1. rotary africarotary africaEstablished in 1927 ♦ A member of the Rotary World Magazine Press ♦ April 2015
For the little ones
Massive project makes life better
www.rotaryafrica.com
2. 2 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
CREATIVITY IS THINKING UP NEW THINGS.
INNOVATION IS DOING NEW THINGS.
Sales: (011) 825-1100 | Sales Fax: (011) 825-7428
Email: sales@lasher.co.za or exportsales@lasher.co.za
or visit www.lasher.co.za or www.lasher.mobi or find us on facebook or twitter
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3. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 3
in this issue...
contents
Cover story
10 | For the little ones
Regulars
4 | From the editor
5 | Message from the RI President
6 | What you should know
Foundation Chair’s message
7 | Convention countdown
9 | Our Foundation
Projects
10 | For the little ones
14 | New teaching toolkit
15 | Safety first
17 | Clean water for Hluhluwe
20 | Food for everyone
21 | Presenting options
22 | A great train day
23 | Friends from abroad
24 | Project in pipeline
25 | Bright or bald?
26 | Fashionably fun
Celebrate
28 | Happy 110th Rotary!
Youth
30 | Goodbye Zimbabwe
32 | Busy, busy Interactors
33 | Youth news from our clubs
Round up
35 | Club and district news
Recognised
40 | Welcomed and honoured
4. 4 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
From the editor...
Editor Sarah van Heerden
Administration Sharon Robertson
Chairman Gerald Sieberhagen
Directors Greg Cryer
Peter Dupen
Andy Gray
David Jenvey
Richard Tolken
Publisher Rotary in Africa
Reg. No. 71/04840/08
(incorp.associationnotforgain)
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 rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Distribution Rotary Districts 9210, 9211,
9212, 9220, 9350, 9370
and9400 (SouthernandEastern
Africa)
Contact Rotary Africa
P.O. Box 563
Westville
3630
South Africa
Telephone 0027 (31) 267 1848
Fax 0027 (31) 267 1849
Email rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Website www.rotaryafrica.com
The Rotary Emblem, Rotary International, Rotary,
Rotary Club and Rotarian are trademarks of Rotary
International and are used under licence. The views
expressed herein are not necessarily those of Rotary
Africa, Rotary International or The Rotary Foundation.
Meet our team
magazine month
Sarah
This month is Magazine Month, a month which you can
celebrate by thinking of ways to use Rotary Africa to your
club’s advantage. As of next year, Magazine Month will be
replaced with Maternal and Child Health Month. However,
this does not mean that Rotarians should forget the value
of their regional magazines.
A regional magazine can be used to generate interest
in Rotary and your club’s projects, show potential donors
and project partners the reach and scope of Rotary and it
can also be a source of inspiration for a new project and
for attracting members.
With so many non-profit organisations competing for
corporate and community support, organisations often
find themselves having to prove their legitimacy, reach
and scope. They often need to answer the two important
questions, why should you support us and what do you
receive from supporting us? The latter question may seem
cold, but when we speak about corporate partnerships or
sponsorshipswemustrememberthattheyarebusinesses
and at the end of the day the bottom line matters.
A corporate is interested in how its sponsorship can
improve its public image and thereby its customer base. It
wantstoshowpeoplethatitdoescareaboutitscommunity
and would hope that this sentiment would inspire people
to support it in return. Your regional magazine is one
avenue through which you can prove you are legitimate
and provide media exposure. Coupled with your contacts
in other local, regional and national media you this can
provide potential corporate partners with an attractive
package with which to improve its public image. We may
be in the business of Service Above Self, but corporates
have to consider a return on investment.
Once a corporate is on board, it is also vital to maintain
the relationship you have nurtured with it. A gift Rotary
Africa print copy or digital subscription for your larger
corporate partners or sponsors is a great way to keep
them informed of their CSI investment, as well as the
many wonderful Rotary projects in southern and eastern
Africa. It could also generate additional support when, for
example, a CEO or CSI director sees an article and thinks,
“That could work for us!”
We welcome project news from all within the family
of Rotary and our Anns, Rotaractors, Interactors and
EarlyActors are encouraged to submit their club news.
Knowing how creative our Rotarians are, I am sure you
will come up with a few great ideas on how to celebrate
magazine month - why not share them with us?
Have a wonderful month,
Rotary Africa Magazine
5. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 5
regulars
Gary CK Huang
President, Rotary International
Message from the
RI President
On the Web
Speeches and news from RI President Gary CK Huang at www.rotary.org/president
Dear fellow Rotarians,
Today, there are so many more ways to
communicate than ever before. In the age of
videoconferencesandinstantmessages,wecan
work together from almost anywhere and always
be in touch. We can share our Rotary work on
Facebook, on Twitter and on Rotary.org. But
there will always be a tremendously important
role for the magazine that you are holding in
your hands – or reading on an electronic device
– right now.
The Rotarian is one of the oldest continuously
published magazines in the world, with an
unbroken publication history dating back to its
first issue, featuring Paul Harris as a contributor,
in 1911. Back then, the magazine was printed
in black and white and was only a few pages.
The type was small, the pictures were few and
the advertisements were for piano dealers,
haberdashers and a hotel fully equipped with hot
and cold running water!
