rotary africa feb 2015

rotary africaEstabl ished in 1927 ♦ A member of the Rotary World Magazine Press ♦ February 2015

Celebrate survivalTrip to generate awareness and

www.rotaryafrica.com

CREATIVITY IS THINKING UP NEW THINGS. INNOVATION IS DOING NEW THINGS.

Sales: (011) 825-1100 | Sales Fax: (011) 825-7428

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

or visit www.lasher.co.za or www.lasher.mobi or find us on facebook or twitter

Ecobarrow Screwdriver Set Combination Rake

Hosepipe with fittingsKudu

Hedge Shear

4 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ February 2015

From the editor...Editor Sarah van HeerdenAdministration Sharon Robertson

Chairman Gerald SieberhagenDirectors Greg Cryer Peter Dupen Andy Gray David Jenvey Richard Tolken

Publisher Rotary in Africa Reg. No. 71/04840/08 (incorp. association not for gain) PBO No: 18/13/13/3091 Registered at the GPO as a newspaper

Design & Layout Rotary in Africa

Printers Colour Planet, Pinetown

Advertising Sharon Robertson Sarah van Heerden Tariff card on request at www.rotaryafrica.com

Subscriptions Sharon Robertson www.rotaryafrica.com (digital)

Contributions [email protected]

Distribution Rotary Districts 9210, 9211, 9212, 9220, 9350, 9370 and 9400 (Southern and Eastern Africa)

Contact Rotary Africa P.O. Box 563 Westville 3630 South Africa

Telephone 0027 (31) 267 1848Fax 0027 (31) 267 1849Email [email protected] www.rotaryafrica.com

The Rotary Emblem, Rotary International, Rotary, Rotary Club and Rotarian are trademarks of Rotary International and are used under licence. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Rotary Africa, Rotary International or The Rotary Foundation.

Meet our teamwhY we do this

Sarah

i know that as Rotarians you regularly witness heart-wrenching situations but instead of allowing them depress you, you use them to motivate you on your path of service Above self. i truly admire that about Rotarians.

When I have the time, I volunteer for a charity which supports single, widowed and divorced South African moms (solo moms) who are raising their children with little or no support from the fathers. A woman helped by this organisation was unemployed because her son’s critical heart condition required her to constantly monitor him. In November the five-year-old had heart surgery. After he had been operated on, she was told he would not survive. But he did. His mom was poorly educated, I suspect semi-literate. Some may have thought of her as ‘low class’. However, she was a brilliant mom. She learned everything about her son’s condition - the terminology and knowledge she had acquired was astounding. In December, she was rushed to hospital and into surgery. About an hour later, her son had a stroke and was admitted to ICU. Weeks passed and the two remained in separate ICU wards. The boy was waiting (and still is) to be transferred to a state hospital in Durban to treat the clot in his brain. The mom was repeatedly operated on. Both remained critical. On 21 January, the mom passed away. Her two young sons are now orphans and I worry about their future care.

Being involved reinforced one of my strongest beliefs - community service organisations, such as Rotary, will always be needed. Without Rotary and other organisations, millions would live in despair and without the support they need as they face the challenges of life.

So, if you ever have a day when you wonder why you are a Rotarian, I have an answer for you. You bring hope, you banish despair, you are a lifeline, a healer, a helper, a builder, a source of support and, I am sure, most of the time you don’t even realise how important this makes you! Rotary serves a vital, yet often unacknowledged, role in society and that is why you are a Rotarian.

As for the mom who passed away, I won’t forget her. In life many would have probably considered her a ‘nobody’, but even though she was poor, she was a wonderful mom who had big dreams for her baby boys. I think that makes her pretty darn special - a ‘somebody’ worth remembering.

Have a wonderful month,

Rotary Africa Magazine


reg

ula

rs

Gary CK HuangPresident, Rotary International

Message from the

RI President

on the webSpeeches and news from RI President Gary CK Huang at www.rotary.org/president

deAR fellow RotARiAns,

As president of Rotary, it’s my job to encourage and inspire Rotarians wherever i meet them. it’s also my job to listen to what they have to say. whether it’s a successful project or a challenge to overcome, a great Rotary day or a new idea, i want to hear what Rotarians are thinking, doing and planning. so whenever i travel, i ask my hosts to talk to me about their clubs. what’s going well, where do they see a need to improve and what can we at Ri headquarters do to help?

The answers are always interesting and often surprising. Sometimes I have a suggestion or an idea to contribute; sometimes I am able to make a connection that will move a project forward. Often, I go back to Evanston with ideas and insights that help guide us in our decisions. But what I value most about these conversations are the stories I hear – the stories that, taken together, tell the story of Rotary.

In Atlanta, I attended a Rotary event honouring teachers and heard story after story about the gift of literacy and how it transforms lives. In Istanbul, I attended a wheelchair race and learned how Turkish Rotarians are working to improve the lives

of people with disabilities. In Lima, Peru, I talked to a former Rotaractor who waited nearly 20 years to be invited to join a Rotary club and heard about how returning to Rotary has transformed her life.

I’ve heard stories that have made me laugh and stories that have moved me to tears. I’ve heard stories of how our service changes the lives of others and how it changes us as Rotarians. When I hear these stories, I can’t help but wonder: how many other lives could we change for the better by bringing more people into Rotary? And how many more people could we bring into Rotary simply by sharing our own Rotary stories?

In this Rotary year, I ask all of you to do just that: share your Rotary stories. Tell them to your friends, on social media and through Rotary.org. Our Rotary stories are what inspire us and what encourage others to join us; they help light up our service, as we work to Light Up Rotary.


every three years the Rotary foundation sponsors a peace symposium as a pre-convention activity. the next peace symposium will be held in são Paulo, Brazil on 4-5 June 2015.

The triennial peace symposium is the vehicle to showcase our Peace Fellows – the Master’s degree and certificate graduates of our peace programme; to educate our Rotarians about this peace-related education and scholarship programme; to introduce our donors and potential donors to the programme and to explore ways that Rotarians and Peace Fellows can collaborate for peace-building.

Highlights of each peace symposium have included international speakers in the peace field such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu, breakout sessions featuring Peace Fellows working on the front lines to build peace and Rotarians active in the peace field.

The 2015 first plenary session will feature 1987 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Oscar Arias Sánchez of Costa Rica.

The São Paulo peace symposium committee’s plans for this symposium are creative, exciting and not previously offered at past symposia. It will involve the 80 peace fellow alumni in attendance.

If you have never attended a peace symposium, this is a very special opportunity that will inform and educate you about Rotary’s service to promote peace. If you have attended any of the symposia in Salt Lake City, Birmingham or Bangkok, you will especially appreciate this innovative programme.

I look forward to seeing you there!

ROTARYMembers: 1 220 115Clubs: 34 558

ROTARACT Members: 169 395Clubs: 7 365

INTERACTMembers:396 980 Clubs: 17 260

RCCsMembers: 186 093 Corps: 8 091

Rotary at a Glance

as of 1 October 2014

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

first. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

second. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

third. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;

fourth. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Of the things we think, say or do:1) Is it the TRUTH?2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

object of Rotary

the four-way test

what you should know

Hope to see you there!

Foundation trustee chair, John Kenny


Rotary Resort

Badplaas

The one-week holiday destination for Senior Citizens• EnjoyyournextholidayinasafeenvironmentwithnewfriendsfromoneSundaytothenext.

• Thefamoushotwaterspringsareonly500metresawayfromusandweprovidetransporttotheHydroSpaeverymorning.

• Whileyourelaxwespoilyouwiththreemealsdaily.

• YouwillloveournewindoorheatedswimmingpoolandJacuzzi.

• YourregulartelevisionprogrammescanbeviewedonDSTV.

