On the occasion of a symposium celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA), the history of the Society is outlined in terms of its different ‘growth stages’ under different political dispensations and geographical headquarters, of its 34 organized symposia and of the 34 outstanding zoologists who have been awarded the Society's highest honour, the Gold Medal. The office bearers of the ZSSA Council from its inception to the present are documented. Changes to the Society's journal and newsletter are briefly discussed. It is concluded that the Society faces ‘midlife’ with a solid foundation and positive future, but complacency should be avoided. In particular, the Society's journal requires invigoration and enthusiastic commitment, particularly from high-ranking members, to submit excellent manuscripts to the journal, so as to boost its impact factor and allow it to become globally competitive.