Now, you can read The Rotarian on your phone
or tablet and regional magazines are published
in 24 languages. Seventeen Nobel Prize winners
and 19 Pulitzer Prize winners have written for the
magazine, including Mahatma Gandhi, Desmond
Tutu, George Bernard Shaw and Nicholas
Murray Butler. Every month, The Rotarian brings
us a snapshot of the best of the Rotary world: It
engages, entertains, enlightens and inspires.
In an age of constant communication, with so
many ways to find new information, do we still
need a Rotary magazine? Absolutely, because
the magazine is now, as it has always been, one
of the best ways to spread the word about Rotary.
It has allowed me to share the fun and excitement
of Rotary Days, it showcases the good work of
Rotarians around the world and it puts a spotlight
on important issues affecting us all. The Rotarian
isn’t just enjoyable for Rotarians – it’s a great
way to boost Rotary’s public image and show the
world the work that Rotarians do.
So when you’re done reading this issue, pass
it along. Ask yourself who might be particularly
interested in this month’s articles. Give the issue
to a friend, a co-worker or a colleague. Share
it with someone you’ve invited to a Rotary club
meeting. Visit www.therotarianmagazine.com
to share stories on social media, or send links
through email. Use it to Light Up Rotary – just as
Rotarians have been doing for 104 years.
6. 6 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
ROTARY
Members*: 1 220 115
Clubs*: 34 558
ROTARACT
Members: 174 984
Clubs: 7 608
INTERACT
Members:406 249
Clubs: 17 663
RCCs
Members: 188 301
Corps: 8 187
Rotary at a Glance
as of 29 December - *1 October 2014
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and
foster the ideal of service as a basis of
worthy enterprise and, in particular, to
encourage and foster:
First. The development of acquaintance
as an opportunity for service;
Second. High ethical standards in
business and professions; the recognition
of the worthiness of all useful occupations;
and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s
occupation as an opportunity to serve
society;
Third. The application of the ideal of
service in each Rotarian’s personal,
business, and community life;
Fourth. The advancement of international
understanding, goodwill, and peace
through a world fellowship of business
and professional persons united in the
ideal of service.
Of the things we think, say or do:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER
FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIALto all concerned?
Object of Rotary
The Four-Way Test
what you
should know
Your
views Foundation trustee
chair, John Kenny
When the new grant model for The Rotary
Foundation was introduced under the Future
Vision Plan, the Trustees decided it should
be reviewed in the 2015/16 Rotary year so
that your experiences could help make our
processes as effective as possible.
The Trustees recognise that grants involve
many participants who may have different
expectations, so I have appointed an independent
committee of four past RI presidents to ensure
that all views will be considered and to ensure
confidentiality to anyone who may want it.
The committee would like to hear about your
experiences with the areas of focus and district
and global grants and seek your ideas for any
improvements which could make our Rotary
Foundation the best possible.
It comprises myself and Past RI Presidents
Kalyan Banerjee, Ray Klinginsmith and Bill
Boyd, who will serve as chair. We welcome
your suggestions, which you can email to
futurevisionbillboyd@outlook.com.
We will read and analyse your ideas and meet
at the Rotary International Convention in São
Paulo, Brazil, to decide on any items that should
be given to the Trustees Programmes Committee.
The programme committee will undertake
the necessary surveys to ensure we are
reflecting the opinions of every Rotary member
and will report back to us at the January 2016
International Assembly. We intend to make our
recommendations at the April 2016 meeting of
the Trustees.
We seek your support to ensure that our
Rotary Foundation continues to do good in the
world in the best possible way.
7. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 7
Rotary
Resort
Badplaas
The one-week holiday
destination for Senior Citizens
• Enjoy your next holiday in a safe
environment with new friends from one
Sunday to the next.
• The famous hot water springs are only
500 metres away from us and we provide
transport to the Hydro Spa every morning.
• While you relax we spoil you with three
meals daily.
• You will love our new indoor heated
swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
• Your regular television programmes can be
viewed on DSTV.
• The elegantly furnished rooms, the scenery
and the mountains ensure an unforgettable
all inclusive break-away week.
• All the rooms are for two persons to share
so please bring a friend.
• The most affordable holiday in the country.
For Bookings or more information
Contact Engela at 017-844-1060 or email
hennie@rotaryresort.co.za
www.rotaryresort.co.za
Get to know the
neighbourhoods
Convention countdown
São Paulo, Brazil, is a bustling multicultural
metropolis of 20 million people. It’s home
to the largest Lebanese population outside
Lebanon and the largest Japanese population
outside Japan. The city’s biggest ethnic group
is Italian, numbering more than six million
people. While you’re in São Paulo for the 2015
Rotary convention, 6-9 June, get to know
some of the city’s diverse neighbourhoods:
Liberdade - Stop by the Museum of Japanese
Immigration to find out why São Paulo has such
a large Japanese population – then eat at one of
the many inviting sushi restaurants in the district.
Centro - The city’s geographic centre is where
you’ll find imposing skyscrapers and the landmark
Edifício Copan, an undulating tower designed
by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer (whose
grandmother was a German Brazilian, another of
the country’s largest ethnic groups).