• Theelegantlyfurnishedrooms,thesceneryandthemountainsensureanunforgettableallinclusivebreak-awayweek.

• Alltheroomsarefortwopersonstosharesopleasebringafriend.

• Themostaffordableholidayinthecountry.

For Bookings or more information Contact Engela at 017-844-1060 or email

[email protected]

Symposiumconvention countdown

in 1987, oscar Arias sánchez won the nobel Peace Prize. this year, he’ll be the keynote speaker at the Rotary Peace symposium in são Paulo, Brazil. the event, 4-5 June, will bring together Rotary Peace fellows, alumni and Rotarians interested in peace and conflict prevention and resolution – one of Rotary’s six areas of focus.

Arias, who served as president of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in talks that helped bring peace to Central America during a time of crisis and turmoil.

At the symposium, you’ll also hear from Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair John Kenny and Past Foundation Trustee Carolyn Jones. During breakout sessions, you’ll learn about topics such as peace, human trafficking, indigenous peoples and land rights and the impact of water on peace and economics.

The Rotary Peace Symposium (registration US$150) will be held at the Anhembi convention centre, also the site of the Rotary International Convention, 6-9 June. The symposium will kick off on 3 June with an unofficial “unconference”. Other optional events include a dinner on 4 June (US$100) and a reception on 5 June (US$40).

Learn more and register at www.riconvention.org/peace

Register for the 2015 RI Convention at www.riconvention.org


TIme To SHowCaSe youR PRojeCTS

Rotary Regional image Co-ordinator, PdG shirley downie (Zone 20A south)

Public image for you

Rotary showcase allows clubs and districts to boast about their projects. it has other benefits that will allow Rotarians from other countries to experience different project ideas which they can use. the impact tracker includes useful information of the number of project volunteers, how long they spent on the project and the value of contributions made in either cash or kind.

You can load your project or event via the Internet browser. Register your project by signing

into Rotary.org. From there, you need to click on the Develop

Projects tab in the Take Action menu. You can include the partners of your project and club, an overview of the project, information about the volunteers, the hours spent on the project and the impact it had on the community. It is also worth using other social media such as Facebook, Twitter and your district or club blog and website, to showcase your projects. Tell the world what Rotarians and Rotaractors do!

Get it done early!Send your club details for inclusion in the Which Club Meets

Today directory to: [email protected]


on 23 february 1905, Rotary was formed in Chicago by four professionals. today we have more than 1.2 million Rotarians offering humanitarian service in more than 200 countries.

So how can we celebrate Rotary’s 110th anniversary? Here are a few suggestions.

• Buy or make a long cake or pizza measuring 110 feet (33.528 metres). Cut the cake or pizza and share it with everyone. Leftovers can be given to the orphanages or old age homes in your area. This should attract extensive media exposure and generate activity on social media sites. If it is done in a shopping mall then you could enjoy greater exposure.

• Bake a Rotary cake with 110 candles on it and take it to your club meeting during the week of 23 February.

• Ask club members to offer 110 minutes of community service (or 110 hours collectively) during February.

• Ask your fellow club members to contribute 110 of your currency to The Foundation and encourage your friends and family to

do the same. • Prepare 110 packs of sweets and food for

school children.• Make 110 meals for needy people.• Donate 110 books to a school library.• Give 110 stationery packs, toys or goods

to needy people and children.• Share your favourite Rotary story or

experience since you joined Rotary. Post your story on social media sites and tell it to your fellow club members at a dedicated evening celebrating Rotary.

• Organise a great meal. Ask your club to invite 110 non-Rotarians as its guests and celebrate what Rotary is about during your event.

• Feed a 110 needy people• Spend 110 minutes with a disadvantaged

person

Post details and photos of all your events on your website, Facebook, Twitter as well as any other social media you belong to.

Celebrate with style, share this great news and invite as many people to celebrate 110 years of Rotary.

Celebrate 110 years


on a normal day, Peter Paul opata works out of an office in Kampala, Uganda, where he directs an hiV/Aids outreach programme for young people. But in April, the former Rotary Peace fellow found himself in a middle school classroom in eastern Missouri, explaining to curious students that no, he did not regularly meet lions in the streets of his home town. the discussion had veered off course during the anti-bullying training that opata and fellow alumnus Maria Celeste Morell were leading. still, opata and Morell, who is from Argentina, were happy to answer questions about life in their parts of the world.

The two were in Missouri as part of a seven-person vocational training team that aimed to teach young people how to analyse the effects of bullying and to help them make their schools more peaceful. The team members – six of them peace fellows – split into three groups across District 6060 to train 800 students at 17 middle and high schools.

For Savannah Boehlein, a student at Louisiana High School who participated in the training with Opata and Morell, the programme reinforced the

idea that everything a person says – positive or negative – has an effect. “In the training, they gave a girl a tube of toothpaste and had her squirt all of it out,” she recalls. “Then they had another girl try to get it back in the tube. You can say anything you want, just like you can squeeze all of the toothpaste out of the tube. But can you put it back? Take back what was said?”

The programme was eye-opening, says Lori Helkey, a member of the Rotary Club of Louisiana (D6060), who serves on the board of the local school district. She noted the commonalities between the struggles of youth in her city and those in other parts of the world. “Young people in Africa are having many of the same issues, maybe on a different scale and in different ways, but the root problem is similar,” she says.

Kate Schwadron, 2013/14 governor of District 6060, started the programme to spread the word about the Rotary Peace Centres and to incorporate conflict resolution into a grant project for her district. “The one peace problem that I perceive to be widespread in this country is bullying,” she explains.

After securing a US$16 000 Rotary Foundation

godfrey’s mission

A former Ugandan Peace Fellow is working to end bullying

Former Rotary Peace Fellow Godfrey mukalazi speaks to a class in missouri about the effects of bullying.


peo

ple

District Grant, Schwadron teamed up with former Rotary Peace Fellow Godfrey Mukalazi, who was already working on a peace project funded by a Foundation Global Grant with high school students and teachers in his native Uganda.

Mukalazi recruited five other peace fellows – Opata, Morell, Juliana Amal-Obonyo of Uganda, Arik Gutler-Ofir of Israel, and Noëlle DePape of Canada – along with Mercy Shahale, a USAID development officer from Kenya.

Rotary Peace Fellows can earn a Master’s degree related to peace and conflict prevention and resolution at universities in Australia, England, Japan, Sweden and the United States, or complete a three month certificate programme at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. The scholarships are fully funded by Rotary.

Rotary is aiming to raise US$150 million by 30

June 2017 to create a permanent endowment for the programme.

Besides making a strong impression on the students, the peace fellows were popular among the Rotary members they met.

“Rotarians couldn’t stop talking about how amazing they were,” Schwadron says.

Opata, in turn, says that listening to Rotarians’ stories was “inspiring. There are so many differences, but our hopes are similar.”

The success of the anti-bullying programme, along with the peace fellows’ impact on the students, Rotarians, and each other, impressed Schwadron, who is convinced that “the way the world will become a more peaceful place is through Rotarians and peace fellows.”

– SUSIE MA

The vocational training team aimed to teach young people how to make their school a peaceful place.

Promoting Rotary and your club?Contact Sharon to buy back-issues of Rotary Africa, at a reduced rate,

for your project promotions. Email: [email protected]

there are a number of ways one could celebrate beating cancer. A group of 65 Cancer.vive members chose to don motorcycle jackets and bright bandannas and explore scenic eastern south Africa.

These people recently completed a gruelling 2 600 kilometre motorcycle road trip from Gauteng through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Free State and then back to Gauteng. The trip was held to spread messages of hope and generate cancer awareness.

Charmaine Rider, a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Klerksdorp (D9400) and a Cancer.vive supporter, said she was very fortunate to be part of the magnificent group of cancer survivors as they spread awareness.

