Rotary Africa Feb 2017

ROTARY AFRICAEstablished 1927 • A member of the Rotary World Magazine Press • February 2017

www.rotaryafrica.com


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February 2017 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 3

More than 15,000 companies match gifts to The Rotary Foundation. Find out if your employer does at www.rotary.org/matchinggifts and double the good you do to make the world a better place.

DOUBLE THE GOOD YOU DO!

TAKE ACTION: www.rotary.org/matchinggifts

February is Peace and Conflict Resolution/Prevention month

Upfront4 | From the editor5 | Message from the RI President6 | Foundation Chair’s message

Celebrate the Foundation centennial What you should know

7 | Convention8 | Don’t forget to have fun!9 | Foundation matters10 | World round up12 | We’re going to finish it14 | Motivated by the truth A family that unites16 | No time for boredom17 | Justice for all20 | Centennial river cruise Projects21 | All around Cape Town

22 | Rebuilding a school24 | Four projects to help orphans25 | Back to the draughting board27 | A flourishing partnership28 | Global Grant crafts hope29 | A spray in time can save lives30 | Summer surf time31 | Running total reaches R2.5m

Youth32 | Peace building33 | Club and district news

Report back34 | Our Christmas wrap up

Round up38 | Club and district news

in this issue...

4 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦February 2017

Editor Sarah van HeerdenAdministration Sharon Robertson

Chairman Gerald SieberhagenDirectors Greg Cryer Andy Gray Peter Hugo Anton Meerkotter Natty Moodley

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 THE TEAM From the editor

Sarah

GOOD LEADERSRecently, a journalist I once mentored asked me to read an article she was tasked to write for a job interview. The article examined the violence resulting from an unethical decision made by a political leader.

She included a quote which begged the readers to support an important programme – the training of youth to become good leaders and ethical politicians. The person said his countrymen are tired of leaders who refuse to act for the benefit of the nation and only consider their personal gain.

As I glance through today’s newspapers, it seems there are very few countries which one can honestly label as peaceful. It seems more and more people are questioning the integrity of their leaders. I have nothing against replacing a shoddy leader, but my question is this: Are there leaders with integrity, who are honest, who are fair and who understand the concept of Service Above Self? And where are these leaders?

I think the greatest problem is that there are not enough good leaders who are prepared to serve their communities and countries. And this is a problem which appears to be arising in many countries. Perhaps the root of the problem is insufficient leadership training.

In Africa and even in most more developed countries, I have noticed that many of the people don’t understand basic global and local economics. What frightens me are comments made by leaders who themselves don’t understand it.

I believe that this subject needs to be incorporated into our education systems; at school as well as in basic adult education. We need to reach as many people as possible and empower them to become good leaders who will serve their communities and not their bank accounts.

Why do I care about this?It is simple really. Content communities are peaceful

and one way to prevent conflict is to ensure good, strong and responsible leaders are in place. If people respect a leader, they will respect the decisions made from that office and trust that their interests are being looked after.

February is Peace and Conflict Resolution/Prevention month, as well as Rotary International’s birthday. Let us know how you celebrated or if you have a great peace project on the go, why not share it with us?



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mailto:rotaryafrica%40mweb.co.za?subject=


https://www.facebook.com/rotaryafricamag


JOHN F GERMPresident, Rotary International

Message from the

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ON THE WEBSpeeches and news from RI President John F Germ at www.rotary.org/office-president

DEAR FELLOW ROTARIANS,

On 23 February, we will mark 112 years since the founding of Rotary. It is incredible to think about how much has changed, in our world and in our organisation, since the first Rotary club met in Chicago with Paul Harris as its president.

Some things are easy to compare between now and 1905. There have been changes in technology, medicine and society. When we look at a map of the world in 1905 and a map of the world today, we can see what’s different. What we can’t do is compare what is with what might have been. There is no way to compare our world as it exists now with the world as it would have been without Rotary.

Rotary has risen to so many challenges in its 112 years. We’ve answered conflict with peace and poverty with education. We’ve responded to a lack of basic health care with projects large and small, from equipping clinics in tiny villages to eradicating polio across the globe.

We will never know how different the world would have been if Rotary had never been founded; if any one Rotary club had never been chartered or if any single Rotarian had declined the invitation to join a Rotary club.

But I will say, with absolute faith and complete confidence, that the world is a far, far better place now than it would have been without Rotary and that Rotary itself is stronger because of every one of you.

The world needs Rotary more than ever. It needs our courage, our optimism and our idealism. It needs the voice of tolerance, cooperation and hope that we can offer. It needs the example of an organisation that has proven that the citizens of all countries can work together successfully, gladly, and in friendship.

None of us ever knows the full impact of our actions. None of us knows the effects that will ripple out from the things we do and say, the decisions we make, the opportunities we seize and those we let pass. But I think we all know that when we choose to do good, good will follow; and that when we choose Service Above Self as our life’s path, the direction it will take us will be a good one.

No one can see the future. No one knows what changes lie ahead. But I have faith in Rotary, and in Rotarians, that with every passing year, you will make our world a better place through Rotary Serving Humanity.


Foundation Trustee Chair’s message

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

Join in and show your support for The Rotary Foundation. Here are some ways to get involved:• Plan a Rotary Day in your community to raise awareness of Rotary and its Foundation.• Promote projects your club or district is involved in that are funded by the Foundation. Share your photos

and stories on your social media pages using #TRF100.• Empower The Rotary Foundation to support the good

work of Rotary clubs by making a special contribution.• Apply for a grant from the Foundation to fund a project.• Attend the Rotary Convention in Atlanta, 10-14 June 2017.

CELEBRATE THE FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL

Kalyan BanerjeeFOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR

OUR LONG TERM COMMITMENT TO PEACEThis February, let’s celebrate the success of our Rotary Peace Centres and the important work that graduates of the programme are doing throughout the world to honour Peace and Conflict Prevention/ Resolution Month. I think it’s also important to note that the launch of the peace centres in 2002 built on many decades of peacebuilding efforts supported by our Foundation.

In the 1930s, clubs in France and Germany formed the first petit comité, now known as an intercountry committee. Both countries were still recovering from a devastating war, but the former adversaries knew that peace, however fragile, was worth keeping. Although a second world war dashed their hopes, these peace-minded Rotarians reconvened in 1950. Since then, Rotarians have formed 250 intercountry committees to promote international friendship and service.

Rotarians have long believed that international understanding develops most quickly through personal relationships. Before study abroad programmes and international business travel became commonplace, our Foundation sent scholars and young professionals to other countries to experience different ways of living

and doing business. For many participants, these life-changing adventures helped them view the world through the eyes of their hosts, who often became close friends.

Every year, our Foundation allocates millions of dollars for projects that attack the root causes of conflict – lack of access to education, health care, economic opportunity, clean water and adequate sanitation. Our global grants have a unique requirement that moves the needle on peace even further: To qualify, project sponsors must include clubs from at least two countries. In addition to combining local knowledge with international and Foundation resources, these projects build friendships that often lead to long-lasting service relationships between the sponsoring clubs.

Of course, one of the best places to form international friendships is at our annual convention, where Rotarians from dozens of countries come together. This year in Atlanta, we will celebrate The Rotary Foundation’s 100 years of Doing Good in the World. I hope you will join me and thousands of your fellow Rotarians for the biggest birthday party of the year!


Convention

ATLANTA ON THE GOIf you are flying to the 2017 Rotary International Convention, 10-14 June, you’ll almost certainly arrive at the world’s busiest passenger airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As locals sometimes joke, “Whether you go to heaven or hell, you’ll have to go through Hartsfield first.”

Hartsfield is Delta Airlines’ primary hub, but several other airlines – including United, American, Lufthansa and Korean – fly in and out of Atlanta’s airport every day.

Once you’re on the ground, getting around shouldn’t be a problem. Unless you plan on road-tripping around Georgia, renting a car isn’t necessary. Instead, buy a Breeze card and hop on MARTA, Atlanta’s rapid transit service, which can take you from the airport to Five Points Station in the heart of downtown. With a quick transfer, roll on to the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN stop, which is right by the Georgia World Congress Centre, the Rotary Convention’s home base.

You can journey to a number of the city’s sights by rail and where the train can’t take you, a MARTA bus likely will. Check MARTA’s website for schedules and route maps.

If you want to check out some historic attractions at a slower pace, the Atlanta Streetcar is another option. In a charming loop that starts near Centennial Olympic Park, the streetcar winds through downtown proper and into the city’s Old Fourth Ward neighbourhood.

– Deblina Chakraborty

Preregistration savings end 31 March. Go to riconvention.org.

Rotary Members: 1 227 217Clubs: 35 263

Rotaract Members: 226 389Clubs: 9 843

Interact Members: 483 230Clubs: 21 010

RCC Members: 210 500Corps: 9 154

AT A GLANCE

* As of 30 November 2016


by PDG Andrew Jaeger, Regional Rotary CoordinatorLOVE TRUMPS HATE

For centuries the great philosophers, theologians and statesmen of the world have dreamt of a world at peace. Great thinkers and leaders have talked about a world in which people live together in tolerance and harmony. Such a society would respect everyone and agree to differ, peacefully, on many aspects of life. Such a society would actually care about other people whether they were unwell, homeless, hungry, illiterate, disabled, helpless or stricken with some or other problem.