Bela Vista - A former Italian settlement, this
area is home to some of the best theatres,
bakeries and restaurants in the city.
Vila Madalena and Pinheiros Samba -
Shop and snack in São Paulo’s two bohemian
neighbourhoods, home to myriad clubs and
performance spaces.
Bom Retiro - In the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, this area flourished as a garment
district populated by Jewish immigrants. Today
it’s home to a growing Korean population.
Brás Italians - Greeks and Armenians initially
made up most of this neighbourhood. Now many
Bolivian and Korean immigrants call it home.
Register for the 2015 RI Convention in São
Paulo by going to www.riconvention.org.
8. 8 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Go digital
Make the choice today
Benefits of
going digital
• Receive your copy
sooner
• You can access your
copy no matter where
you are in the world
• It’s environmentally
friendly
1. Go to www.rotaryafrica.com
2. Click the digital magazine subscription
link under the digital magazine tab
3. Complete the short form and press
send
A username and password is emailed to each digital subscriber. Club secretaries
must be informed. The half yearly subscription fee for printed and digital issues are
the same. For more see www.rotaryafrica.com
Subscribe in 3 easy steps
9. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 9
our foundation
By PDG Anne Botha - Regional Rotary Foundation Co-ordinator Zone 20A South
Doing good in the world
Your legacy will be written on lives - please
consider the Salvation Army
www.salvationarmy.org.za
Rotarian Dorothy-Anne Howitson, a member
of the Rotary Club of Kimberley South (D9370),
was awarded the International Service Award
for a Polio-Free World for 2014/15
It is an honour for the zone, the district and
especially for the Rotary Club of Kimberley South
to have a Rotarian in their midst who is worthy of
the International Service Award for a Polio-Free
world.
Service towards achieving a polio-free world
from any Rotarian is always noteworthy, but it’s
surely all the more so when that service is from
a highly committed person who is a quadriplegic
due to polio.
A very young Dorothy-Anne contracted polio
before immunisation became available. Her
mobility and general health may have been
impaired, but not her indomitable spirit. She has
actively served the disabled and is committed to
seeing polio eradicated.
Even before becoming a Rotarian, Dorothy-
Anne assisted with Rotary Family Health Days
by collating results on her computer and working
long hours to do so. She also assisted the district
polio committee with the writing of its newsletters.
Significantly, she was inducted as a member
of the Rotary Club of Kimberley South on World
Polio Day 2014.
This award was established by the Trustees of
The Rotary Foundation to recognise outstanding
contributions by Rotarians and to encourage
final efforts of polio eradication. Active personal
service is required by a prospective recipient of
the award and personal financial contributions,
however noteworthy, are not a basis for the
award.
There are two levels of this award. The regional
award recognises outstanding service primarily
within a World Health Organisation (WHO) region
and the international award recognises broad
service to the cause of polio eradication. The
award is limited to a maximum of 10 recipients
a year.
international service award
10. 10 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Billed as the biggest project of its kind in South
Africa, the Rotary Club of Claremont’s Injongo
Educare project is preparing thousands of tots
to excel academically.
For the
little ones
11. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 11
The Injongo Educare project is an early
childhood development (ECD) programme
and a flagship project of the Rotary Club
of Claremont (D9350). The project strives
to meet the needs of the underprivileged
children, aged from birth to six years, at 47
ECD centres in Philippi, Cape Town.
It also presents businesses with a tangible
opportunity to help thousands of children by
becoming involved. By doing so, businesses
partner in a programme which allows government,
private enterprise and civil society to unite to
tackle one of the greatest challenges society has
ever faced.
Only 70 percent of children in South Africa are
involved in formal early childhood development
(ECD) programmes and only 10 percent of the
ECD centres are registered for social subsidy
assistance from government, meet or exceed
minimum standards and are financially secure.
In terms of the Children’s Act, government is
not mandated to provide ECD services, which are
classified as ‘partial care’ services. This means
that non-profit organisations are responsible for
the provision of the bulk of ECD services and
therefore the need to find donors to make up for
the government shortfall is enormous.
For the Rotary Club of Claremont, engaging
in a long-term ECD project made sense as it
addresses a massive need which government
resources do not provide for. Investing in ECD
helps at-risk children achieve greater school
readiness, social responsibility and general
socio-economic success.
The club began the project with an initial
five year involvement with 47 ECDs in Philippi
West. These ECDs were chosen because they
were sustainable beyond the club’s investment.
The massive project will not only aid the young school children, but will also provide training and
development for school staff, governing bodies, caregivers and parents.
“Each year, more than 3 000
children receive a range of
services which they would not
have had access to. Support
for the Injongo project
changes lives.”
- Pumeza Mahobe, project manager
projects
12. 12 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Other contributing factors were that the ECDs
were professionally monitored and evaluated
and achieved the outcomes of creating change in
health, security, stimulation and education.
The project aims to enable ECD centres
to achieve and maintain registrations for
government subsidies by bringing about changes
which create strong, functioning ECDs through
infrastructure upgrades, health and safety
improvements. It will also train staff, school
governing bodies, caregivers and parents in
programmed assistance.
To achieve these goals, the project has six
strategies. The first will upgrade the infrastructure
and equipment, provide training and ensure
compliant catering standards, practices and
education programmes are reached.