Research has revealed a shocking lack of awareness about cancer, especially in rural communities. This prompted Cancer.vive to rethink how it packaged its message to meet the need for education and provide crucial cancer information to people with little access to medical services.

The trip took 10 days to complete, some of which involved travelling in rain and harsh conditions. The motorcyclists rode more than 400 kilometres a day, but memories of the hard travelling faded every time the riders were greeted by hundreds of smiling and cheering faces.

The bikers stopped at schools and villages to hold educational workshops. Audience members were invited to share their cancer stories and musicians helped create a lively and festive atmosphere.

Charmaine Rider gumboot dancing at a workshop held during the Cancer.vive trip.

Celebrate survival



while the handing over of equipment for early learners to the tjewondo Primary school was an occasion for celebration, the donation of soccer balls by a young Australian boy will be celebrated and remembered for much longer.

Recently, the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South (D9210) donated school furniture for the early childhood development class at Tjewondo Primary School.

The equipment was sourced by Collin Nyabadza, a Rotarian and former Tjewondo teacher, from the Rotary Club of Swift Current (D5360, Canada).

In addition, four boxes of library books, donated by the Rotary Club of Doncaster (D9810, Australia) and the Australian Books for Children

of Africa (ABCA), were given to the school during the ceremony.

Probably, the most memorable gift of all was a box of 15 soccer balls donated by Mac Miller, a young philanthropist who loves playing soccer and raises funds to provide balls for children throughout the world. Mac’s mum and the Rotary Club of Carindale (D9630, Australia) raised AUS$300 to buy soccer balls for the Tjewondo, Lingwe and Marinoha Primary Schools.

Tjewondo School came alive when Past President and Chairperson of the Foundation Committee of the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South (D9210), Sandy Whitehead, challenged the school boys to kick the ball for a photo. The smiling faces said it all as the boys displayed their

Balls and a lot moreBy Busani Bafana

marcella Gaioto, a Rotary exchange Student from Brazil, with the children at Tjewondo Primary School.

pro

jec

ts


Your legacy will be written on lives - please consider the Salvation Army

www.salvationarmy.org.za

footwork and kicked up dust as they tackled for the ball.

Ephraim Nsimbi, a teacher at Marinoha Primary School, one of the recipients, was grateful for the donation and said that the girls’ soccer team now had its own ball. Until then, the boys’ and girls’ teams had to share a ball that was bought a couple of years ago and was constantly being mended.

Commending the clubs for the donation, principal Rachel Mahlangu said the books were a welcome relief as the school’s library was stocked with old and termite-damaged books, which more than 600 children were unable to use. She also said the school, which was opened in 1923, needs to be electrified and needs more classroom blocks to accommodate the growing number of children.

Bulawayo South President, Alvord Mabena said education that is a “gift for life” and schools should be equipped with necessary books and equipment to facilitate learning and teaching.

President Alvord explained that the donation is an example of how his club “helps change lives.”

Teams from three primary schools in Kezi with the items they received.

Tjewondo Primary School principal, Rachel mahlangu (centre), receiving books and balls from President alvord mabena (right) and PP Dingi Dhlamini (left). Below: The children show off their ball skills.


excitement was in the air when Mr south Africa finalist, Armand du Plessis, visited the community vegetable garden at emthonjeni Community Centre in the Zandspruit informal settlement, northwest of Johannesburg.

To the delight of the local residents, Armand arrived with a generous donation of vegetable and herb seedlings.

Ansie Hibberd from the Rotary Club of Northcliff (D9400) was most grateful that Armand made time to visit the garden. “We partnered with Emthonjeni, The Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Club of Seven Oaks (D1120, United Kingdom) earlier this year to start this much-

needed food garden.“With the help of 20 unemployed women from

Zandspruit a patch of weeds was turned into a sustainable project to put food on their tables and earn some income for the community centre,” she said.

A severe thunderstorm damaged the garden and thanks to Armand du Plessis’ gift, it will soon recover. Armand, a resident of Ruimsig and post-graduate law student, was touched by the warm welcome he received from the community and believes that as a future lawyer he will be able to play a role in improving the quality of life of all South Africans.

armand du Plessis and ansie Hibberd with residents of Zandspruit.

a special visit


the Rotary Club of newcastle Majuba (d9370) hosted its annual betterball golf competition at the newcastle golf course. the day, which promised loads of fun, excitement and fantastic prizes, exceeded all expectations.

Registration ran smoothly and efficiently, thanks to the diligence of club members. Golfers were spoilt with some excellent sushi and shooters, prepared and served by John Dory’s.

The 126 golfers moved swiftly across the pristine course, showcasing their talents and playing some sensational golf.

A novelty ‘marshmallow’ chip created much excitement for pleasure seekers and raised an astonishing R3 475. Golfers had a blast on the course and later returned to the clubhouse to savour a dinner of fine eastern fare.

The club house was filled to capacity and those who had supported the event had an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with one another and establish new friendships.

Sponsors outdid themselves and the prize table was loaded with some extravagant items. However, it was the winning two-ball of Dr Bully Chetty and Roy Harry which walked away with the grand prize of a weekday stay for themselves and their partners at Champagne Sports Resort.

The community services committee, led by Pradeep Singh, was proud to announce that the golf day raised a record-breaking R103 916.

BEST BETTERBALL

main picture: Golfers prepare to tee off at the golf day. Pradeep Singh, head of the community services committee and co-ordinator of the event, enjoys a quiet moment. PDG Gordon Dowsett examines the prizes.


After the planned International Golfing Fellow-ship of Rotarians southern Africa tournament in Knysna was cancelled, owing to a lack of support, the Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350) enthusiastically agreed to event organiser PP sesel hartshorne-Möller’s suggestion that the club host the tournament under its own management.

Fifty-two Rotarian golfers from Austria, England, France, Finland, French Guiana, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, South Africa and Switzerland had entered and the official opening took place at Simola Golf and Country Estate.

Emil Moller was the master of ceremonies and, since he is fluent in three languages, he easily made all guests feel welcome. The Percy Mdala High School Choir arrived with its choir master and carried flags from the countries represented by the golfers.

These were placed along the wall for the duration of the evening and the choir sang the South African national anthem and other beautifully harmonised African songs.

Simola’s award-winning executive chef Delia Clarke prepared exquisite South African snacks and while guests enjoyed some of South Africa’s best wines from the Elgin Valley Estates, the golf draws were announced.

Another great evening was the Friday when the guests enjoyed a casual sunset concert and dinner on the Simola lawns. Guests included a large contingent of parents and staff from Knysna

Primary School. The Knysna Pipe Band joined in with varied

musical items and the highlight of the evening was a presentation of many different instruments to the Knysna Music Academy that were brought to Knysna in the international golfers’ luggage. Several of the guests readily donated cash to enable the music academy to buy more instruments. A total of R67 000 was donated and the value of the instruments exceeded R100 000.

Knysna Primary School principal, Rob Stoker and music academy head, Laticha Van Wageningen, were overwhelmed by the generosity of the golfers and their enthusiasm for this new project. At the end of the performance, President John Satchel of the Rotary Club of Knysna announced that a set of marimbas would also be donated.

The event came to a close on Saturday with a dinner at Simola. The attendees were provided with striking Madiba shirts and prizes were awarded for the day’s golf and the cumulative scores were announced.

A highlight was the presentation by President John Satchel of a Sapphire Pin to Sesel Hartshorne-Möller in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to and successful development of the annual Rotary Knysna Charity Golf event.

The international golfers formally invited the Rotary Club of Knysna to host another international event in 2016 and pledged their support for future events.

Golf festival goes ahead


A partnership between African explosives and Chemical industries (AeCi), the wildlife and environment society of south Africa (wessA) and the Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti (d9370) resulted in a R2 million sponsorship for environmental education centred around the Umbogavango Nature Reserve at Amanzimtoti for the period 2014/16.