The amazing thing is that such an organisation has been created – we call it Rotary International. The members of Rotary International come in all sizes, shapes, races, creeds, colours, religions and lifestyles. They have been moulded into one organisation to serve others. That is the noble idea of Rotary. Is it possible that Rotary international is really a microcosm of that society of concern and caring which mankind has sought for generations?

For over a hundred years, Rotary has demonstrated that people can live and work, share and serve together. This is true even with all the differences of philosophy, religion, language, customs, skin colour and political orientation. Even with all the differences, it is possible to have an organisation committed to friendship, cooperation and volunteer service, which leads to peace.

I must admit that on occasion, even this highly ethical and idealistic organisation may occasionally fall short of its full potential. Notwithstanding these shortfalls, it has been proven over time that the world needs what Rotary says it is – an international organisation that reaches out into the world with a programme of peace, goodwill and hope.

I have given extensive thought to the role Rotarians play in our current economic and political turmoil, which has been interesting and turbulent over the last few months to say the least.

We have been bombarded with angry political rhetoric and even hate speech. Perhaps it is time to ask ourselves how we have done; are we true representatives of our organisation or have we been swept up in the turmoil and word war? Are we the voice of reason and peace in the current political debate or have we fuelled the fire? Have we tried to disarm heated debates or have we also lost our cool and forgotten our object of promoting peace in the world?

I have been astounded at the amount of animosity and even hatred between people and I am sad to say

even between Rotarians. I read a touching piece in the media that I think

applies to all people from all countries, who are debating contentious issues:

“Some of the most incredible people I know voted for Donald Trump and some of the most incredible people I know voted for Hilary Clinton. The people I know that voted for Trump are not racist, misogynistic or hateful and the people that voted for Clinton are not hateful and intolerable.

“If you are someone who woke up this morning and is going to start seeing people as who they voted for and not as the person you have always known them to be, then you are what is wrong with America. I will never think any less of any person who has different views than me, because some of the most beautiful, inspirational people I know will disagree with what I believe all day long, but at the end of the day they are still that beautiful inspirational person I have always known them as.

“Don’t think less of people because some of their beliefs don’t align with yours and don’t lose quality people in your life because you choose hate over love.”

Perhaps in these troubled times we need to take heed and remind ourselves of the Object of Rotary, which is to encourage and foster the ideals of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster the following:

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.

Although Rotarians should refrain from issuing partisan political statements, it is our duty to keep ourselves informed of political developments in our communities and throughout the world.

In these troubled times it is also our responsibility as Rotarians to be what we say we are and what we have the capacity to do. If we have a dream of world peace, now has never been a better time to make it happen!


PEACE AND CONFLICT

Foundation matters

By PDG Patrick ColemanRegional Rotary Foundation Coordinator Zone 20A South

Happy 112th birthday to Rotary International! When Paul, Gus, Silvester and Hiram met for lunch on a cold Thursday (23 February, 1905), there was no comprehension that they were founding an organisation that would not only bring business leaders together but would change the lives of millions of people from every corner of the earth!

The Rotary theme for February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution. In this world filled with “wars and rumours of wars” peace is something that many people only dream about. Defining peace is the first step in obtaining peace.

According to Johan Galtung, author of Peace by Peaceful Means: Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilisation and considered to be the “father of peace studies,” defines the distinction between “negative peace” and “positive peace.”

Negative Peace refers to the absence of violence. When, for example, a ceasefire is enacted, then a negative peace will ensue. It is negative because something undesirable stopped happening (e.g. the violence stopped, the oppression ended).

Positive peace is filled with positive content such as restoration of relationships, the creation of social systems that serve the needs of the whole population and the constructive resolution of conflict.

Peace does not mean the total absence of any conflict. It means the absence of violence in all forms and the unfolding of conflict in a constructive way.

Dr Martin Luther King reminded us that peace is not only the absence of tension, but also the presence of justice.

Peace therefore exists where people are interacting non-violently and are managing their conflict positively – with respectful attention to the legitimate needs and interest of all concerned.

Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have been able to Lead The Way in peace and conflict prevention and resolution for 70 years. In 1947, eighteen “Rotary Fellows” from eleven countries were selected to serve as ambassadors of goodwill while studying in another country for one academic year.

In years that followed, programmes such as the Group Study (now Vocational Training Teams), Friendship and the Youth Exchange programmes, have brought people together.

Promoting PeaceSource: rotary.org/en/our-causes/promoting-peace

• Conflict and violence displace millions of people each year. Half of those killed in conflict are children. 90 per cent are civilians.

• “We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.”

• “Through our service projects, peace fellowships and scholarships, our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education and unequal distribution of resources.”

• Rotary’s successes in training peacemakers and arbitrators are clearly demonstrated by where our peace scholars are currently serving. The above graphic shows that our scholars are serving in almost every aspect of international governance.

We have every reason to be proud of our success, but there is so much more to be done! Rotary programmes like Disaster Aid and ShelterBox are reaching out to people displaced by natural disasters and political strife. Brilliant young people are reaching out to Rotary clubs for sponsorship as peace scholars or graduate studies in our areas of focus. Many of our Rotary clubs are sponsoring Youth Exchange Students who are able to experience life and culture in countries other than their own. All of this enhances our efforts to bring peace and conflict prevention and resolution.

Thank you, Rotary… Thank you, Rotarians!

RESOLUTION/PREVENTION


El SalvadorIn 2013 the Rotary Club of San Salvador (D4240) distributed more than 550

wheelchairs provided by Canadian Rotarians. For the underprivileged recipients, the chairs bestowed a new life of mobility and the project was deemed a success. But Peter French, a member of the visiting team from the Rotary Club of Burlington (D7080, Canada), believed the local community could play a greater role. “From our first trip, I gained good insight into the equipment, space and talents of the rehab centre,” said French, a retired manufacturing executive. “This helped convince me that a wheelchair manufacturing initiative was worth a try.”

French spent about 18 months sketching, generating prototype parts and visiting MM Robinson High School in Burlington, where shop students crafted metal parts and used computer-aided design software to help make a new chair. French’s goal was to

“design a simple chair that can be made and maintained by small industries in developing countries.” Using about $1 500 from the Burlington club and a grant of $4 500 from District 7080 in Ontario, French’s team developed a wheelchair that whittled the number of parts to 30, from the 130 typical in an off-the-rack chair.

The host club Rotarians assembled most of the first batch of 10 kits of Canadian components before the Burlington Rotarians returned to El Salvador in April 2016. “We transferred the entire initiative to the Rotary Club of San Salvador,” French says. “An engineer in that club is modifying our drawings using his preferred system.”

HungaryPressure ulcers (bedsores) are almost entirely preventable, yet they can be fatal

if left unchecked. In Hungary, the problem has been exacerbated as health workers – key to changing the positions of immobile patients – are spread thin. Recognising the benefits of special mattresses that support body weight evenly to forestall pressure ulcers, the Rotary clubs of Miskolc-Tapolca and Szekszárd (D1911) joined the Rotary Club of Sun City West (D5490, (USA) in a Global Grant to expand their use in seven health centres in Hungary. “I had to sell it to my club and district. I mean, who wants to talk about bedsores?” said Jim Dowler, of the Rotary Club of Sun City West. Nearly 1 000 Hungarians have benefited from the project. “Isn’t that what Rotary’s about?” Dowler asked.

MauritiusThe Rotary Club of Vacoas (D9220), on the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius,

celebrated its silver jubilee with a burst of activity – six events in one week in May 2016. The ambitious schedule kicked off with a “mega health day” in which more than 600 people in the village of St Pierre received free health screenings and consultations. The following days included parties and community service activities. The festivities were coordinated to get the “population of the island to notice projects carried out by Rotary,” said Nishta Jooty, president-elect of the club. She added that at least 20 club members lent a hand at each event.

United StatesWith the closure of free temporary housing for the families of critically ill patients

hospitalised at a medical centre in Visalia, California. Rotarians sprang into action. In October, the Visalia Rotary Community Foundation opened the Rotary Respite House, a building with two units – one with three bedrooms and another with two bedrooms. Rotarians from the five clubs supporting the foundation - the Rotary Clubs of Visalia, Sunset, Breakfast, County Centre and Latino Rotary of Tulare County - provided pro bono services related to purchase of the property and design of the building. “The thought of losing the house got Rotarians and hospital leaders talking,” explained Nancy Lockwood of the Rotary Club of Visalia (D5230). The house will address “the needs of low-income people who could not have afforded lodging.”

WORLD ROUND UPThe activities and accomplishments of Rotary clubs around the world


This event will cover topics relevant to the global activities and growth of Rotary as they apply to our Zone, as well as to train our future leaders. It will be an opportunity to meet the senior officers

of our organisation and be part of Rotary’s future in Africa.

SAVE THE DATE!

Rotary Zone 20A Institute (Africa south of the Sahara)

11-16 September 2017Cradle of Mankind, near Johannesburg

South Africa

JamaicaGarbage bags in hand, a dozen members of the Rotary Club of Lucea (D7020)

joined Rotaractors and hotel employees to pick up litter, along the beachfront, harbour area and in empty lots between the resort areas of Negril and Montego Bay, as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean-up in September. “We removed in excess of 3 000 plastic bottles, plus plastic bags, driftwood, glass bottles, foam and other materials,” said club member Mervyn Spence. “We felt it is very important in helping to stop the coastline from being blighted by garbage which is killing sea life and wildlife, polluting the environment and endangering human health.”