Engagement and communication is the
second strategy. This will address public
relations, branding, research and information
dissemination.
The third strategy is income generation.
Here, attention will be given to the establishment
of multiple funding streams for sustainability.
The fourth strategy is resource management
which will address human resources systems to
maintain project continuity.
The fifth strategy is risk management and the
sixth is knowledge management and monitoring,
evaluation and reporting integration into on-going
planning.
To date, great progress has been made.
Pumeza Mahobe is a specialist who was hired by
the Claremont club to manage the Injongo project
and coordinate the relationship between the club
The before and after photos of Nontsebenziswano Educare Centre.
“If we listen closely, we will hear children asking for
the opportunity to be just children - for the chance to
play and the chance to learn.”
- Pumeza Mahobe, project manager
13. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 13
20.030. Subscription to Magazines.
20.030.1. Required Subscription.
Each member of a club not located in the United
States or Canada and each member of an e-club
shall become a paid subscriber to the official
magazine of RI or to a Rotary magazine* approved
and prescribed for that club by the board. Two
Rotarians residing at the same address have the
option to subscribe jointly to the official magazine.
The members shall maintain such subscriptions for
the duration of their membership.** Each member
shall have the option to choose to receive either a
printed copy by mail or an electronic copy via the
internet where available.***
*The Rotary magazine approved for Africa is
Rotary Africa.
** Such subscription shall be collected by the club
from its members and forwarded to Rotary Africa
on behalf of the member.
*** Rotary Africa provides an electronic copy
and should a member prefer to subscribe to the
electronic version they may do so by accessing
the Rotary Africa website – www.rotaryafrica.com
and completing the request for a digital version.
Rotary Africa half-yearly subscription:
1st January 2015 - R125 per member.
1st July 2015 - R135 per member.
Rotary Africa subscriptions are billed to the club
in January and July and are due within 30 days.
The invoicing is calculated on the total number of
members on the mailing list.
What do Rotary Club secretaries need to do?
• Send an updated members’ list to Rotary
Africa in January and July.
• Register new members with Rotary Africa
when they join Rotary.
• Advise Rotary Africa of any changes in
membership such as: Resignations, address
updates, deceased members as they occur.
What do Assistant Governors need to do on behalf of
the District Governor?
• Ensure that Clubs adhere to the above
requirements.
rotary africarotary africa
Subscription
guidelines
2013 Manual of Procedure:
RI Bylaws - Articles 20
and other stakeholders involved in it.
A physical needs assessment of the centres was
conducted and involved an audit of physical status.
Shortcomings identified by the assessment were dealt with.
Equipment, fridges, deep freezers, gas cooking stoves,
electrical cooking stoves, microwaves, washing machines,
urns, mattresses, blankets, fire extinguishers and first-aid
kits were distributed to all 47 centres. Six educare centres
also received new roofs.
A physical upgrade of Sakhingomso Educare Centre was
undertaken as an initial pilot of the project in September
2012. Corporate funding to the value of R3.6 million from
Lewis Group Ltd, was secured for structural upgrades of
Albertina Sisulu, Monwood and Nontsebenziswano Educare
Centres in October 2013. A memorandum of understanding
with the Philippi West ECD Forum was also accepted and
implemented.
A baseline survey to establish the capacity of each
centre in terms of governance, administration and human
resources, education programmes and registration with
government entities was conducted. It also established the
centres’ compliance with fire, health and safety standards.
In addition, the project has trained 47 educators in the
basics of ECD, 22 Grade R educators in maths and science,
10 educators in toddler and baby care. Seven educators
have earned their NQF level four and five.
Pumeza Mahobe, the project manager, facilitating a
parents’ workshop.
14. 14 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
The Rotary Club of Pretoria East (D9400)
has embarked on introducing Step-by-Step,
an early childhood development education
programme, into crèches and pre-schools.
Step-by-Step is aimed at uplifting levels of
teaching and learning and was designed
by educational missionaries Dave and Judi
Carnegie in the early 1980s.
The demand for a pre-school curriculum and
learning programme has increased significantly
since then. Step-by-Step is successfully used
in crèches and pre-schools in many African
countries, including South Africa, Botswana,
Mozambique, Ghana, Tanzania, Swaziland,
Zimbabwe and Namibia.
It consists of a full year’s teaching programme
designed for children in the four to five year old
age group. It contains lesson plans, activities,
stories, sing-a-long rhymes and songs and is a
complete teaching toolkit for teachers. There are
14 themes, each of which runs for a three week
period.
The lesson plans and activities are contained
in a series of books - one book per theme. The
timetable and lesson plans were designed to
help educators provide a stimulating learning
environment and to introduce letters, numbers,
shapes and colours in a fun manner.
There are many crèches and pre-schools
around South Africa where the main challenge for
educators is to find stimulating learning activities
to keep the children busy during the school day.
Step-by-Step is the perfect solution as anybody
can pick up a teaching booklet and have all they
need at their fingertips.
The Rotary Club of Pretoria East will identify
crèches, assist in obtaining funds to purchase
the learning programme and train and assist
educators in implementing and using it.