The reserve lies within the Umbogintwini industrial complex, a multi-user site catering predominantly for large industries in the chemical manufacturing sector as well as a number of producers of human and animal food products.

PDG Chris Skinner, current president of the Amanzimtoti club and the instigator behind this project, said this was the culmination of more than five years’ work. “PP Stan Craven and I visited the companies on site for funding to run the educational programme at the resource centre. At first we hosted some 10 to 20 school parties from rural schools in the Amanzimtoti area. Today there are more than 60 school parties visiting the centre, representing more than 2 000 primary school children.”

Links have been formed with the Department of Nature Conservation at Mangosuthu University of Technology and an intern was employed to arrange school visits, teach the children and explore the nature reserve.

Many of the schools involved with this programme are also involved in a school beautification project which comprises representatives from Rotary, WESSA, the Department of Health, Durban Solid Waste, eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs. The schools participate competitively in a programme to raise environmental awareness which include initiatives such as food gardens and recycling efforts.

“The climax of all these endeavours has been the support from AECI for the international eco-school programme. Some ten local schools will be identified and invited to join the programme which is aimed at creating awareness and action around environmental sustainability in schools and their surrounding communities,” said PDG Chris.

Children from Kwathabo Primary School visit umbogovango Nature Reserve as part of the eco-school programme.

eco education


the annual fnB wines2whales (w2w) mountain-bike series provided the Rotary Club of Helderberg Sunrise with a significant fundraising opportunity.

Three W2W mountain bike events are held in the space of 11 days - the adventure, the ride and the race - with each one lasting three days. The route for each event is from Lourensford Wine Estate to Oak Valley Wine Estate, then on to Onrus.

Cyclists needed their cars at the first overnight stop at Oak Valley and at the end of the event at Onrus. For a fee, the Helderberg Sunrise Rotarians transferred the vehicles.

Last year approximately 600 vehicles were transferred. Rotarians also helped with driving vehicles, registration, handing out and collecting

vehicle keys and shuttling Rotary drivers to and fro. Each driver does about three trips.

The project is a major fundraiser for the club and it provides wonderful fellowship and camaraderie for the members. A net unencumbered amount of approximately R180 000 was raised last year.

Approximately 45 Rotarians are involved and are matched by as many as 45 friends. An added bonus for the Rotarians was the chance to drive some exotic vehicles ranging from Porsches to BMWs and Mercedes Benzes.

Organisations which have benefited from funds raised at this event over the years,

include The Rotary Foundation, Brak en Jan Crèche, the club’s Khomani San project and the HOPE organisation.

- Gavin Staude

Petro Taljard driving a participant’s car to oak Valley.

thanks to the Rotary satellite Club of st francis (d9370) 36-year-old Vusumzi sokhaya and his family received a gift to help prolong Vusumzi’s life.

The club paid R8 100 for a wendy house to be installed at the humble home in Humansdorp. Vusumzi had developed kidney failure and required dialysis to prolong his life.

Dr Robert Freercks asked the club to help sponsor the wendy house as Vusumzi needed secure storage space for his dialysis fluids and a sanitary environment in which to perform his own peritoneal dialysis. The Rotarians quickly found a suitable supplier and arranged for Stable Wendy’s in Port Elizabeth to supply, deliver and erect the wendy house. Some creative schedule shuffling allowed the company to complete this before the Christmas shut down and it waived its out-of-town delivery surcharge.

Vusumzi, who is married to Asive and has a four-month-old son, is currently unemployed. His medical condition has meant that he can’t

wine, whales and wheels

The Sokhaya family, Vusumzi, his wife asive and their son joshua proudly show St Francis Chairman ann Knight the newly installed wendy house which will provide Vusumzi with a suitable environment for his life-prolonging dialysis treatment.continue to earn his living as a fisherman, but he is determined to find another career path as soon as he receives a donor kidney and his health has stabilised.

“I am so thankful to the St Francis Rotarians for assisting me,” said Vusumzi. “My wife is going to be tested as a possible donor and our future is filled with promise.”

According to Dr Freercks, this form of treatment can last as long as eight years and the idea is that the patient should receive a transplant within that period.

Helping keep Vusumzi healthy


destitute leaners from six Grassy Park and lotus River schools were given an opportunity to continue their schooling thanks to the generous bursary support from the norwegian liaison Committee (nlC) of the Rotary Club of wynberg (d9350).

The annual bursary evening is the highlight of the calendar year for the NLC and the Rotary Club of Wynberg. Educators from the six schools, provincial representatives, parents, learners as well as two teachers and four learners from Haugaland School in Norway, attended and celebrated the occasion.

Wynberg President Jackie James said, “We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful initiative.

This year the NLC handed out

Don’t Get CauGht naPPinG!Promote your business, club or district

activities in RotaRY aFRiCa

Contact Rotary africa at [email protected] or call 031 267 1848

• Reach out to all our readers in English-speaking Africa

• Advertise in ROTARY AFRICA• distribute leaflets, brochures and

newsletters with ROTARY AFRICA• special rates for Rotary clubs, districts

and Rotarian owned/managed business

certificates representing a record R455 000.”Are Hovstad, chairman of the NLC added,

“The learners and parents do not receive the money in cash. Instead it is released to them on receipt of an invoice and can only be used for school clothing and essential school equipment, such as books. The recipients are selected by the schools and criteria included need and their academic performance in previous years.”

The NLC project is funded by two schools in Norway, Oddemarka Lower Secondary and Haugaland Secondary. Each year, the learners take a day off school and collect money for these six schools. The money raised is used for computer centres, books for libraries, laptops (and training) and projectors to enhance the teaching experience and naturally, bursaries.

Bursaries for many

chri

stm

as

wra

p up


on any normal day there are thousands of children and adults who go without food, clothing, blankets and toys through no fault of their own. however, there are some very special people who give of their time and spare no expense in seeing that what they give assists those less fortunate than themselves.

Each year, Stephen Margo, a D9400 governor representative, organises both a blanket and toy drive. As many as 15 000 blankets and 1 200 toys are collected and distributed.

At the end of last year, the annual project changed a little. “We were introduced to RSS Security in Fourways which in turn introduced us to a number of their clients, one of which was Decofurn, a furniture store also based in Fourways,” explained Stephen.

“While busy with our toy drive we received a call from Cornell Mans, the regional manager for Gauteng, who stated that he was not able to donate toys but would gladly donate 65 blankets if we found a charity which could use them.”

In no time at all Stephen had contacted Chris Thomson, the youth officer of the Rotary Club of

Randburg (D9400), who contacted the Firlands Children’s Home which cares for 60 children. The home is one of many run by Major Eddie and Hazel de Vos of The Salvation Army and receives support from the club.

Brett Fisher, the CEO of RSS Security, said that he was happy to assist with the project in any way he could and encouraged a number of his clients to participate. “We are a community-based security company which cares about our community,” he said.

Cornell Mans said he gets a new perspective on life when seeing and meeting people, children in particular, who are struggling to survive. “Most children have the same basic needs. We have so much and they have so little. Every small gift given to them is highly appreciated. Christmas is a time of giving and we at Decofurn like to give back to the community in different ways.”

“We know that these children don’t ask for much and by giving each one a blanket, we know that they will keep warm.

“It is not much to give, but it comes from the heart,” concluded Mans.

Cornell mans (Decofurn Gauteng), wentzel le Roux (Decofurn Fourways), major eddie de Vos (Salvation army) and Christopher Thomson, the chairman of the Randburg club’s youth committee, admire the blankets.

bountiful blankets

Don’t Get CauGht naPPinG!


