I've been a member of this board for over three years and had never heard of this "motivation letter" thing.
I just happen to stumble over the topic on the African Travel board.

Would someone enlighten me please?

Thanks

Elmo

This is one of the letters you must provide when applying to bring guns into South Africa. It is new within the past year. It is one of the few documents you write yourself, rather than have someone else send to you. Definition below:

Motivation / Application Letter addressed to The Central Firearms Register stating that you have been invited by the outfitter to hunt in South Africa. The letter must include full name, address and phone numbers of the Outfitters. Also full details of the kind of hunting and firearms which you intend to use for that purpose.

Check with Louis Bekker or Optima on this - they were very helpful. Good luck

just write something to the effect that you are an out of work Mercenary looking for work..

ok, I understand the motivation letter if you are hunting in RSA. What if you are traveling/touring with firearms in RSA after hunting in another country?

I had to come up with a Motivation Letter even though I am just overnighting in JNB on my way to ZIM. Here is what I drafted.

YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL

DATE

Central Firearms Register
Private Bag X 811
Pretoria
South Africa
0001

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please be informed that I, YOUR NAME, a United States citizen, USA Passport Number XXXXXXXXXX (expiry xx July, 200x), residing at YOUR ADDRESS, USA will be hunting with NAME OF SAFARI COMPANY, ADDRESS OF SAFARI COMPANY [PHONE AND FAX OF SAFARI COMPANY]. My wife, WIFE'S NAME, a United States citizen, USA Passport Number XXXXXXXXX (expiry xx July, 200x) will be accompanying me.

The safari will be conducted by NAME OF PH, PH'S PROFESSIONAL HUNTER LICENSE NUMBER, PHONE # OF PH. The safari will be conducted between [beginning date and ending date of safari] on [name of concession(s)].

I will be hunting the following; [list animals to be hunted]. In order to conduct this hunt I will be using the following firearms; [list firearms maker, action (bolt, etc.), model number, serial number, calibre]. I will require xx rounds of ammunition for the .375 H&H rifle and xx rounds of ammunition for the .416 Remington Magnum.

I will need a Temporary Import Firearms Permit for South Africa as I will be arriving Johannesburg on [date] and staying overnight at [Afton Guest House, ADDRESS, PHONE, CONTACT PERSON]. On my return from Zimbabwe on [date], I will be again staying overnight at Afton Guest House before my return flight to the US on xy, July, 2005.

If you need anything further, please contact me at the number listed above.

Regards,

Terry L. Carr


NOTE: After looking at the letter again, I would probably also add the Airline's Name, Flight Number and Arrival/Departure Time for all flights.

quote:

Originally posted by Ropes:
just write something to the effect that you are an out of work Mercenary looking for work..

Thanks Terry. Once again you come up with a usefull answer to some of the pain in the butt problems that always seen to arise. The timing if perfect, I leave for RSA on Sunday. Since I saw no copyright on your sample letter, I am busy plagiarizing it and passing it off as my own.

Maybe we should start a betting pool. On what date will the required paperwork outweigh your gun.

Dave

Thanks Boys


Terry

You really are a great help around here. If we ever meet, the drinks are on me.

Elmo

The Republic ( I use that term loosely) of South Africa can flat out bugger off. I will not spend another rand in that country unless they change their ways, which I know is not likely. Namibia again for me in '06 until they go down the toilet, which I hear won't be far off.

My understanding is PHASA has a sample letter.

My PH had taken this sample letter, filled it in with all of the correct information, and then Emailed it to me. I just made a couple of copies, signed them and then put them in a couple of different locations for easy access.


Fred

Guys

I think once again it boils down to operators in RSA having their S--- together or not. The people I work with take care of all this business making entry to RSA as easy or easier than some places I've been.

Regards,

Mark

What we have here is a SAPS example of anarcho-tyranny.

This means the police ignore violent crime while jerking around the law-abiding. If you look for other examples around you, you will find many.

jim

Mark

The outfit I'm hunting with shortly advised me that they are sending me a package of documents, but are waiting until right before my trip date in case the regulations change yet again. Is it really that volatile?

Elmo

yep, you have to have a letter like this. They took mine and kept it. Even the people overnighting and going on in Africa were trying to write one on the spot because no one told them they had to have it. I got my permit and they were still waiting.

Here's what PHASA says about the Motivation Letter.

Motivation Letter from Client
This is a letter from the client stating that he is temporarily importing the referred to firearm/s for the purpose of hunting, to include that the firearm/s are required as he will be hunting (list the species to be hunted), etc.

Even though Optima is acquiring my license in advance, I am still taking a complete set of documents/forms just in case.

Regards,

Terry

quote:

Originally posted by T.Carr:

....

Even though Optima is acquiring my license in advance, I am still taking a complete set of doucments/forms just in case.

Regards,

Terry

Terry,

I'm using Optima and that's my plan also. I'm headed over on August 21. And, thanks for the example text of your motivation letter! That will help.

-Bob F.

Thanks Terry. My wife transferred it over to Microsoft Word and I have filled in the blanks with my info. Off in a week to South Africa!

Grafton,
It would be better for you to "check" your firearm with one of the persons licensed to "hold" other persons firearms while you travel. We did this on one trip. Worked like a charm. Only thing, you must, of course, being leaving thru the same airport you arrived at! It will eleminate a lot of hassels storing your firearm at the hotel or police station. The fees for this service are very nominal, and the people will meet you at the airport and pick the firearm up. I assume that this is still an available options under the RSA gun laws. Kudude