MexicoSince 2002, the Rotary Club of Xicotepec de Juárez (D4185) has partnered with the

64 Rotary clubs of District 6000 (Iowa, USA) and Iowa’s two largest public universities, in a comprehensive project aimed at improving health care, education and general living conditions in the central-eastern Mexican community. Bob Main, a past president of the Rotary Club of Newton, has solicited thousands of dollars’ worth of donated equipment, such as water fountains and disinfecting ultraviolet light systems, from Iowa companies and industry associations. “They’ve heard of the work we do” and are glad to help, Main said.

GhanaAfter the mud walls of the Mafi Zongo EP Basic School collapsed in 2010, the

primary school and its 230 pupils had to use a structure that was little more than a thatched-roof shed on the grounds of a nearby church. “When it rained, teaching and learning had to come to a standstill,” said Frederick Duodu Takyi, a member of the Rotary Club of Ho (D9102), based in the Volta region. The club stepped forward with about $15 000 to build a two-classroom, concrete-block structure. “The children were really excited with the facility,” Takyi said. He added that the learning space has enhanced attendance.


While the fight to eradicate polio suffered a blow last year when the virus re-emerged in Nigeria, Rotary leaders and top health experts focused on the big picture: The global presence of the paralysing disease has never been smaller.

The headquarters of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta was the site of Rotary’s fourth annual World Polio Day event on 24 October. Some of the biggest names in the polio eradication campaign were there to reflect on the year’s progress and discuss what’s needed to end the disease for good.

More than 200 people attended the special live programme and thousands more worldwide watched online. Jeffrey Kluger, editor at large for Time magazine, moderated the event.

In a question-and-answer session with Kluger, CDC Director Tom Frieden talked about the latest developments in the effort to eradicate polio.

“We have the fewest number of cases in the fewest number of places in the world right now,” said Frieden. “We continue to make ground against polio, but we’re still recording cases in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.”

The total number of cases worldwide as of December 2016 was 34, compared with 74 in all of 2015.

Last August, Nigeria slipped back onto the list of countries where polio is endemic after cases appeared in the northern state of Borno, which until recently, was under the control of Boko Haram militants. Since the outbreak, a robust immunisation campaign has targeted up to 40 million children with oral and inactivated polio vaccines. “Because the new cases were only detected due to on-going surveillance efforts,” said Frieden, “we shouldn’t be surprised to see more cases, because better surveillance means better detection of all polio cases.”

Polio eradication efforts continue to make progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Afghanistan, cases dropped from 20 in all of 2015 to 12 as of December 2016. In Pakistan, they decreased from 54 to 18.

Frieden cited innovative tactics for reaching children in Pakistan who were often missed in the past. These include placing permanent vaccination sites at entry points to the country, provinces and large cities. Rotary has funded the purchase of cellphones for vaccination teams, so they can send data to health centres immediately.

“The virus is cornered; we just have to make sure never to let it out again,” Frieden said.

Celebrities join Rotary’s gatheringDennis Ogbe, a polio survivor and Paralympian

athlete, told his personal story of survival. Ogbe contracted polio at age three at a clinic near his home in rural Nigeria while being treated for malaria. Ogbe

Experts say the disease is on the brink of eradication

competed in the Paralympics in Sydney in 2000 and London in 2012. But he says the toughest challenge he has faced is helping to rid the world of polio.

Shira Lazar, host of the online show What’s Trending, gave a social media update during the live-streamed event in which she announced that more than 3 000 World Polio Day activities were happening around the world. In Pakistan, a huge End Polio Now message was illuminated at the Kot Diji Fort in the Khairpur district.

Rotary, with support from the US Fund for UNICEF, also unveiled a virtual reality presentation which transported attendees to the streets of India and Kenya, where they interacted with polio survivors and heard their stories.

“This is very good technology to put people in places where polio has affected so many,” said Reza Hossaini, director of polio eradication for UNICEF. “It’s important we see the places and people we are helping with our polio eradication programmes.”

Earlier in the day, Frieden and Rotary International President John F Germ announced major contributions to polio eradication. The Canadian government committed $10 million and Michael Bloomberg, businessman, philanthropist and former mayor of New York City, donated $25 million. Rotary has contributed more than $1.6 billion to polio eradication since 1985.

“We started this more than 30 years ago,” said Germ. “We’ve stuck with it all this time. And soon, we’re going to finish it!”

WE’RE GOING TO FINISH IT!


DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND!The Usborne First Atlas• Clear maps, stunning photos and illustrations• Simple text and fun facts• Interactive learning style (with Internet links)• Inspires the imagination and teaches map reading• Showcases the fascinating world around us• Pairs perfectly with the dictionary• Limited stock available from mid-February 2017

ORDER NOW!Price: R1 350 (box of 15)Orders: [email protected]

The Dictionary & Atlas Project presents

Project managed by the Rotary Club of Kromboom (D9350)

Co-sponsored by DHL and Speedlink

There is a new book on the block thanks to the Dictionary Project (managed by the Rotary Club of Kromboom, D9350) which was expanded to include a brilliant atlas for Rotary clubs to distribute in southern Africa and beyond.

The Usborne First Atlas is a magnificent publication which includes a wealth of beautiful pictures, fascinating information and provides the reader with a realistic and easy-to-understand view of the world. The First Atlas is sure to ignite the imaginations of many school children and also includes many facts and figures, such as the highest mountain, biggest island, information on different cultures, people, customs, industry, landmarks, flags, flora and fauna, to name a few.

You may ask what is the value of an atlas when, in today’s world, all the answers are easily found online? Usborne has considered this and in a quest to make the atlas both a learning tool and “tech-friendly”, the publishers have made it internet linked. This interactive learning style refers children from the atlas and to Usborne’s quick links website for additional information on various subjects. The First Atlas costs R90 and is sold in boxes of 15 for

R1 350. The first order of 2,600 atlases arrived in Cape Town in January. To avoid disappointment, clubs are encouraged to place and pay for their orders as soon as possible.

As the First Atlas and Usborne Illustrated Dictionary complement each other, it is suggested that clubs distribute both at schools, as this “pairing” will undoubtedly provide a brilliant and entertaining crash course in the fascinating world surrounding our communities.

Place your orders for the First Atlas and Illustrated Dictionary by emailing: [email protected]

New book on the block!Advertorial

mailto:[email protected]


In 2002, when Teguest Yilma helped found the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Entoto (D9212), she thought polio had already been eradicated from most of the world. But while Ethiopia had been free of the disease, Yilma was shocked to learn that new cases had started cropping up in surrounding countries such as Somalia.

“I was thinking, it’s not possible, we can’t be free if the countries around us are not free,” she said. Yilma, the managing editor of Capital, Ethiopia’s largest English weekly newspaper, brought a journalist’s skills to the fight against polio.

She became vice chair of the Ethiopia PolioPlus Committee in 2014. She believed her expertise in media

could be particularly useful in relaying information about the campaign to end polio. “What better way of communicating than with a newspaper?” Her efforts included publishing information about polio vaccinations and working alongside fellow Rotary members to expand immunisations and services to children who have suffered deformity or paralysis caused by the disease.

Her journalistic and humanitarian efforts have not gone unnoticed. Last year, Yilma was given the French Legion of Honor, France’s highest distinction. “I’m really interested and I’m really motivated by the truth,” she said. “Not only the public’s right to know, but also giving the public information that makes their lives better.”

MOTIVATED BY THE TRUTH

By Mark Wilson

In 2011, after a long flight from London, I arrived at King Shaka International Airport, Durban. With anxiety, I can clearly remember to this day, I stepped off the plane into the unknown. I had arrived to begin a New Generations Exchange sponsored by the Rotary Club of Canterbury Sunrise (D1120) and hosted by the Rotary Club of Westville (D9370).

In hindsight, I had nothing to fear. What followed those hesitant steps off the plane was an adventure like nothing I had ever experienced before. The ample opportunities to volunteer made me feel like I was making a contribution to the world. Taking the time to listen to my hosts, I learned a lot about South Africa.

The most memorable part of my exchange was the people. Rotary members and their families inspired me and these interactions have had a lasting effect on me. Rotarians showed me the meaning of kindness, generosity and love. I thank Rotary and the wonderful people of South Africa for giving me the firsthand experience of our shared core values. This was the best introduction anyone could hope for into the global family that is Rotary International.

From the age of 16, I have been a part of the Rotary

Family. I was a member and twice president of Interact and then Rotaract clubs. Through this, I have had the opportunity to speak at many district conferences and visit many more Rotary clubs with the aim of encouraging them to continue their support of young people.

In August 2016, at the age of 26, I was inducted into the Rotary Club of London (D1130). Not long after this, RI President John Germ mailed me: “Mark, your story is a great one” and encouraged me to share it.

The moral of my story is that we are a family and we should never lose sight of that. Not unlike any family that has lasted this long, we have learned that love and a common cause can unite despite our disparities.

As we continue to grow, we must continue to embrace all who seek to server humanity, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, race or otherwise. In a world that is becoming increasing divided, Rotary International must continue to shine as it always has, as a beacon of peace, unity, fellowship and friendship.

A FAMILY THAT UNITES


DON’T MISS IT!