More than 900 people - orphans, single mothers, elderly people and needy people - received Christmas gifts thanks to the Rotary Club of edenvale’s (d9400) tree of Joy project.

The gift collection project was held in the forecourt of Greenstone Shopping Mall. Rotarians handed out wish cards and collected the gifts that shoppers had purchased for the people whose names were written in the cards.

“We were once again astounded by the wonderful generosity of the shoppers,” said Lesley Crowe of the Rotary Club of Edenvale. “We set a goal of 900 gifts for our Tree of Joy project. We wondered whether we would make it considering that economic conditions were not great.

“Despite our reservations, the shoppers did us proud and there were many happy faces at charity organisations around Edenvale this Christmas. We also received many donations which we used to buy Christmas gifts for people at charities which were not on our original list.”

The Edenvale club started the Tree of Joy project last year. It was so successful that it was decided to run it again. Due to the size of this project, the Rotary Clubs of Knights Pendragon, Johannesburg East and Boksburg Lake, as well as the Boksburg Lake Anns’ Club and the Bedfordview Inner Wheel Club were asked to lend a hand.

Each club obtained lists of the wishes from the people in the organisations they support. These were copied on to wish cards, some of which were hung on the Tree of Joy. The generous shoppers selected wish cards and purchased the gifts written on them. All the gifts were wrapped and distributed to the charities on Christmas Eve.

The Edenvale club also ran two of the gift wrapping kiosks offered by the Greenstone Shopping Centre. Again, shoppers were generous when donating to have their presents wrapped.

The money raised will be used for projects in the Edenvale area.

Thanks to a generous donation of R55 000 from Diesel–electric (Vaal, Free State and Springs), maCSauto, maCScool, Ruwag and Kiloton, as well as a further donation of R14 000 from the Rotary Club of Vereeniging (D9400), 300 food hampers were distributed to needy families during the festive season. euro Spar in Three Rivers packed 298 hampers and sponsored two additional hampers to make it an even 300. Local Rotary clubs organised the distribution and selected the recipients. The Rotary Club of Vereeniging chose to distribute its 250 hampers to the Rainbow Care Feeding Scheme at St Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Leeuhof, Lochvaal emfuleni welsyn Sentrum and the meyerton methodist Church, while the Rotary Club of Three Rivers delivered its 50 hampers to the Vereeniging Central methodist Church Feeding Scheme. Last year the Rotary Club of Vereeniging received a similar donation from these companies which decided to help the needy instead of spoiling their customers with the usual year end gifts.

Somerset Valley estate surprised the Rotary Club of Durban North (D9370) when it presented PDG ant Connolly with two boxes of toys all beautifully wrapped. The gifts were given to the children of The Bundle of joy crèche.

Hundreds of happy smiles


Carols by Candlelight, organised by the Rotary Club of Harare (D9210) and sponsored by Ximex, returned to arundel Village after a brief move to Prince edward School. It was attended by 200 children from five orphanages, Rotarians and members of the public. There were nearly 500 people present who were entertained by arundel School Choir and the Zimbabwe air Force Band. Father Christmas paid a special visit and was almost trampled, and had to flee to higher ground, when 200 highly excited children raced to greet him.

anns from the Rotary Club of Kloof (D9370) distributed 1 700 toys collected by the east Coast Radio Toy Story campaign. among the happy recipients were those assisted by the 1000 Hills Community Helpers.

after seeing a young orphaned school girl on a rainy day, martin oosthuizen and his wife Louise realised how many youngsters have to cope without their parents and formed orphan Care Foundation. Six years later, the successful non-profit organisation has grown and helps more than 300 children a week. at the annual orphan Care Foundation Christmas party, nearly 300 children got an opportunity to share in the festive joy. For many, this was the first time they ever received a gift of their own. The Rotary Club of Newlands (D9350) sponsored the food and soft drinks for the third consecutive year and the children were entertained by local hip hop artists and gymnasts. Photo: Kate Senekal/Storybook Photography


The Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg (D9370) treated the 120 residents of NCVV Home to a seniors’ Christmas party. Singer and musician Claude Charles provided entertainment and soon had many people dancing. Rotarians Carol Holby, Desiree Golding and Trudy Stegen were ably assisted by a number of additional volunteers and every resident received handmade Christmas cards and slabs of chocolate. at the party are johan van der walt, wendy Griffiths, Trudy Stegen and Lorraine Fynn. Photo: jason Londt.

The Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park (D9370) thrilled the children of Igugu Labantu Nsimbini when it held a Christmas party for them. all 200 children received gifts and treats.

The Rotary Club of orange Grove’s (D9400) anns’ club donated 100 tins of Danish butter biscuits to meals on wheels. The biscuits were bought from the proceeds of the anns’ bridge drive. maria Grazia and Donny and Helen Divaris helped the meals on wheels driver load the donation so that it could be distributed in time for Christmas.


you

th

to create awareness about polio eradication, the Rotaract Club of Rose-Belle (d9220) supported a four kilometre fun run which was organised by the Global shapers Port louis hub and Global dignity Mauritius.

Past President Ritesh Gujadhur participated in the event with the theme ‘run to end polio’ and finished fourth. The club supported his goal to generate awareness and raise funds for PolioPlus.

The Rotaractors set a fundraising target of US$444, which would be tripled by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation once transferred. To achieve this, the club approached other Rotaract and Rotary clubs on the island for sponsorship.

After completing his run, PP Ritesh said he did not “participate to win a medal, but I ran to end polio.” He added that his run was dedicated to allow people to “get better acquainted with our mission of eradicating polio and the marvellous work Rotarians do.”

the Rotary Club of Grahamstown (d9370) has long encouraged new generations through its association with the interact Club of Kingswood High School and the Rotaract Club of Rhodes University.

Rhodes has 7 000 students and at one stage there were as many as 600 Rotaract members. Since then, numbers have declined, but the incoming committee has pledged to grow the club and expand its community engagement efforts.

The outgoing committee was mainly involved in a year-long project called The Next Step. This involved visiting high schools in Grahamstown’s

rural areas and bridging the gaps in knowledge between high school education and tertiary education. The Rotaractors also printed and distributed university application forms and coached learners in what constitutes a successful application.

For the younger disadvantaged children, a teddy bear picnic was organised and the club, with the help of its sponsor Rotary club, gave a teddy bear to each child.

The club also engaged in various mentoring programmes and its members served as peer educators during AIDS awareness week.

run for polio

Great things ahead


The District 9350 held a youth Service awards day in Cape Town and Interactors from Knysna won three awards. The first went to Ineke Small of Knysna High School who won the award for the best Interact teacher. Knysna High won the award for the best collaborative project and the Rotary Club of Knysna, with seven Interact clubs, was given the best Interact Involvement award. with the Rotary Club of Knysna President john Satchel (third from left) are Dylan Stander, Karlien Bruwer, President Brittany Chalmers, Victor Dercksen and Ineke Small.

The Rotary Club of Rosebank (D9400) held its 30th annual senior youth leadership course for 62 Grade 11 learners at magalies Retreat in magaliesburg. Learners from schools in and around johannesburg participated in the course which aimed to teach them leadership skills. The course was run by Tyron Sharnock who has been the course instructor for the past five years.

The Rotaract Club of uNISwa mbabane Campus (D9400), sponsored by the Rotary Club of mbabane mbuluzi, has changed the lives of 17 Swazi orphans at an orphanage in mpolonjeni. The Rotaractors, with assistance from mbabane mbuluzi Rotarians, purchased two 5 000 litre water tanks, a stove, gutters and piping to help the orphanage harvest rain water. They also created a garden and planted 100 spinach, 100 cabbage, 50 onion and 50 lettuce seedlings. The oldest resident of that orphanage is 23 and the youngest is three years old. The orphanage is mainly funded by a local church, Bride of Christ ministries. Rotaractors Phumlani Dlamini, Nelile Dlamini, andrew mugoye, Rudolph Dlamini with some of the orphans at the hand over.


