributed 700 newsletters bi-monthly
SAMBA hosted 3 Expectant Parent Seminars and a Mother’s day, Father’s day and Annual Photo competition

2004
The annual membership fee charged: R 130-00
SAMBA hosted a chairlady seminar, 3 Expectant Parent Seminars and a Mother’s day, Father’s day and Annual Photo competition
SAMBA distributed 500 newsletters bi-monthly
SAMBA worked on and completed a database to have everyone’s details at our fingertips

2005
Celebrating 30 years! To celebrate, SAMBA arranged give-aways and competitions
SAMBA’s new t-shirts and new stickers arrived!
SAMBA hosted 3 Expectant Parent Seminars and a Mother’s day, Father’s day, Kids Competition and Annual Photo competition
A new Western Cape chairlady finally came on board.

Previous SAMBA Presidents:

1975 Eileen Franklin
1976 Eileen Franklin
1977 Eileen Franklin
1978 Eileen Franklin
1979 Penny Johnson
1980 Penny Johnson
1981 Penny Johnson
1982 Penny Johnson
1983 Inga Schmitz
1984 Inga Schmitz
1985 Jennifer O’Hare
1986 Jennifer O’Hare
1987 Ann McGuiness
1988 Ann McGuiness
1989 Ann Christodoulou
1990 Ann Christodoulou
1991 Alida Van Eeden
1992 Alida Van Eeden
1993 Wendy Dorgan
1994 Diane Kyle (SAMBA nearly disbanded in 1994)
1995 Gail Duim (Emigrated)
1996 Vicky Townley
1997 Angela Fourie (Emigrated)
1998 Megan Veldman
1999 Megan Veldman
2000 Juan Bainton
2001 Juan Bainton
2002 Pamela Passoni
2003 Juliet Brits
2004 Linda Young
2005 Jacky B. Vernon
2006 Jacky B. Vernon
2007 National Steering Committee: Michelle Cuerden, Graham Cuerden , Liesl Ross, Graeme Ross and Jacky B. Vernon
2008 National Steering Committee: Michelle Cuerden, Graham Cuerden , Liesl Ross, Graeme Ross and Jacky B. Vernon