BUDGERIGARS
THE fancy in South Africa is probably modelled on the UK system, but there are differences. The Budgerigar Society of South Africa (BSSA) is the national organisation for budgerigars, but there are all-variety organisations and the canary fancy is very strong, too.
There are differences between the hobby in the UK and South Africa.
Organised exhibitions have yet to make headway in the black and coloured communities, despite a massive fancy of non-exhibiting hobbyists – the past 20 years have seen massive changes, but not everything changes overnight.
By contrast, about 60 per cent of the BSSA, which has about 300 members, exhibit regularly at the top shows. Fanciers are far more focused than in Britain and if they keep exhibition budgerigars they do the job properly. It’s their number