Two of the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset’s (D9370) Interact clubs, the Interact Clubs of mary waters and Nombulelo High Schools, were the makana Community Category winners in the Rhodes university environmental awards. The awards recognised their ongoing removal of invasive alien plants on the Grahamstown commonage. The Interactors have spent many long hours ‘hacking’ and returning the surrounding commonage back to its indigenous state. at the ceremony are Interactors Philisiwe Qwakeni (left) and Thabang Stoffel (centre) from Nombulelo High School and Nomathamsanqa Zono (far right) from mary waters High School. with them are mentors from the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset janet Brown (second from left), este Coetzee (second from right) and Don Hendry (back).

The Rotary Club of Hilton and Howick (D9370) sponsored seven outbound Short Term exchange Students. Shortly before leaving for their exchange, some of the students, Christina Rencken (Germany), Bronte macDonald (Italy), Grace Crooks (Germany) and elliot macDonald (France), attended a club meeting and told the Rotarians where they are going and what their expectations were.

The Interact Club of eden College (D9370) gave R20 000 to the South african Guide Dog association. Half of the money will be used to train a new dog and the remainder will buy two new puppies. at the presentation the Interactors and members of the Rotary Club of Durban had an opportunity to meet two guide dogs.


well-known wine connoisseur Clare wright was the speaker at the Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea (D9370) wine tasting evening which was attended by over 100 guests. Claire’s interest in the wine industry started in 1992 when she was the eastern Cape wine sales representative. using her vast knowledge of the wines she introduced, she gave a run-down on the wines, tips on storing, corking versus screw-top bottles and other general information. The guests were able to order wines directly from the producers at very reasonable prices. Kieren Bremner and mark Crandon, owners of The Bakery, provided fresh breads and cheese for the evening and Rotarians made pâtés and fruit platters.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Paarl (D9350), a chef at a well-known restaurant in Franschhoek is teaching needy women the basics of cooking. Chef antro Davel (above) travels to Paarl every monday (her day off) to demonstrate the preparation of healthy affordable meals to the women at enza, an empowerment organisation in Paarl. enza is partly sponsored by the Icelandic government which provides women with training and skills to start their own enterprises.

The Rotary Club of Chatsworth (D9370) hosted a successful unite against Hunger campaign at the entrance of Shoprite Checkers at Chatsworth Centre. Shoppers were asked to donate non-perishable food for needy people. The donations were packed into hampers and distributed by the club.

The Rotary Club of Port Shepstone (D9370) and the elvira Venter Dance Studio recently staged the show, Born in the RSa. every second year, elvira, who is a Rotary ann, produces a show and includes any willing Rotarians. Funds raised by the show are donated to the club. The most recent show raised more than R17 000 for the club.


Champ marketing hosted a motor and outdoor festival at the Newcastle Showgrounds. The Rotary Club of Newcastle majuba (D9370) was given a free stall and sold pancakes and cool drinks. a team of committed members, which included Lizzy Couper and Talitha Zanone, flipped, rolled, packed and sold nearly 600 pancakes. Sue Couper`s flop-proof recipe proved to be a real winner and the aroma of hot pancakes and cinnamon sugar proved difficult to resist. The five hours of intensive labour yielded a profit of R3 108.

For the last 11 years, the Rotary Club of De aar (D9370) has run a trolley project at a local supermarket. on a Saturday morning, club members are joined by personnel and board members from op die Kruin Home for the aged to man a donation trolley and ask shoppers to donate non-perishable products for the home. This year they collected five trolleys of groceries. money from the collection tins funded a Christmas lunch for the residents of the home. Lettie Steenkamp, Claudine Louw and President Rina edwards with the trolley.

winterveldt is the Rotary Club of Pretoria east’s (D9400) second longest running and third largest project. Seven years ago, when the club first became involved with Winterveldt, it had been operating for seven years and had three staff members and 11 caregivers. Today it has four staff members and 51 caregivers. Initially, the office building was a mud plastered structure but that has changed. Today Winterveldt operates from a brick office, has a store, two containers that have been converted into another office and a kitchen, a brick toilet block, an iron shed that is used as a staff room and a small office which is used for HIV testing. It also has a security fence and an alarm system. The centre serves a community which has a 72 percent unemployment rate. The club’s ongoing involvement with the centre helped it grow to what it is today. Some of the Rotarians who have been involved with the project are Clive Perkins (financial, administration and odd jobs), mayda de winter (provision of food parcels), aiden Robertson (problem solver and crisis manager) and Bernard de winter (food parcels).

ro

un

d u

p


For 16 years the Rotary Club of Grahamstown (D9370) has used approximately R11 million, raised through matching Grants, to better its community. Twenty percent of the funds raised was generated as a result of the club’s ten year association with the Rotary Club of Port moody (D5050, Canada). over the years, the Port moody club has visited Grahamstown four times and one Rotarian, Cleone Todgham, keeps returning to Grahamstown as a volunteer. Her latest visit aimed to promote Days for Girls, a project that endorses a reusable sanitary solution. To celebrate the clubs’ long association, a party was held during Cleone’s latest visit. Rotarians who were involved over the years as well as many beneficiaries were invited to attend a ‘bring and share’ dinner party hosted by Bill and Kit mills at their home.

Children from the Lily of the Valley and makaphutu Children’s Homes received new underwear from the Rotary anns of Kloof (D9370). with some of the happy recipients are anns Ingrid edelson and margie matthew.

It was a happy day full of laughter and fun as the Rotary Club of Dundee (D9370) hosted its annual Golden oldies day at the Hattingspruit Dam. The club treated the golden oldies to a fun filled morning with plenty to eat and drink. For the little more energetic, there was music and dancing. a good number of bingo games were played and there were lucky dip prizes for the bingo players. The Soul Buddyz from Dundee junior School acted as waiters and entertained everyone with song.


Funds raised at the Rotary Club of Flamingo-welkom (D9370) Chance to Dance competition were divided between three beneficiaries. Marelize Joubert (agape Nasorg Sentrum), Christa maree (engo Child and youth Care Centre) and Cathy Pretorius and Silvia Xaba (Charlotte moll Haven) were thrilled to receive the donations on behalf of their organisations.

The Rotary Club of mityana (D9211), in partnership with the Rotary Club of whitley Bay (D1030, england) and mityana Community Development Foundation, sponsored three new classrooms at the Kigogozi Community Based Primary School after the original classrooms were destroyed by termites. The whitley Bay club also provided additional funding for new furniture and the refurbishment of the existing classrooms. mityana President Semwanga Godfrey attended the opening of the classrooms.

The Rotary Club of empangeni (D9370) has chartered a new satellite club in mtunzini. To start the satellite club a membership of at least eight was required and the eager new Rotarians were inducted by Past Rotary District Governor Richard Brooks. Penny Bunting, whose husband mike is a long-standing member of the empangeni club, was elected as chairperson. It’s anticipated that within a few years, it may become a fully-fledged and independent Rotary club. Its club emblem and gong were crafted by errol Sclanders. errol was once a member of the empangeni club and will bring his Rotary experience to the satellite club. President Christo van Heerden (empangeni) with Penny Bunting and errol Sclanders.