PDG Greg Cryer and D9370 are your hosts at theCouncil of Southern Africa (COSA)Business meeting and AGMMount Edgecombe Country Club, Durban23rd to 26th February 2017

District 9370 is the host of this years COSA Conference and AGM which will be held at the Mt Edgecombe Country Club between 23 and 26 February.

Leaders from districts 9210, 9350, 9370 and 9400 will gather in Durban to receive feedback from the current and future DGs and to discuss issues relevant to the policies and administration of Rotary in the Southern African region.

This year’s theme will be “Fun, Sun & Rotary” and the COSA hosts are planning a programme that should appeal to all the delegates and partners attending the conference.

Delegates are encouraged to make the most of their trip to Durban by spending at least three nights in the city and the hosts promise a fun itinerary.

Transport logistics will be provided for those intending to fly into Durban.The Rotary Foundation will be represented by Elizabeth Lamberti from the Zurich office who will appraise

and update delegates of the Foundation’s current programmes and challenges.

Some of the Topics to be covered will include;1. DG reports2. DGE panel discussion3. Zone coordinator panel discussion4. Foundation programmes5. SA Rotary Foundation6. Council on Legislation7. Rotary Africa8. Social media9. Membership10. Polio11. Rotary Family Health Days

Early registration will take place on Thursday afternoon from 4pm and will be followed by a meet and greet braai at the clubhouse.

Three plenary sessions starting at 9.30am are planned for Friday. They will be followed by a sunset harbour cruise at 6pm around the Durban Bay.

On Saturday, the two plenary sessions will start at 9am with the AGM following at 2pm - the last formal item on the agenda is scheduled for 3.30pm. There will be a gala dinner that evening at the main clubhouse.

To wrap up the weekend’s events, the Rotary Club of Durban North will host a Brunch from 10am at the Mangrove Swamps located at the mouth of the Umgeni River on Sunday. This environmental project has been supported by local Rotary clubs for many years.

“It is the intention to ensure that this years COSA is outcomes based with an array of topics being debated and challenged throughout the two days of deliberation – the wealth of knowledge that exists amongst this gathering of past, present and future district leaders is priceless” said PDG Greg Cryer, COSA’s outgoing chairperson.

“We are hoping that all COSA members will accept District 9370’s invitation for a weekend of Fun, Sun and Rotary which will bring our zone leaders together for ongoing Rotary dialogue and the chance to rekindle class mate friendships’ said PDG Greg.

Should potential delegates have any queries or require further information please contact Hilary Augustus at [email protected] or phone (082) 5560299.

Advertorial


December was a busy time of year for 73-year-old Paul de Groot. The beginning of the month was spent preparing tractors and other things, in preparation for his 48th year as host of the Uncle Willy’s Christmas Parties.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Claremont (D9350), Uncle Willy’s Christmas parties (an institution for many children in Cape Town) take place over the course of 20 evenings in December in the grounds of Marsh Memorial Children’s Home in Rondebosch.

Every night, 120 children and their families attend the action-packed event, which culminates in Father Christmas arriving on a sleigh filled with Christmas presents for everyone. De Groot is the original Uncle Willy, the friendly host who, in his cowboy hat, holds the three hour show together by introducing Noddy, Big Ears and the Christmas Fairy, not to mention the magicians and musicians. He also makes sure that tractor rides work according to plan and that the legendary straw fight doesn’t get out of hand.

“We follow the same story every year and the children love it,” he said. He recounted how, at one point, Father Christmas was upset because the Christmas Fairy was late. When she arrived, she lit up the trees and had sweets for everyone. “I admire the parents that come with their children every year, for six to nine years in a row,” he joked.

The parties are not fundraisers. They are held to provide holiday fun for children and their parents and are run entirely by volunteers, mainly from Rotaract. Parents bring a gift for each of their children and the children bring something of theirs to give to an underprivileged child who wouldn’t normally receive a Christmas present. This teaches children the gift of giving from a young age. All profits and donations received are spent on Rotaract service projects.

De Groot was a 25-year-old Rotaractor when, after spending a few years helping at the original Uncle

Paul`s parties in Constantia, he initiated Uncle Willy’s Christmas Parties. “There’s no time for boredom. It’s fun,” he said. The retired advertising executive, whose hobbies include breathing new life into vintage cars and motorbikes, is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Claremont.

From the beginning, and later as a trustee, he played a key role in the phenomenal growth of the Cape Town Cycle Tour which the club co-owns with the Pedal Power Association as equal partners of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust (CTCTT). “In 1983, it was suggested that Rotarians volunteer to marshal and manage the logistics of the Cycle Tour; we haven’t looked back since. It was and still is a fantastic way for us to raise funds for various Rotary projects,” he says.

Already familiar with hosting Uncle Willy’s Christmas Party, it was no surprise that de Groot was given the responsibility of being the starter at the cycle tour, something he has done every year for 33 years. “I came up with Hoopla thing and now if I don’t do it, I’m in trouble,” he laughed.

Wary of the spotlight, De Groot is shy to discuss recognition he has received for his loyal contribution to Rotary club projects in Cape Town and beyond. In addition to his involvement in the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Uncle Willy’s Christmas Party, de Groot is also a Founding Director of the Reach for a Dream Foundation, and is on the Board of Marsh Memorial Children’s Home.

Rotary International awarded de Groot the World Community Service Award in honour of his loyal contribution to Rotary’s projects. “I’m not a sports person. I don’t play cricket or rugby, so this is my sport,” said de Groot. He hints that he is not done yet and is already planning another big event for one of Rotary’s beneficiaries. “It’s still under wraps for now,” he said with a big smile.

Paul de Groot, otherwise known as Uncle Willy or the Cape Town Cycle Tour’s “hoopla” man. Inset: Paul with Noddy in front of the castle.

NO TIME FOR BOREDOM


JUSTICE FOR ALLGary Haugen, leader of the International Justice Mission, contends that humanitarian work means little if basic safety is threatened

A Rotary Conversation


How are poverty and violence related?When people think about the world’s poorest people,

they don’t usually think about violence. They think of hunger, disease and a lack of education and job opportunities. But just as important is daily vulnerability to violence, and not necessarily the violence that makes headlines: War, genocide, mass atrocities.

The form of violence that is far more destructive is what we call everyday violence – that’s sexual violence, police abuse, land theft and forced labour. On a daily basis, these types of violence make it very difficult for the common poor person to improve his or her situation. You can give all kinds of goods and services to alleviate poverty, but if you’re not able to restrain the hands of the bullies that have the power to take it all away, you won’t see the kind of progress you want.

Abuse of power is a very simple human dynamic. It’s what a kid will understand in the schoolyard: There’s the kid who’s stronger and bigger than everybody else and he’s abusing that power to take something from the victim, whether it’s lunch money or possessions or just their dignity. You see the same dynamic in the adult world; it just manifests itself in more adult, violent ways over time and on a bigger scale.

Your address to the Rotary Convention focused specifically on the issue of slavery. Why this message for this audience?

We are in a moment in history when forces are coming together to make it possible to end slavery in our lifetime. For the first time, enslavement is completely against the law everywhere. It’s an ancient evil that still exists, but it’s no longer the centre of the global economy.

Rotary has demonstrated a unique capacity to focus effort on a global problem that simply shouldn’t exist anymore. Look at the example of polio: We have a vaccine that works perfectly well and we agree that

everyone should be safe from this disease, but there’s an access gap. Similarly, everyone should be safe from slavery and no parent should have to worry about a child being enslaved. We know that a combination of effective law enforcement and excellent survivor support can measurably reduce slavery and violence overall. Rotarians, in their work to end polio, have shown the kind of focus and determination we need to succeed in that struggle.

How do you respond to scientist Steven Pinker? In his book The Better Angels of Our Nature, he argues that this is actually the least violent time in history.

If you look at the broad scope of history, there is, on average, less violence in our world today. That’s good news because it shows progress is possible. But think of the comparison with polio – fewer people are vulnerable to the disease, but does that mean we don’t finish the job? Like polio, the violence that remains in our world is more concentrated in the lives of the world’s poorest people.

Wealthier countries provide a measure of security and law enforcement on a public basis, but in the developing world, personal safety often means hiring private security. The world is now divided between those who can afford to pay for their own protection and the billions who are left in lawless chaos, experiencing extreme levels of violence.

What role can more powerful members of society, like Rotarians, play in improving the situation?

In much of the developing world, the public systems of justice are so broken that those with wealth and resources do not depend on them. Every culture debates the role of government and the range of services it should provide, but there should be no doubt that the most basic of those services is seeing to the security of its citizens. Those with the opportunity to

In 1994, Rwanda was reeling from the genocide of as many as 1 million people over 100 days, the apex of decades of civil conflict in the East African nation.

Gary Haugen, then a young human rights attorney working for the US Department of Justice, landed in Kigali to head a United Nations unit investigating the genocide and gathering evidence needed to prosecute the perpetrators for war crimes.

“There was basically no functioning government,” Haugen recalls. “So much chaos is unleashed when there isn’t a civil authority exercising control. A lot of people tried to help, sending food and medicine and providing housing and education, but when it came to the problem of violence, very few people stepped up to that challenge.

Haugen established the International Justice Mission (IJM) in 1997 to address violence in developing countries. The organisation has 17 field offices and works with local investigators to rescue victims of violence, support survivors, strengthen law

enforcement and bring violent criminals to justice. In his 2014 book, The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence, Haugen argues that the progress made in the global fight against poverty means little when citizens’ basic safety is threatened.