Step-by-Step and the SOUNS programme will
work hand-in-hand and the club aims to equip as
many educators as possible with Step-by-Step
and SOUNS in order to uplift the level of learning
and teaching in crèches.
Tracy Riggien of the Rotary Club of Pretoria East will identify crèches and assist in obtaining funds
to purchase the Step-by-Step learning programme. She will also train and assist the teachers who
are involved in the programme.
new teaching toolkit
15. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 15
When Professor Mike Shires retired, he and
his wife, Sandy, returned to his native South
Africa and settled in Knysna, after spending
35 years in the USA. He joined the Rotary Club
of Knysna (D9350) and used his connection
with his former club, the Rotary Club of
Knoxville (D6780, USA), to assist with projects
in Knysna.
In 2005, he approached Knoxville’s PP Townes
Osborn and arranged for a Matching Grant to fund
a literacy project driven by the Knysna Education
Trust (KET). A mother-tongue reading book was
donated to every child at a KET-affiliated pre-
school and a workshop was held for caregivers
to assist in introducing their children to reading.
A year later this was followed by a visit from
Knoxville Rotarians and Interactors who gave the
Knysna Aids Council a donation to help purchase
a motor vehicle.
Another Matching Grant was used in 2008
to fund two projects to assist impoverished
children and youth in Knysna. MAD About Art,
an organisation which addresses HIV/AIDS
issues and provides an after school retreat for
neglected and abused children, urgently needed
a toilet block. PDG Frank Rothermell of Knoxville
had previously visited the Knysna club and was
impressed by the Knysna Secondary School
Interactors when they told him they planned
to paint a classroom. Paint was provided and
educators, parents and learners painted 42
classrooms. The final result was checked by
Rotarians. The Interactors received the District
Interact Club of the Year award for this project
and a donation of R3 000 for their club.
The clubs’ grant partnership also resulted in
Grade R classrooms at seven schools receiving
teaching aids, equipment and furniture in 2009.
In 2011, the Rheenendal pre-school ablution
facilities were completed. In addition, the Grade
R classes received jungle gyms, climbing boxes,
library shelves, carpets, mother-tongue library
books, musical instruments, educational aids,
SOUNS kits and other equipment.
A recent project which the two clubs undertook
was the Kids in Traffic project. Knoxville donated
approximately R60 000 to establish the project
which was an initiative of the Directorate of Road
Safety and aimed to teach Knysna’s pre-school
children road safety. The portable setup included
a road layout, traffic lights and small bicycles.
The easily transported equipment is housed in
safety first
A partnership between two clubs, which has spanned a
decade, has helped many children in the Knysna area.
The Kids in Traffic project teaches road safety by using
portable equipment and introducing an element of fun.
16. 16 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
a trailer and is enthusiastically managed by the
Director of Service Projects, Andy Muir, with input
from Koos van Eeden.
Finally, Knysna’s first District Grant was
received from Knoxville. The proceeds were
shared between the Knysna Education Trust Food
Bank for Wonderland Educare in Rheenendal and
was used to provide a daily meal for the learners
and the Gogo project. The grandmothers care for
AIDS orphans who live near them and ensure
they are fed, attend school, do their homework
and are kept off the streets. With the proceeds
of the grant, it was possible to purchase school
uniforms for 71 orphans for the 2015 school year.
Each year since 2007, Knoxville’s Townes
Osborn has personally made a contribution of
US$1 000 for the Safe Cycling project which
was used to purchase 10 bicycles for needy
Grade 1 learners. These are used to compete in
the children’s race in the annual Knysna Oyster
Festival cycle race. After the race, the children
are allowed to keep their bicycles.
It was fitting that the first Knoxville driver of
the partnership, PP Townes Osborn, should visit
Knysna in February 2015 after so many years of
cooperation. Interestingly, Townes was the first
woman president of the Knoxville club which
will celebrate its centenary in August this year.
Townes was accompanied by PE Sandy Martin
and her spouse, David, Bob Marquis, Allen
Pannell and Whitney and Channing Ray-Dawson.
They were home hosted and enjoyed a strenuous
but fulfilling programme which included visits to
club projects and sight seeing.
PP Lesley Satchel took the visitors to
Rheenendal where the bicycle recipients
thanked Townes for the bikes. They also visited
Wonderland Pre-School where the club pays for
school lunches and Lovelife to meet four of the
gogos and about 50 children.
The next morning saw the launch of Kids in
Traffic at Judah Square. Thereafter they went
to Sinethemba Skills Centre which has been
supported for many years by the Knysna club. In
the afternoon they met members and coaches of
the Knysna Sports School Trust which is a co-
sponsor of the Kids in Traffic project and the Safe
Cycling initiative.
Thursday evening was the social highlight of
the visit when Knysna Rotarians hosted a braai for
their guests at the Knysna Yacht Club. During the
event, gifts were exchanged and Townes Osborn
presented Paul Harris Sapphire Pins to Past
Presidents Joan Huskisson and Lesley Satchel.
Townes Osborn, Ian Huskisson, Sandy Martin and Anrew Muir with children who participated in the
Kids in Traffic programme.
17. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 17
Clean water for
Hluhluwe
The Rotary SafeWater project, a partnership
between the Rotary Club of Sea Point
(D9350), Aqua4Life and Relate, gave water
filters to three clinics and 16 schools
in Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Thanks to this project, more than 100 000
patients who are treated at the clinics each
year and more than 10 000 school children
will now have clean and safe water.
The Rotary SafeWater project was devised
by the Sea Point club. Funds were raised
through the sale of Rotary SafeWater bracelets
which were made by the non-profit trust Relate.
Each bracelet is sold for R35, of which R8.50
is channelled to the SafeWater project. Relate
is an effective partner with a global marketing
reach.
The funding for the project was raised when
18. 18 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Marriott Hotels bought 5 000 bracelets. Not only
did this generate R42 500, but information about
the project went to every Marriott Hotel in the
world. Subsequently, the club received excellent
support from Protea Hotels in Southern Africa,
which was recently purchased by Marriott Hotels.
Through the promotion of SafeWater, the
general manager of Protea Hotel Hluhluwe,
Daniel Tharatt, bought bracelets to support the
project. Daniel, who is like a godfather to the
local community, was deeply concerned about
the health of people living in the area. Impressed
by what he read about SafeWater, he asked the
Rotary Club of Sea Point for help.
The club decided to donate LifeStraw units to
the 16 schools and three clinics. Daniel shared
his enthusiasm with the mayor, municipality and
community leaders. A non-profit organisation
which has been working with schools in
Hluhluwe, Star for Life, was also keen to get
involved. Sea Point also contacted the Rotary
Club of Empangeni (D9370), which is not far from
Hluhluwe, and its members readily helped with
the installation at one of the clinics.
Hluhluwe lies between Hluhluwe-iMfolosi
Game Reserve and the magnificent Lake St
Lucia. However, the tourist hub has very poor
access to potable water. There is limited supply
infrastructure and water is often trucked in on a
daily basis. It is pumped into central reservoirs
and residents collect it in buckets for home use.
Many homes also store rainwater in large tanks
which are often empty at the beginning of summer.
As water is often contaminated, diarrhoea is rife
particularly in summer.
In many households, poverty and no access
to electricity causes people to chop down trees
for firewood to boil water. Thanks to the LifeStraw
unit, water no longer needs to be boiled and
this will dramatically reduce environmental
degradation. With less time being spent fetching
water and firewood, children will be able to spend
more time studying. Therefore, this project does
not only improve the health of the community, but
also impacts on environment and education.
Nico Germishuizen, the CEO of Aqua4Life,
is the distributor of LifeStraw filters in Southern
Africa. He plays an integral part in planning and
delivering filters to the communities in need.
Before any installation can take place, buy in from
community leadership is essential.
The LifeStraw filter technology was invented by
the Swiss-based company Vestergaard-Frandsen
in 2005 and the equipment has been deployed
in almost every major natural disaster since
then. Although originally designed for assisting
in disaster areas, filters are being provided to
under-resourced communities all over the world.
Excited school girls at Phum Lani Sivananda Primary School with the new LifeStraw unit.
19. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 19
Microfiber technology filters all known germs and
parasites from water, making it safe to drink.
Nurses in the Mduku clinic were particularly
impressed by the filters. Sister Gumede, the chief
nurse explained that safe water at the clinic is
vital. “We send our mothers home with powdered
antibiotics for the children. We cannot use our
clinic water because it is not clean enough. So
we tell the mothers to boil water, let the water cool
and make the correct mixture. We are always
worried that our instructions are not carried out.
Now that we can use the LifeStraw, we can make
the mixtures in the clinic and be sure the children
get the right medicines.”
The Mduku clinic sees more than 5 000
patients a month and the community LifeStraw
unit will have a great impact. The direct impact
on community health is admittedly limited. School
children and patients will have clean and safe
drinking water at the respective schools and
clinics, but contaminated water will still be used
in their homes and elsewhere. However, the
introduction of LifeStraws has had a mobilising
impact on the community.
The need for safe drinking water has now
been made apparent and there are plans to
install LifeStraw units throughout the Hluhluwe
community.
The club hopes the project will create a model
which can be repeated in other communities in
Southern Africa.
The key players and collaborators of the
project, President Tony Davidson (Sea Point),
President Christo van Heerden (Empangeni),
Daniel Tharatt (Protea Hotel Hluhluwe) and
project sponsor, Nico Germishuizen, the CEO of
Aqua4Life and supplier of LifeStraw units.
Funding for more units for people in
Hluhluwe is required. The cost to provide
family LifeStraw units to 5 000 homes will
be approximately R2.25m. There are more
clinics and schools which need units.
Relate bracelets can be purchased from
www.shop.relate.org.za/product/rotary-safe-
water-project-stack or donations towards
the project can be made via direct deposit
into the Rotary Club of Sea Point Benevolent
Account. Standard Bank, Sea Point Branch.
Branch code: 024109. Account number:
07-109-4938. Swift code: SBZA ZA JJ.
Rotarians, staff of Protea Hotel Hluhluwe and the clinic celebrate the successful installation at
Makhowe Clinic.
How you can help
20. 20 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Aproject to develop a sustainable food garden at a local
primary school was undertaken by the members of the
Rotary Club of Phoenix (D9370). It was the brainchild of
Dino Sukdeo, who is passionate about gardening and
preserving the environment.