President mark Parodi of the Rotary Club of Flamingo-welkom (D9370) presented marli young of Hospice with a donation for her organisation. The donation was raised at the club’s annual golf day.


anns from the Rotary Club of Kloof (D9370), Sandy Sims and Ingrid edelson, visited Gillits Primary School to give SuBZ pants and pad packs valued at R9 000 to 45 girls. Sue Barnes, founder of these reusable items, also attended and gave an educational talk to the learners.

as you get older, your birthday expectations decrease. Thus it was a wonderful surprise when Rotarian Dr Ian Huskisson arrived at Dorothy Collard’s home on her 86th birthday and presented her with a new wheelchair from the Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350) and the wheelchair Foundation. Dorothy is being cared for by her sister Nellie van Huysteen, but this task had become increasingly difficult due to her lack of mobility. However, things have improved considerably since Dorothy received the wheelchair and both sisters are very grateful for the gift.


The Rotary Club of Queensburgh (D9370) hosted its second annual cancer fundraising breakfast at Coastlands on the Ridge in musgrave. The inspirational, educational and uplifting morning event was a sell out with more than 90 people in attendance. This year, the guest speakers included Dr jayenthrie Venketramen, Glenda Slade of iConverse and jayne Hewison of earthbeat. everyone was spoilt with wonderful food, goodie bags and the top prize was the use of an audi a3 Cabriolet for a weekend, sponsored by jacque Schutte of audi Central Durban. The last two breakfasts have seen the club raise more than R30 000 for the Cancer Research Institute. The institute is the world’s only non-profit organisation dedicated exclusively to harnessing the immune system’s power to conquer all cancers. President Brenda mcDermott with the winner of the audi a3 for a weekend prize, Fatima amod.

Three theatre instruments were donated to the uitenhage Provincial hospital by the Rotary Club of uitenhage South’s (D9370) anns. The donation included Hoskins forceps, a nucleus manipulator and utility scissors. The hospital’s eye clinic treats a large number of patients, many of whom have cataracts. as a result, approximately between 40 and 50 people are operated on each month. at the hand over are ann President Irene Fish, Dr olivia Read and anita Naidoo.

The Rotary Club of Pretoria east (D9400) is doing its bit to spread awareness of the importance of maintaining the focus on polio eradication. The club mounted a special awareness campaign and vaccination drive at the Stanza Bopape Clinic in mamelodi east, Tshwane district. The clinic staff were issued with end Polio Now lapel badges, promotional posters and more than 120 patients were vaccinated on the day. Rotarians Clive Perkins, Connie Swart and aiden Robertson gave each visitor to the centre an information leaflet alerting them to the need to be vaccinated. The Stanza Bopape Clinic was chosen for the campaign as it serves the rapidly expanding informal settlements in the surrounding areas which rely on the clinic.


The very popular annual Vereeniging to Durban Cycle Tour, held by the Rotary Club of Vereeniging (D9400), saw 20 cyclists hit the road to raise funds for various community projects. Now in its 16th year, the format of the tour remains the same. The first night was spent in Reitz, the second at the Little Switzerland Resort and the third night was spent at willow Grange Hotel near estcourt. as day four drew to a close, the group relaxed in Pietermaritzburg where it was hosted by local Rotarians. The fifth and final day saw the cyclists arrive in Durban where they ended their tour at the moses mabida soccer stadium. after group photos, the group took a short ride to the Berea soccer stadium for a bunny chow lunch.

Crazy carnival fun crackled through town as the Rotary Club of uitenhage (D9370) hosted its annual Uitenhage Street Carnival. The event has been a fixture in the historic town for the last 27 years and attracts thousands of visitors annually.


District Governor annie Steijn (D9400) visited one of the Rotary Clubs of Vanderbijlpark and Riverside’s many combined projects, a garden at Tsolo High School. There she unveiled a sign recognising the clubs’ sponsorship of a new fence. This garden project is run by Busi Ramagaga and her team of volunteers. Vegetables grown in the garden are sold to the community and donated to the school’s feeding scheme. Busi plans to extend her award-winning project by providing selected vegetables to local restaurateurs. at the garden are Rosemary anderson, Busi Ramagaga, President Petro Bester (Vanderbijlpark), DG annie Steijn and PP johan van Pletzen (Riverside).

a Friendship exchange group from Turkey visited D9370. The team was led by yasar Kaya and visited the Hibiscus Coast. with yasar is PDG Rob Gilligan (D9370).

The Rotary Club of Port alfred (D9370) sponsored an electronic notice board that has place of pride at the tourism office. It is an effective way to advertise Rotary and tourism events. To celebrate the 125th birthday of Ndlambe/Port alfred the club built and donated a gazebo for the community. This project was managed by the youth Services director, mike millard, who was assisted by the club’s Interactors and earlyactors.


During his visit to the Rotary Club of Beacon Bay (D9370), DG andrew jaeger visited Lathitha Development Centre in mzamomhle township, near east London. He was accompanied by Beacon Bay’s President angela woodhall and met Lathitha Director Thembi Duma (centre). Lathitha trains unemployed youth in various skills. The centre is supported by the Rotary Club of Beacon Bay.

District Governor andrew jaeger (D9370) visited the Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea and viewed some of the club’s projects. one of the projects was the soup kitchen at ekuphumleni. with DG andrew are Rotarian mike wilmot and President Louis Hattingh.

The Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park (D9370) welcomed Harsh Vardhan Singh Negi, the Consul and Head of Chancery at the Consulate General of India (Durban), and his wife, usha, to its fundraising race day at Greyville Race Course in Durban. at the race day are usha Negi, Rotarian Kogie Naidoo, Harsh VS Negi, Past assistant Governor Gona Naidoo, Rotarian Sarita Sirohi and Narender yadav.


cel

ebr

ate

the Rotary Club of three Rivers (d9400) celebrated its 30th anniversary. People, projects and progress in the development of the community were the highlights of the celebration.

District Governor Annie Steijn joined the club for the celebration and before the event, visited a new garden project and assisted the beneficiaries and Rotarians in planting seedlings.

Another recent project saw soccer balls being presented to Boiketlong Christian Primary School. On World Diabetes Day, the club provided the people of Boiketlong with testing and counselling

services for HIV/AIDS, diabetes, TB and abnormal blood pressure.

Various organisations, as well as ward co-ordinators from Emfuleni Council and Sedibeng Health Department joined the partnership to reach 250 residents of the area.

At the end of November Rotarians and friends of Rotary Club of Three Rivers distributed 135 shoe-box Christmas gifts to children from two pre-schools in Sicelo. The children were delighted to welcome Father Christmas who travelled on a trailer through Sicelo to deliver gifts provided by friends and families from Vereeniging.

30 years of service

President Beth Thomas, PP mgezi mazibuko, DG annie Steijn, PP wolfgang Von ey and PP Shabe mofokeng cut the cake at the club’s charter anniversary celebration.

Doris Tabiri and elizna atkinson together with Rotarian Tom morajane and President Beth Thomas with senior staff from Boiketlong Christian Primary School who received the donation of soccer balls.

Father Christmas visits Sicelo to deliver Christmas presents to the children of the community.


The Rotary Club of Durban (D9370) completed its 90th year on 25 january. It held its charter anniversary celebration on 5 February at the Elangeni Hotel. The first club luncheon was held at the historic marine Hotel which was located on the corner of margaret mncadi avenue (esplanade) and Dorothy Nyembe (Gardiner) Street in Durban. Dick King’s statue was situated directly opposite the hotel in the gardens on the esplanade and was adopted as the club’s logo. Some of the past presidents of the Rotary Club of Durban, Ray Lalouette, Tony Bishop, George Nunkoo, Norman Hudson, Vijen Lalloo, john johnston-webber, Richard Cluver, mike Hiron (current president), Derek Hucklesby, maurice Dibb, john Ferguson, eddie maulson, Ruth maulson, Frank Vincent and Brian moore recently visited the statue of Dick King.

Share your club anniversary news

Email a story and pictures to [email protected]

90Th anniversary


rec

og

nis

ed

Public Protector thuli Madonsela received a Paul harris fellowship sapphire Pin from the Rotary Club of durban north (d9370) at a glittering ceremony at the durban international Convention Centre.