At the 2016 Rotary International Convention in Korea, Haugen spoke about one of the most harmful forms of what he calls the “everyday violence affecting the world’s poorest people – forced labour, or slavery. “Slavery is not a relic of history,” he said, noting that an estimated 35 million enslaved people are hidden in plain sight, all over the world, generating $150 billion in profits for traffickers who seldom face prosecution.” It’s more widespread and brutal than ever. And it’s more stoppable than ever before.

Haugen sat down with contributor Sallyann Price in Seoul to talk about the importance of addressing violence and safety in development work.

“The world is now divided between those who can afford to pay for their own protection and the billions who are left in lawless chaos.”


lead must invest in public security so all citizens can enjoy that same safety.

It’s fascinating that the most common forms of violence in the developing world are almost always against the law already. The problem is not the absence of law, but the absence of law enforcement that protects everyone. That’s our focus at IJM.

When did you first see this pattern?After I graduated from college, I lived in South

Africa. The big issue at the time was the apartheid crisis. That’s where I started to see what it was like to live in a society of violent oppression and abuse. After law school, I went to work for the US Department of Justice, where I worked specifically on the problem of police abuse in the United States. I started to see that no matter where you are in the world, no matter which country you’re in, people with power – whether political or police – tend to abuse it if they are not held accountable. I saw the particular problem of violence against the poor when I was sent to Rwanda in 1994 to direct the UN’s investigation into the genocide there. A lot of people tried to help, sending food and medicine and providing housing and education, but when it came to the problem of violence, very few people stepped up to that challenge. Slavery in this era strikes me as a similar issue: We are aware of it, we can stop it and it is up to us to take that responsibility.

How does IJM help a community plagued by violence?

In many parts of the developing world, people have given up hope that law enforcement will ever protect the poor from violence. Our work demonstrates that it’s possible to change. The recovery of that hope is a game-changer.

We begin with what we call collaborative casework with the local authorities. We recruit a local team of lawyers, investigators and social workers and start working on individual cases. As we try to bring the criminals to justice, we start to see the broken points in the criminal justice system.

When we begin working on a case, we pursue a baseline study to measure the prevalence of different types of violence and the performance of the police and the courts. Working from those two baselines, we can measure when the criminal justice system starts working better and violence decreases. Over hundreds

of cases over many years, we’ve documented that it is possible to transform a broken law enforcement system into one that protects poor people effectively.

How is that progress measured?One measure of success is the relative ease or

difficulty of committing a particular crime. Cambodia is a great example. When we started working there 15 years ago, you could arrive in Phnom Penh and within an hour you could easily purchase a child for sex. That’s much harder to do now. Our project there focused on enhancing the criminal justice system’s capacity to send sex traffickers to jail and we’ve seen hundreds of convictions since then. Our baseline study found that as many as 30 percent of commercial sex workers there were children. That figure is closer to 1 percent now. Also, because the Cambodian authorities are effectively enforcing the law, IJM is no longer needed. That’s our ultimate objective.

How does IJM determine where to intervene? IJM uses a variety of criteria for assessing the

location of a future project, including prevalence of crime and the political will of the government and local law enforcement to address crime. Because our model of justice system transformation centres on building capacity in the public justice systems of the countries and communities we’re working in, it is imperative that there be at least some desire to address the problem from within law enforcement.

How can Rotary members help keep communities safe as they plan humanitarian aid projects in the developing world?

Ask people what they need and connect with local groups addressing those needs. Since people are less likely to talk about violence, Rotary members should be very intentional about facilitating conversations to explore specific problems. Once you start the conversation and sharpen your focus on this issue, you start to see it over and over again.

Rotary is already raising the bar of excellence in terms of sustainability and accountability in its projects. But violence fights back in a way that is different from hunger or homelessness. If you take on violence, you may end up putting yourself on the line in some manner. The willingness to take on this challenge is a powerful message.

JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST SLAVERYMillions of people are being held captive for commercial gain. Mass

migrations, poverty, natural disasters and conflict create situations in which vulnerable adults and children are exploited. No nation or neighbourhood is immune. While slavery is illegal everywhere, it is likely happening near you. The Rotarian Action Group Against Slavery raises awareness and helps Rotarians take action against slavery and human trafficking through its programmes, campaigns and projects. The group is made up of 1 600 members and supporters across 65 countries who support clubs around the world.

Rotarian Action Groups are open to Rotarians, family members of Rotarians and Rotaractors who want to join together in support of clubs and districts planning and implementing service projects in their respective areas of expertise. To join, visit ragas.online.


This year, is The Rotary Foundation centennial and clubs have been celebrating the milestone. To encourage this, the D9400 Foundation Committee offered a $1 000 prize to the club which formulated the best centenary celebration.

President Nicky Savvides of the Rotary Club of Boksburg Lake (D9400) suggested his club should celebrate the centenary with a cruise on the luxury Vaal cruiser, the Spirit of Jen. The cruiser’s owners, who also own Stonehaven on Vaal and are members of the Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark, assisted the Boksburg Lake club to put together a family fun celebratory breakfast cruise. Stonehaven’s only request was that Rotary Club Vanderbijlpark should be included in the event. Boksburg Lake agreed and decided to invite as many clubs as possible to join the celebration.

Sixteen clubs were represented on the cruise, including those of District Governor Grant Daly and District Governor-Elect Jankees Sligcher, as well as the past and present chairmen of the D9400 Foundation Committee, PDGs Greg Stathacopoulos and Francis Callard. Also among the 100 guests (one for each year of the foundation’s existence) were representatives from two radio stations and the local newspaper. PDG Greg Stathacopoulos told the guests about The Rotary Foundation and impressed a number of younger visitors, who were surprised at the admirable activities of The Rotary Foundation.

Rotary Ideas helps clubs find volunteers, partnerships and in-kind donations, as well as funding. More than 1 220 projects have been posted on the platform since it launched in August 2013. And, unlike other crowdfunding sites, Rotary Ideas emphasises partnerships.

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF ROTARY IDEAS1. Share your project page through social networks like Facebook,

Twitter and Instagram.2. Include as many details about the project as you can. Use photos

to illustrate needs.3. Once donations are committed, use the Contributors tab to see

who has pledged funds.

For more information contact the Ideas team at [email protected].

Top: PDG Greg Stathacopoulos (of the Rotary Club of Benoni) with Boksburg Lake President Nicky Savvides. Right: President Siobheanne Landsberg (of the Rotary Club of Springs) and her husband, Dean.

CENTENNIAL RIVER CRUISE

FIND PROJECT PARTNERS


Free vitamins for moms and babies.

Does your Rotary Club or a local partner organization work in Maternal/Child Health or Nutrition?

Vitamin Angels offers qualified organizations working with children under 5 and/ or pregnant women free in-kind grants of:

• Vitamin A supplements• Albendazole (deworming)• Multivitamins for pregnant and

breastfeeding women

Visit www.vitaminangels.org/grant or email [email protected]

to learn more or apply. Mention Rotary Africa.

Residents of Arcadia Place Old Age Home were treated by the Rotary Club of Claremont (D9350) to a fun day trip.

The group travelled by bus around the Peninsula, enjoyed a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and a tasty lunch of fish and chips at Hout Bay’s Fish on the Rocks restaurant. Cloud cover on the mountain did not stop the group from exploring; even those using walkers participated. They also received goodie bags filled with toiletries, sweets, biscuits and socks donated by children from SACS Junior School.

“This is the fourth year that we have arranged a surprise treat for a group of elderly people who live on government pensions. It is rewarding to see how excited they become about the trip which is often filled with first time experiences and many laughs,” said Ian Robertson, president of the Rotary Club of Claremont. “The trip is arranged to coincide with International Older Person’s Day, celebrated on 1 October.”

Members of the Rotary Club of Claremont treated 44 pensioners to a surprise day trip. At the top of Table Mountain is Jo Maxwell, a member of the Rotary Club of Claremont, with Madge Lapperts and Moira Smith.

ALL AROUND CAPE TOWN

pro

jects


REBUILDING A SCHOOLAbout 30 years ago, a community-based initiative started a primary school for the children of Nyanga. On a small piece of land in the middle of the neighbourhood, some light structures were built to house the school, which was named Stormont Madubela Primary School after a legendary community leader.

Over time, funding was sourced to build solid classrooms, a library, a kitchen, ablution facilities and administration offices. They were either constructed from brick or installed as converted shipping containers. Soon the school had 300 children in seven grades and a number of educators, administration staff and cooks, who provided lunch for the children on a daily base.

Today, the facility has been registered as an independent school and it receives government subsidies. However, these subsidies were too low to fund necessary building maintenance. This led to the buildings deteriorating significantly; broken doors, cracking floors, sagging ceilings and leaking roofs became the norm. Due to insufficient security, the school was also vandalised and often broken into. Some classrooms were overcrowded and even the outdoor areas were too small to accommodate all the

learners during break times.Many scientific studies have proven that

environmental conditions shape one’s attitude and behaviour. A broken, dirty, run-down school triggers careless behaviour towards the property, other learners and even towards oneself. Negativity manifests in our thinking and doing and there is no chance for a successful career under these circumstances!

In the early 90s, the outreach programme of the Cape Town based Ananda Kutir Ashram became aware of the critical situation of the learners and began providing sandwiches and other support to the school. The Ashram members started yoga classes for the learners in 2010.