In a matter of months, Dino and his team managed
to transform an uncultivated and neglected piece of land
into a structured, productive vegetable and flower garden.
The club worked tirelessly to find sponsorships for seeds,
seedlings, poles, mesh and other requirements. The team
worked in the intense heat and sometimes torrential rain to
bring the project to fruition.
The hard work paid off and a greenhouse type structure
was built of poles and covered with mesh. The seeds and
seedlings were planted in tyres for improved sustainability.
The garden was officially presented to the principal and the
school’s environmental club at a well-organised and heart-
warming ceremony at Rustic Manor Primary School.
Dr Zungu, the director of agriculture and a practising
agriculturist, was the guest of honour and gave a gift of
seedlings to the garden. President Imantha Arumugam cut
the ribbon at the entrance to the garden and declared it
open. The garden will now be maintained, developed and
managed by the staff, learners and community of Rustic
Manor Primary.
One of the highlights of the function was a march
performed by the environmental club members which was
led by a very glamorous scarecrow created for the school
garden.
A garden to provide food for the children of Rustic Manor Primary School and its community was
established by the Rotary Club of Phoenix. Below: President Imantha Arumugam officially opens
the food garden.
Food for everyone
21. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 21
As many as 200 Grade 12 learners from
Maryvale College, McAuley House School and
Holy Family College joined the Rotary Club of
Rosebank (D9400) for a careers morning at
Holy Family College.
Learners were able to visit a number of stands
where practitioners showcased a broad spectrum
ofcareers.Fouruniversitieswerealsorepresented
and the learners had the opportunity to enquire
about courses and entrance requirements.
“We were delighted with the response,” said
Rosebank President John Symons. “We not
only had wonderful feedback from the learners
who attended, but we also received a lot of
encouragement from the participating universities
and the professional organisations. They hope
we will run it again next year.”
Symons said the committee who organised
the event already had ideas on how to improve
the event. Dr Mark Potterton, principal of Holy
Family College, said he was delighted with the
morning and his learners had benefited from the
experience.
“Grade 12s need as much input as possible
when it comes to career choices. The opportunity
they had to meet and question people who are
working in areas such as fashion and retail,
careers which many of our girls aspire to, was
invaluable.”
David Bradshaw mans the travel and tourism
stand with Dr Neville Howes.
The Rosebank Vocational Services committee, Peter James-Smith, Jane Lagaay, Dr Neville
Howes, Lyn Collocott, Marion Laserson and Jerry Bernardo, organised the careers morning.
Presenting options
22. 22 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Many children living in poverty never get to
enjoy the freedom of childhood and the joy of
playing until their hearts’ content. The Rotary
Club of Sea Point (D9350) and Peninsula
Beverages treated 55 excited children from
Ilitha Family Learning Educare in Khayelitsha
to a day at the Rotary Blue Train Park in Sea
Point.
The day began with a chorus of beautiful songs
from the children, aged two to five years, as they
stepped off the bus and into the park. When they
saw the jumping castles, swings and mini train
their excitement levels reached near hysteria as
they sprinted to the play areas and spent almost
four glorious hours playing and having fun. During
the festivities, they were served a delicious lunch
which included fruit and also Bonaqua water
sponsored by PenBev.
PenBev’s corporate communications manager,
Denise Behrens, said the company had worked
with Gavin and his team at the Rotary Club of
Sea Point on the Blue Train experience for a
number of years and supported many outreach
programmes for disadvantaged children. “We are
pleased to be in a position where we are able to
help with these initiatives.”
Fifty-five enthusiastic learners from Ilitha Family Learning Educare in Khayelitsha were treated to a
day out at the Rotary Blue Train Park in Sea Point.
A great train day
23. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 23
The Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea (D9370)
welcomed a Rotary Friendship Exchange
group from Istanbul (D2420, Turkey). Last
year, the Kenton on Sea Rotarians were
hosted by Turkish Rotarians from some of
the over 70 clubs in Istanbul. Three members
of the Rotary Club of Port Alfred assisted
with hosting which started with a dinner to
welcome the visitors. From that moment, the
eight Turkish guests were blown away by the
warmth of the fellowship extended to them.
Arranged by PP Bruce Steele-Gray and fine-
tuned by PP Colin Armstrong and PP Dave
Hawkins (from PortAlfred), the visitors were taken
to projects which care for disabled children and
a soup kitchen where they were able to interact
with the children and distribute treats of turkish
delight. They also visited a sustainable vegetable
gardening project and a clinic before heading off
to a lunch meeting hosted by the Rotary Clubs of
Grahamstown and Grahamstown Sunset.
The weather played along and a beach party
and supper concluded a wonderful day. The
guests were allowed to sleep late the next day
before being taken to Kariega Game Reserve
where they saw the big five.
A highlight for the guests was meeting the
famous rhino, Thandi, and her brand new calf,
Thembi. They made a very generous donation
to Rotarian Jo Wilmot for the Chipembere Rhino
Foundation in memory of her father Rotarian
Keith Wilmot.
The group’s departure from Port Elizabeth
airport was a rather damp occasion with lots of
hankies and tissues being pulled out.