The Rotary Club of Durban North presented her with the pin in recognition of her “championing ethics and integrity”. After receiving her pin, Public Protector Madonsela reminded the audience that although her office is tasked with enforcing the Executive Ethics Code and public administration principles, it is not exempt from ethical compliance and scrutiny.

Public Protector Madonsela said her office’s job was to ensure that ethics and integrity are upheld throughout government while endeavouring to lead by example in its own affairs, particularly when dealing with investigations.

“We are often asked if we are not being used as pawns in political games,” she said. “Our answer is always simple: To us, it does not matter who lodges a complaint; what is important is whether there is anything to investigate at all.” Public Protector Madonsela said being independent and conducting investigations with impartiality was central to her office’s work.

In dealing with complaints she explained that the approach was always to ask what happened, what should have happened, whether there was a discrepancy between the two, if the discrepancy could be called maladministration and how the maladministration would be rectified.

Public Protector Madonsela humbly thanked the club for recognising her team’s modest efforts in fighting maladministration, malfeasance and corruption. She added that it was organisations such as Rotary International that should be praised for providing humanitarian services, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations and helping build goodwill and peace in the world.

“You also embrace inclusivity. You are open to all persons regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender or political preference,” Public Protector Madonsela said.

She added that South Africa needed more organisations such as Rotary clubs if the vision of an improved quality of life and a freed potential of each person was to be realised. In addition, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which includes silencing the guns in the continent by 2020, requires efforts, similar to those of Rotary International, to become a reality.

champion of ethicsPresident Dael Connolly and District Governor andrew jaeger congratulate public protector Thuli madonsela after she received her Sapphire Pin.


Has your club welcomed or honoured someone?

Send us their picture and name. Contact Sharon at [email protected]

Sue Waugh is a new member of the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset (D9370).

Nisha Singh is a new member of the Rotary Club of Queensburgh (D9370).

Dr Jayenthrie Venketramen is a new member of the Rotary Club of Queensburgh (D9370).

President Barry Evans of the Rotary Club of Bellville (D9350) was recognised for his 25 years in Rotary with 100 percent attendance.

District Governor Andrew Jaeger (D9370) presented merit award certificates to members of the Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea. With their certificates are Pippa Steele-Gray, President Louis Hattingh, Rotarian Simon Matthews (receiving the certificate on behalf of his wife Barbara), DG Andrew Jaeger, Sandi Peters and Mike Wilmot (receiving the certificate on behalf of his sister Jo).

welcomed and honoured

SCottbURGH

122 en-suite rooms. Overlooking beach. Airport transfers arranged. Daily and evening entertainment.

Special rates for seniors.tel: 039 978 3361 - fax: 039 976 0971

email: [email protected] - www.bluemarlin.co.za

NEWLY REFURBISHED



PDG Anneas Balt (2013/14) and PDG Martin Forsyth-Thompson (2012/13) of D9400 jointly motivated for and then presented PDG Mark Doyle (D9250-1996/97) with one of the 128 Service Above Self Awards awarded by the Board of Directors of Rotary International in 2013/14.

Dr Dan Moodley received a community service award from the Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg (D9370).

Roy Pillay is a new member of the Rotary Club of Umhlanga (D9370).

Debbie Leo-Smith is a new member of the Rotary Club of Umhlanga (D9370).

Edwin Maboya is a new member of the Rotary Club of Polokwane (D9400).



Michael Zipp is the president of the Rotary Club of Am Kap (D9350).

Bhekithemba Ndwandwe is the president of the Rotary Club of Mbabane Mbuluzi (D9400).

Angelique van der Willik is a new member of the Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark (D9400).

Rita Benecke is a new member of the Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark (D9400).

Arjun van der Willik is a new member of the Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark (D9400).

Suraya Holt is a new member of the Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark (D9400).

Elizabeth Bailey is a new member of the Rotary Club of Scottburgh (D9370).

Dot Purchase was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350).

The Rotary Club of Rosebank (D9400) presented vocational awards to Paul Fairall, David Parker, Roger Chadwick, Noelene Kotschan and Eileen Benn. With them is President John Symons (third from right.)


Email [email protected]

Get your free, up-to-date which Club meets Today

emailed to you

Ro

tA

RY

A

fR

iCA

C

lA

ss

ifie

ds

ACCoMModAtion offeRed *** B&B ACCOMMODATION in Kimberley Staying over in Kimberley, The Nook B&B *** Semi-Self Catering B&B offers excellent accommodation and rates. All rooms luxury en-suite with private entrance and secure parking. Close to CBD and places of interest. For more info contact Rtn Rob Gibson at 072 116 8390 Web: www.thenookbnb.co.za

KIMBERLEY’S GUM TREE Lodge offers budget accommodation (200 Beds) from R150-00 pp in backpackers to R400-00 pps or R500 dbl en-suite. Twin sharing accommodation R250 single or R400 dbl. Meals in adjacent Old Diggers (Licensed) Restaurant. Your host Jeannette. Tel: 053 832 8577, cell 076 371 0930, fax: 053 831 5409, E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gumtreelodge.com

PRETORIA. PARK GABLES Guesthouse***, conveniently situated, offers first class B&B accommodation in a warm, homely atmosphere, while respecting comfort and privacy. A sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of city life! Rooms en-suite. Secure parking. Near Gautrain Hatfield Station. Visit www.parkgables.co.za Call 012 344 0390 for reservations. Discount applies.

SIMON’S TOWN self catering flats. Two sleeper. Sunroom & magnificent views. Close to Cape Point, the penguins at Boulders and the golf course. A stone’s throw from the beach. Off street parking. R550 p/n. May to September: Pay for 6 and stay for 7 nights. Four sleeper. Fantastic views of Simon’s Town R650 per night. Contact: [email protected]. Tel: 021 786 3331. Cell: 074 915 7747.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION 2015Planning to study at any institution in Port Elizabeth in 2015? Book now! Rooms available in Summerstrand, Central, Cape Road and North End single or sharing rooms, fully furnished. Price ranges from R1 200 to R3 000pm. One month deposit required, neat and secure. Call: 082 743 6939. www.quickaccommodation.co.za fb:http:facebook.com/QuickAcc.pe or email [email protected]

MISCELLANEoUSCONSTANTIABERG FUNERAL Home: Sensitive, dignified and personal service by Alan Lindhorst

–all hours, anywhere within 200km of Cape Town. Very reasonable prices & premiums. Cnr Kenilworth & Rosmead Ave, Kenilworth. 021 671 2400 or 083 653 6536.

DISCLAIMER: All opinions published are not the opinion of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the opinions, information or advertisements in this publication. No responsibility is accepted for the quality of advertised goods or services or the accuracy of material submitted for reproduction. To the extent permitted by law, the publishers, their employees, agents and contractors exclude all liability to any person for any loss, damage, cost or expense

incurred as a result of material in this publication.

AfRiCA ContAineR sAlesDIVISION OF WESLEY CONTAINER SALES cc

stoRAGe : RefRiGeRAted : ConVeRsions Best PRICES AND qUALIty : 3m, 6m, 12m

25 YeARs eXPeRienCe

dennis wesleY: 083 733 6208email - [email protected]

GET IT NOW!

Promote your fundraisers!

Special rates for club projects!

Contact Sharon at [email protected] to advertise your club events


It’s a one-stop shop.

It eliminates paper.

It fosters continuity in leadership.

It enables clubs to track their progress.

It creates transparency.

It showcases the important work that Rotary clubs do worldwide.

ROTARY CLUB CENTRALPLAN TOGETHERTRACK PROGRESSACHIEVE GOALS

Get started!Go to www.rotary.org/clubcentral

rotary africa feb 2015

Government & Nonprofit