In the meantime, the school buildings continued to fall apart and desperate to see it repaired, the Ashram approached the Rotary Club of Cape Town Noon Gun (D9350) for help.

The club recently was pulled from the brink of collapse by its tiny, but dedicated group of members. Membership had plummeted following a number of set-backs.

DG Ian Pursch explained that despite the setbacks, the remaining members were deeply committed to

One of the corridors at Stormont Madubela Primary before the club began the refurbishment project.


LOOKING AHEAD

The Rotary Club of Cape Town Noon Gun is busy raising funds to ship second hand school furniture it sourced in Germany.

The furniture is in mint condition and the club has raised in the region of a third of the estimated R60 000 needed to cover the shipping and clearing costs.

Once the furniture is received and delivered to the school, the final phase of the project will be completed.

For further information see: www.facebook.com/rotarynoongunclub

or www.stormofgoodhope.co.za/

reviving the club and enthusiastically undertook the refurbishment project.

The club sourced more than R2 million in funding from the German organisation Ein Herz für Kinder to renovate the buildings. It also partnered with the Swiss organisation Ubuntu Verein, which facilitated the project management. The damaged buildings were repaired and repainted, a new kitchen and toilets were installed, roofs were replaced, risky containers were removed, new classrooms provided or extended, more security devices were installed and additional outdoor play space was created. The local nursery, Just Trees, donated two fig trees to add a touch of nature and shade for hot days.

Renovation plans and processes were discussed at public meetings and local stakeholders were included in the six-month renovation process. The South African National Civic Organisation played a crucial role in liaising with the community, while the volunteer neighbourhood watch group, SECTOR, which is supported by the South African Police Service, contributed by ensuring safety around the school property at night.

Last May, the renovated school was officially handed back to the School Governing Body. It is hoped that the upgraded school will inspire and shape the attitudes of the children to help them mature as positive, respectful adults, who will continue to share the powerful and committed spirit of the founders of the Stormont Madubela Primary School.

Above: The government grant the school received was not enough to fund general building maintenance and the school fell into a state of disrepair. Below: One of the refurbished classrooms. The final phase of the project has yet to be implemented.

Advertorial


By Mohamed Tayub

The Rotary Club of Pershore (D1100 England) and the Rotary Club of Limbe (D9210) sponsored four sustainability projects at the Yamikani Child Care Institution.

The four projects were the expansion of the vegetable garden, maintenance of the borehole, construction of a chicken coop and an alteration to the back perimeter brick wall.

Growing their own vegetables has not only added to the Institutions self-sufficiency but it has allowed them to grow and incorporate new vegetables in the children’s diet. The children learnt that through planting and caring for their crops the land sustains them and provides a food source.

An unreliable water source coupled with a broken

borehole provided some challenges to the preparation and maintenance of the vegetable garden. Thanks to funding from the Rotary Club of Pershore, the borehole was quickly restored to working condition. During the restoration of the borehole it was found that the structure holding the water tank was unsound and a new one was built to replace it. Not only was the borehole fixed but the pipes leading from it to the tank were dug up, checked and replaced where eroded.

The chicken coop was constructed from bricks, making it able to withstand the elements. Chickens will be purchased in the first quarter of 2017.

With security being of utmost importance to protect the children and the property of the Yamikani Child Care Institution, it was decided to raise the back perimeter wall by ten rows of bricks and to affix broken glass and barbed wire to the top of it as a further deterrent.

The height of the back wall was increased to further secure the orphanage.

FOUR PROJECTS TO HELP ORPHANS

TIME WAITS FOR NO ONEPromote your business, club or district

activities in ROTARY AFRICA

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

• Reach 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


Hippotherapy (horse therapy) was first recognised in the 1960s by European therapists. It is now globally acknowledged as a valuable alternative for physical, occupational and speech therapy

Trish Hart, an occupational therapist in Hout Bay, has turned to horses to assist her in providing care and development for members of her community who suffer from motive disorders.

Occupational therapy helps people tackle activities associated with daily living. With children, this includes being helped to play and attend school. Older people might need therapy to help them manage themselves at home or at work.

Trish added hippotherapy, a medical tool where the horse’s movement stimulates the neurological changes which aid in postural control, to her practice.

Trish explained why she chose to add hippotherapy: “Horses have never lost the admiration of humankind because of what they are, what they can do and the loyal friend they become. I have developed a passion to concentrate on the use of horses to help patients with their disorders.”

She further added that “I have children who have never seen a horse, much less ridden one, take to

Pocahontas (Trish’s piebald mare) like a duck to water yet others show absolute fear.”

Each patient is introduced to Pocahontas. Trish then teaches them how to touch and groom thereby developing a communication channel between the patient and Pocahontas. This also builds self confidence in the patient. Only once the patient and Pocahontas are comfortable with each other do the riding lessons begin. A slow introduction between patient and Pocahontas builds a relationship which in most cases, starts with nervousness and ends in beaming smiles and cries of delight.

Since starting her practice Trish has faced numerous obstacles, one being how to safely lift her patients into the saddle. Trish realised she needed a mounting frame/ramp so she would not have to lift her patients into the saddle.

Trish made a rough sketch of what she would need and presented it to her father Ian Hart, a member of the Rotary Club of Constantia (D9350) and asked for his thoughts.

Like any good Rotarian, Ian turned to his club for help. Lloyd Whitfield, an engineer and member of the Constantia club, said he could fabricate the frame if he

BACK TO THE DRAUGHTING BOARDThe Rotary Club of Constantia saddles up for the challenge

TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE


had a workshop to work in. Richard Rawson, another engineer and club member, offered up his home workshop for the project.

Lloyd and Richard started the project and within a week, Lloyd found his draughting pencils and both of them had refreshed their welding skills. Soon, the frame was painted and ready for delivery.

The only set back in the building of the frame was in the delivery when Richard realised they had overlooked the logistics of delivering a fully built frame. However, a few modifications were made to a trailer and the frame was delivered.

It was amazing to see how the addition of the frame had changed Trish’s practice. “Pocahontas acclimatized very quickly to the frame and now walks up to it and is not disturbed when the children walk up the ramp and are guided into the saddle,” said Trish.

The patients who need greater assistance crawl up the ramp to the platform, while the less mobile are carried or wheeled up before they are easily settled safely in the saddle. The mounting frame and platform are used to groom and feed Pocahontas which improves the connection between the patients and horse.

“Simple acts can go a long way” said Lloyd “We Rotarians are compassionate people with a passion to help. So, at a cost of less than R5 000, as well as a bit of old fashioned blood, sweat and tears, a problem was solved and a challenge was met”

Meet the Construction Crew! PDG Lloyd Whitfield (right) and PP Rich Rawson review the drawings of the platform and ramp. Below: Trish and her assistants help some of the young patients from the ramp into the saddle.


“In the short span of 6 weeks, the children have shown continued interest and improvement in absorbing new information. The positive energy is contagious and exciting. With only a handful of weeks under the belt, SOUNS is already proving itself,” was the observation of a Peace Corps volunteer of the SOUNS project.

The Rotary Club of Pretoria East (D9400) implemented the SOUNS reading project in March 2011. Contact was established with Peace Corps Volunteers almost immediately and the training of volunteers started in 2012.

Two groups of volunteers arrive in South Africa every year and recently the 11th group of volunteers has undergone SOUNS training. In total, 139 volunteers have been trained and 145 new sets of SOUNS letters handed out. The project impacts on the lives of 5 000 pupils each year.

The Peace Corps volunteers are encouraged to donate their SOUNS sets to a community member (counterpart) who will continue using SOUNS to benefit the community. When this cannot be achieved, the volunteer is encouraged to return the SOUNS letter set to their headquarters for re-cycling. This process

functions well. The Peace Corps volunteers are stationed in very rural areas in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The Pretoria East Rotarians were interested to note that whenever the topic of Rotary was raised, the highly motivated Peace Corps members became keen to find their nearest club and establish contact.

Although the outcomes of this project with Peace Corps are difficult to pin down because its footprint is so wide, some special cases do exist. One volunteer based between Bronkhorstspruit and Groblersdal was able to position sets in 12 different crèches.

The most recent group of 12 volunteers to receive training were for the most part based in Limpopo. They were trained by Robin Jones of the Rotary Club of Pretoria East and his wife, Edie, on how to use SOUNS in crèches, in Grade R, Grade 1 and as a remedial tool for children who have reading difficulties. Each volunteer left the training session with the necessary skills, a SOUNS set, a writing board, an Usborne Illustrated Dictionary (all of which were donated by the Rotary Club of Pretoria East) and details of the Books in Homes programme which is run by the Rotary Club of White River (D9400).

A FLOURISHING PARTNERSHIPPeace Corps volunteers being trained in the SOUNS programme. The project was rolled out by the Rotary Club of Pretoria East in 2011 to teach literacy to young children at crèches and schools within its community. As many as 5 000 children are reached by the SOUNS project each year.

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A Global Grant obtained by the Rotary Clubs of Durban Bay (D9370) and Shelton Skookum (D5020) in conjunction with three other Rotary clubs has helped empower the local crafters who supply Woza Moya Crafts. The clubs used the grant to employ two craft consultants who have worked closely with the crafters on product and skill development.

At the opening of Buzzart 2016, the annual KwaZulu-Natal Society for Arts (KZNSA) exhibition, KZNSA Director Angela Shaw thanked the clubs for their on-going support of the unique partnership between Woza Moya and KZNSA. Dr Marion Spence, John Hinck and other Rotarians attended the opening and were impressed by the items on display.

Nearly half of the grant period has passed and the Woza Moya team has benefited greatly. The craft team has received on-going training and support from the two craft consultants. Product Design Specialist, Angela introduced the embroidery group to geometric and mandala designs, a new item has been added to the famous sock monkey range and the grannies’ knitting group had their quirky beanies redesigned using new colours and elegant stripes.

Craft Sales and Marketing Consultant, Venessa

Muller (who was employed by Woza Moya for a year as part of the Global Grant), has been hard at work. Her duties have included improving procurement systems, training the craft team in production planning, stock control, budgeting and costing and communicating with customers.

Woza Moya is an income generating project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust that helps people in need regain hope and dignity by using their creativity to earn an income. At present, Woza Moya acts as an agent for more than 300 crafters.

As the HIV/AIDS pandemic increased more families turned to the centre for help which trained them in different crafts. Woza Moya markets the goods made and has a shop on the centre premises.

Its products are also sold online (wozamoya.org.za), through Oxfam in Australia and at the KZNSA Gallery.

The AIDS centre has proven that with the right care and access to medication, lives can be turned around. It has found that economic empowerment is one of the most important factors in fighting the pandemic as it gives the crafters the opportunity to look to the future. In doing so they take ownership of their disease and are motivated to regain and maintain their good health.

Rotarians visited the Woza Moya shop and met some of the staff and crafters.

GLOBAL GRANT CRAFTS HOPE


by Peter Minjale (K2 TASO Director)

The President of Rotary Club of Lilongwe (D9210), Nurul Usman, and two Rotarians, Alfred Mwambila and Martin Isyagi, visited Manyenye located in the Kasungu district, Malawi.

K2 Tigwiranemanja AIDS Support Organisation (K2 TASO) invited the Rotarians to visit and meet the

residents and leaders of the village. The Rotarians also witnessed the process of in-door spraying to kill mosquitoes.

This is one of the malaria prevention projects the club supports and was undertaken to reduce the occurrence of malaria in the community. The programme was approved by the District Health Officer of Kasungu District.

A SPRAY IN TIME CAN SAVE LIVES

Children under the age of five years are exceptionally vulnerable to malaria and the use of IRS (mosquito spray) remains the best method of eradicating mosquitoes harbouring the parasite which causes malaria.

Lilongwe President Nurul Usman prepares a Hudson Sprayer to demonstrate its effectiveness.

A spray operator demonstrates how the chemical agent is sprayed on the walls of people’s homes and other structures to kill mosquitoes.


Thanks to a donation of surfboards to Philisa Abafazi Bethu (PAB), a non-profit organisation in Lavender Hills, youngsters have spent their summer enjoying exhilarating surfing lessons. PAB is a community based organisation in Lavender Hill that works with local children, women and elderly people who have been victims of abuse.

The Rotary Club of Newlands (D9350), which is PAB’s corporate sponsor, approached The Liberty Wharf Trust for a donation of ten surfboards for PAB’s children’s surfing programme. The imported surfboards are made of a softer material which helps to protect the children from getting injured should they get hit by a board while learning to surf.

The Newlands club also donated wetsuits to be used for PAB’s swimming and surfing lessons and works to regularly expose the children to different settings away from their community which is rife with drugs and gangsterism.

The main objective is to get these children out of harms way through regular physical exercise. Not only do these activities create a stimulating environment for the children but they also learn about the importance of

exercising and staying healthy. “Our aim is to get these children out of negative

environments on a regular basis so that they can see that there are places free of abuse and good people who have their best interest at heart,” said Terry Lancaster of the Rotary Club of Newlands.

To ensure that the children are safe while travelling to the Muizenberg beach, the Rotary Club of Newlands fitted new tyres to the vehicle which transports the children and ensured it underwent a routine safety inspection.

The club plans to get other sponsors involved to donate more surfboards and a trailer to transport the boards.

“We would like to thank Liz Benninger for introducing us to such a worthwhile project and The Liberty Wharf Trust for joining us and sponsoring the first surfboards. This has been an exciting project to be involved in and seeing the faces of these children light-up when we showed them the new surfing boards was priceless. It is fulfilling to know that, in a small way, we are making a difference in their lives and helping to shape their future,” concluded Lancaster.

Rotarian Terry Lancaster of the Rotary Club of Newlands shares in the excitement as the club presented 10 surfboards to the children of Philisa Abafazi Bethu (PAB) in Lavender Hill. The surfboards were donated by The Liberty Wharf Trust through the Rotary Club of Newlands.

SUMMER SURF TIME


With the weather once again coming to the party, the 42nd annual Rotary Club of Umhlanga charity golf day teed off at Mt Edgecombe Country Club in November.

Under the polished organisation of Rotarian Barry Roberts, 132 golfers took to the manicured greens to support the Rotary club.

President Lisa Sukdev and fellow Rotarian, Anna Kalinowska, donned Gatsby costumes and sold raffle tickets to the value of R16 000. All players received a spot prize before concluding the day with dinner

Despite tough economic times, a total of R160 000 was raised. Over the last 20 years the annual golf day has raised more than R2.5 million which the club has used to assist those in need.

Rotarian Barry Roberts (centre) organised the event. With him are President Lisa Sukdev and Anna Kalinowska. Below: Rob Hay and Mark O’Brien busy packing the spot prizes for the players.

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RUNNING TOTAL REACHES R2.5M



Early in 2016, Siham Boda of the Rotary Club of Waterfront (D9350) led a discussion with the EarlyActors from Rahmaniyah Primary School about what they would like their EarlyAct club to achieve.

One of the first suggestions came from Abdullah Kapangura who said, “We want to help stop fights on the playground.”

Against the background of the violent ‘fees’ protests, gang violence and exceptionally high levels of violent crime in the area, it was hardly surprising that the inevitable playground scuffles have resulted in some conflict.

Two Waterfront Rotarians, Siham Boda and Chris Fick, are seasoned commercial mediators and after a discussion with Principal Rawoot, they enlisted the help of Hugh Fynn, a former principal.

The team constructed a peer mediation programme with appropriate conflict resolution techniques. The concept had to be simplified so that it could be taught in a few sessions (with periodic top-ups). It needed to be practical so that it would make sense to primary school learners and above all, it needed to be workable and provide the children with a few ‘power-tools’ to change the outcome of a playground fight.

During the training sessions, the learners were asked to discuss recent incidents of conflict they had witnessed or experienced. This ranged from playground altercations to family disputes where the fights started

over something relatively small and escalated, sometimes resulting in violence.

The overwhelming response from the children was that conflict is negative and ultimately unproductive. What amazed Siham and Hugh was how quickly they realised that conflict presented an opportunity to engage an issue and that there was an alternative – a different, more constructive way to resolve disputes and engage each other.

Initially, feedback from the teachers was anecdotal. Learners were reporting that they resolved conflicts with their siblings, inside their families and on the playground. It was only once they started keeping track of the ‘incidents resolved’, that they realised that during the last three terms of 2016, more than 150 playground fights had been resolved.

This project succeeded because the learners were committed and received a lot of support from the teachers, the principal, Hugh Fynn and members of the Rotary Club of Waterfront.

This year, the club will implement a second phase of the project at Rahmaniyah Primary School. The plan is to enhance the training with extra modules on how to de-escalate aggressive behaviour.

Siham hopes to expand this programme to several other schools, using the teachers as mentors and trainers. Rotarians who work with EarlyAct and Interact Clubs as well as those who wish to participate are welcome to join the programme.

PEACE BUILDINGThe need for a mediation and conflict resolution programme was identified during a discussion with EarlyActors.


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The Rotary Club of Durban-Merewent (D9370) has chartered Interact clubs at the Pather, Fairvale and Umbilo Secondary Schools. The learners and their educators were excited at the prospect of becoming more involved in their communities.

The President of the Interact Club of Collegiate High School for Girls, Catherine Woodhead (right), recently gave an informative and interesting report to the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth (D9370). With her are Carla Grobler, President Denise Pudney and PP Kas Kasongo.


OUR CHRISTMAS WRAP UP

At a meeting on 13 April 1956, the Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg (D9370) established its Seniors Club. Now in its 60th year, this project is the club’s oldest project and continues to provide wonderful and dynamic services to the elderly.

In December, the Seniors Club treated 60 residents of the NCVV Home for the Aged to a Christmas Tea Party. Although a number of them were confined to the home’s frail care facility and could not attend the main function, the club made sure they were also treated to cakes, slabs of chocolate and Christmas cards.

Preparations commenced early on the day with Rotarian Trudy Stegan and her team setting up the venue. All the eats for the NCVV party were sponsored by friends of Rotary and the excess was donated for use at a funeral tea.

Claude Charles, a retired musician, set up his sound system then began playing his guitar and singing well-known songs while the residents took their seats. Not only did many sing along happily, but there were a few brave souls who got up and danced. Claude, a regular helper at many of the Seniors Club events, performs without charge as a service to the elderly and is appreciated by all. Early last year, the Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg recognised his contibutions with a Community Service Award.

The Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg supports a number of homes for the aged. Among them is Azalea

Gardens where residents are often treated to social activities, such as games of Bingo or Beetle every second month.

Residents pay to play and the funds raised go back to the home to purchase necessary items such as Jo-Jo tanks for water-harvesting. Other homes benefitting from the Seniors Club programmes are the Isabel Beardmore Home for the aged and the Aryan Benevolent Home. The residents of these homes are also entertained on a fortnightly basis. While Bingo is popular, residents often prefer to simply chat over tea. On occasion, singers like David Holby and the pastors of the Wheatfield Mission are invited to entertain or some other activity is presented and enjoyed by all. These residents are also given a Christmas Lunch by the Rotary club.

Four homes for the aged in the city fall under the care and management of the Allison Homes Trust (King George V, Queen Mary Place, Catherine Spencer and Prince Alfred homes). Residents of these homes are also provided with regular social events, entertainment and treats.

There is little doubt that the elderly, especially those with limited means, face many challenges. The Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg recognises the significant contributions made by these people and believes that every effort should be made to make them feel valued and cherished.

Residents of the NCVV home enjoying their Christmas Tea Party. Photo: Jason Londt.

PARTY TIME IN PIETERMARITZBURG


repo

rt backUncle Jumbo’s Christmas Party, an interactive party for children, is presented annually by the Rotaract Club of Port Elizabeth (D9370) and supported by the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth. The event has become an institution in the city and has run for 53 years. Funds raised at the party are distributed to various charities. Children enjoy seeing their favourite storybook and movie characters in person at the event. Right: Thankfully, Billy Pullen was on hand when Noddy’s car needed some attention! Below: Ready to meet their fans are Noddy (Matthew Currin), Big Ears (Derek Bakker), Peter Pan (Ethan Currin) and Mr Plod (Jarryd Vorgers).

Khanya Hospice Nursing staff busy sorting the toys which Jay and Priscilla Ramsunder, their friends and family collected. The toys were distributed by the Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti (D9370).


Hundreds of people flocked to attend the Rotary Club of Ladybrand (D9370) Christmas Market. More than 30 stall holders set up their stalls in the exquisite gardens of My Housy Guest House. While their parents shopped, children indulged in candy floss and had fun on the jumping castles. The club donated the funds raised at the market to CANSA.

Members of the Rotary Club of Chatsworth (D9370) spent three days collecting non-perishable food at the Chatsworth Centre for their Unite Against Hunger Campaign. The hampers were distributed to needy people during the festive season.

The members of the Rotary Club of Port Alfred (D9370) collected Christmas gifts for needy children at their annual Tree of Joy collection. The gifts were sorted and delivered before Christmas. As Sakhisizwe Creche was closed for the holidays, the Rotarians stored the gifts and delivered them to the slightly overawed toddlers in Nemato Township when school reopened.


The Rotary Club of Chatsworth (D9370) hosted a blood donor drive at the SANBS branch in Chatsworth Centre to help increase the stock levels for the festive season. A total of 32 pints of blood were collected and interestingly, all the donations came from first time donors.

The Rotary Club of Edenvale (D9400) manned a gift wrapping station from 9 December until Christmas Eve. More than R34 000 was raised. At the stand are Debbie Mather, Secretary Linda Clarke, Taffy (Interactor) and Jane Trumble.

A number of children had a very merry Christmas thanks to the Rotary Club of Klerksdorp (D9370), which took Father Christmas to visit Manu Dei School for Disabled Children. One little girl who can’t speak was so overjoyed by the visit that later that evening, she repeatedly tried to phone Father Christmas. Rotarian Brian Smit heard of this when he spoke to her mother to find out how the little girl was. Thankfully, Father Christmas was on hand to speak to his little fan. Unable to speak, she laughed the whole time.


Fourteen supervisors and assistants from five pre-schools in Kenton-On-Sea and Marselle attended the final meeting of the Pre-School Support Group. At the meeting, President Tony Swift, of the Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea (D9370), gave certificates to those who had regularly attended meetings. The club’s youth services committee had run a competition to find the most improved pre-school and the winner was announced at the meeting. Ekuphumleni Pre-School won first prize and received plastic tables, chairs, educational toys and games. The second prize of educational toys and games was won by Lukhanyo Pre-School. This project is linked to the club’s Teacher Workshops and aims to encourage and assist teachers at all schools, especially those where resources are limited.

The Rotary Club of Paarl (D9350) gave Eduboxes (educational toy sets) to a number of local primary and nursery schools, including the Paarl Stimulation Centre for Disabled Children. Each Edubox contains ten teaching tools, such as an abacus and a clock. With some of the children are Moemiena Salie (head of Paarl Stimulation Centre), Willem Muller (governing body chairman), President Marita van der Sluys, Rotarian Deon Erasmus, Johanna Mphuting (teaching assistant) and Rotarian Abie Martin.

For many years, the Rotary Club of Tygerberg (D9350) has assisted the Blue Mountain Primary School, situated next to the Clara Anna Fontein Development. The school educates 227 learners from previously disadvantaged families. Before the 2017 school year began, the club delivered enough stationery to equip each of the learners for the year. At the handover are Rotarians Gordon Ludski, Nigel Lambert, Principal Mr Baatjies, President Marcel Hoogebeen, Sabine Ehrmann and Rene Lesch.


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The Rotary Club of Durban-Clairwood Park (D9370) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its literacy festival at Junagarth Primary School. To celebrate, the school organised a literacy festival where learners showed their talents and received books and prizes from the principal and club president.

Anns from the Rotary Club of Helderberg (D9350) assisted with arranging a KFC donation of lunches for the volunteers at the Somerset West Village Garden. The community project grows and provides vegetables to the unemployed people of Somerset West.

The Rotary Club of Swellendam (D9350) was asked by the Cape Town Cycle Trust to administer the 2016 Coronation Double Century Cycle race. The gruelling 203 kilometre cycle race saw 3 000 riders, grouped in teams of 12, follow a route over four mountain passes in a test of stamina, teamwork and technique. Due to the enormity of the task, the Rotary Club of Swellendam was supported by the Rotary Clubs of Breede River Winelands and Melkbos, its Interact club, other service organisations and the Swellendam community. More than 200 people were also employed by the club to assist at the event. Seen on the right are some of the volunteers selling cold drinks at the event.


The Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park (D9370) celebrated The Rotary Foundation Centenary at Greyville Race Course. Consul Mr SKS Rawat (Consulate of India, Durban) was the guest of honour. President Sarita Sirohi welcomed the 150 guests and the sponsors to the races before explaining the importance of supporting The Rotary Foundation and initiatives such as End Polio Now.

Under the leadership of Ian Milne (front), the Rotary Club of Beacon Bay (D9370) participated in a potjie cooking competition. The Rotarians sold servings of the potjie to eager customers.

To increase its visual presence in the city, the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth (D9370) erected a Rotary sign at its meeting place, The Club on Bird Street. President Denise Pudney with fellow member and owner of the premises, Phil Gutsche.

A highly successful garden tea fundraiser was held by the Rotary Club of Durban-Merewent (D9370) at the Chatsworth Hospice after which the club presented a donation of R60 000 to the hospice.


The Rotary Club of Swellendam (D9350) hosted 10 Swedish Rotarians during their Friendship Exchange to South Africa. The Swedes spent five nights in Swellendam and toured the Bontebok National Park on the first day. This was followed by a heritage walk with Rotarian Johan Kriek, the recently retired curator of the Drostdy Museum. During a braai at The Hideaway, President Noelene Cole briefed the visitors on Swellendam club’s projects. The visitors shared a presentation before performing some traditional Swedish songs. The following day was spent on a wine tour which culminated in a visit to the award-winning Marbrin Olive Farm. The last day of the visit coincided with the 51st anniversary of the charter of Rotary Club of Swellendam. To celebrate the anniversary the Rotarians enjoyed a cruise on the Buffeljags Dam, which was followed by a swim, a braai and cupcakes.

During a Christmas party it held for the residents of TAFTA Lodge, the Rotary Club of Durban-Clairwood Park (D9370) presented the lodge management with new curtains for the hall and two sitting rooms. The lodge is home to 160 residents. The club received a certificate of appreciation from TAFTA


The Rotary Club of Westville (D9370) used a District Grant to purchase and install a rainwater harvesting system at Headway-Natal. The organisation was established in 1981 by Aubrey Marrs, whose son had been injured in a car accident. Headway began as a support group that met once a week. In 1998, a house was purchased in Westville from the Lynn family, whose son had also suffered a head injury. The organisation offers rehabilitation and occupational activity programmes five days a week and assists with the rehabilitation of persons who have suffered head injuries. It also gives guidance and support to their families and friends. At the handover of the system are Chris and Fran Beekman, Dawn and PDG Richard Fisher, Vince Dümmer, Frank Butler, Margie Christie and Colleen Ruggier.

A fun day of face painting, singing and dancing was enjoyed by families of Banana City Informal Settlement and members of the Rotary Club of Durban-Clairwood Park (D9370). The visit was held as part of the club’s Foundation centennial celebrations. The children were given centennial t-shirts and a number of treats.

The 2016 Swift Half Marathon was a resounding success. The annual event, sponsored by Hulamin and the Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg (D9370), drew a record attendance. The overall winner was Slindile Gubese of Phantane Athletic Club in a time of 1.7.52. The first woman home was Linda Gabela of Muden Athletic Club in a time of 1.32.56. With the winner of the women’s race is race director, Alex Anthony. Photo: Jason Londt.


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Rotary Africa Feb 2017

News & Politics

Transcript of Rotary Africa Feb 2017