Their next port of call was Cape Town where
the Rotary Club of Newlands (D9350) looked
after them.
friends from abroad
Clubs in Districts 9370 and 9350 hosted a Rotary Friendship Exchange group from Istanbul,
Turkey. The visitors enjoyed project visits and did some sight seeing.
24. 24 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Alex Hart, a member of the Rotary Club
of La Mesa Sunrise (District 5340, USA)
and her husband, Mark Wheeler, who is
also a Rotarian, visited the Rotary Club of
Borrowdale Brooke (D9210). The couple were
in Zimbabwe to work on a project in a village
called Rundongo near Rusape.
The Borrowdale Brooke club plans to work
with Mark and Alex to distribute water filters which
will give people potable water in rural and urban
areas in Zimbabwe.
Mark is an associate professor of philosophy at
San Diego State University (SDSU) and president
of the non-profit organisation, Compassion for
African Villages (CAV), which aims to build
schools and develop educational resources in
Zimbabwe.
CAV was founded by Tsitsidzashe Mutseta in
2006. She had been trafficked from Zimbabwe
to San Diego and after escaping, she pursued
a degree in nursing at SDSU before being
diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She
passed away last October. Tsitsidzashe inspired a
group of people to continue the work she started.
Mark had also contacted Dr Tererai Trent
and hopes to be able to work with her on similar
projects in Zimbabwe.
Alex is involved with Mustard Seed Africa
and together with Gail Mawocha, the founder of
Mustard Seed Africa, will provide economic and
social empowerment initiatives for women at
grass roots level.
Her main focus is to assist local women in
product design, development, branding, finding
markets for handcrafts and gaining international
exposure. She is also working on a project called
Rural to Ramp which showcases locally produced
handicrafts to a wider audience.
Share your club news
Send stories, of no more than 650 words, and photographs,
at least 1mg in size, to rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Captions for group photographs with six people or less, must
include the first and last names of everyone in the picture.
Alex Hart and PP Marek Dergiman exchange club banners.
project in pipeline
25. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 25
The annual CANSA Shavathon is a favourite event in which
South Africans show their support for those affected by
cancer. During the national event, people shave their
heads as a symbolic gesture of support for cancer patients
who lose their hair as a result of treatment.
The not so brave can chose to spray colour into their hair or
pay a bail out fee instead of facing the razor.
The 12th annual staging of this event at the Knysna Mall
was managed and executed by volunteers from the Rotary
Club of Knysna (D9350). The Rotarians were assisted by other
volunteers as they registered supporters and shaved, cut and
sprayed the hair of the more than 150 people who supported
the event which raised R9 000.
Clockwise from top: Sue Fairweather, Ina Thompson, Heather Thomas and Eleanor Pawson
cheerfully shaved, cut and sprayed shoppers’ hair at Knysna Mall. All the way from Scotland,
Rotarians Iain and Mary McDougall show off their new rainbow colours. Ses Hartshorne with one
of her happy customers. Noel Smith and his newly purpled beard. Heather Thomas shears fellow
club member Peter Klews.
Bright or bald?
26. 26 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
More than R23 400 was raised at a fashion
and cocktail show jointly organised by the
Rotary Club of Borrowdale Brooke (D9210)
and Pathways Autism Trust. It was held at
Brooke Manor Lodge, the residence of PP Ann
Hamilton-King who gave the use of the venue
and donated US$1 000.
Attended by some 200 friends and neighbours,
the acres of green lawn and country manor
setting created a wonderful atmosphere. Special
cocktails were created for the event and snacks
were provided.
The money was raised to assist Pathways
Trust, which was founded by Flora and Godfrey
Chinhaire and a number of other parents whose
children suffer from autism. Their dream is to
establish a centre of excellence for autism in
Zimbabwe as there is little assistance for parents
and children who suffer from the condition.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism
are both general terms for a group of complex
disorders of brain development.
These disorders are characterised by
difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-
verbal communication and repetitive behaviours
and often places great strain on parents.
A number of local fashion designers
showcased their creations on attractive models
and the extremely entertaining Tondarai Katsande
(TK) from ZFM was the master of ceremonies. A
number of items were also auctioned, including a
bicycle and two of the designer dresses.
Get it done early!
Send your club details for inclusion in the Which Club Meets
Today directory to: rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Fashionably fun
27. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 27
Company Notice
Rotary in Africa
Reg. No.1971/004840/07
Notice to Members*
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Rotary in Africa
will be held at the company offices situated at 2 Prische House, 14 Church Road,
Westville 3630, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
On Friday 15 May 2015, at 09h00.
AGENDA.
1. Meeting formalities.
2. Confirmation of the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on
Thursday 23rd
May 2014.
3. Chairman’s report.
4. Editor’s report.
5. Treasurer’s report and submission of the annual financial accounts for the
period ending 31st
December 2014.
6. Appointment of auditors.
7. Election of up to 3 directors to serve on the Board.
In terms of the company’s Articles of Association the following directors are
due to retire from the Board, PDG Gerald Sieberhagen, PDG Richard Tolken
and PDG Peter Dupen.
Being eligible, PDG Gerald Sieberhagen will be available for election together
with any other nominations received by close of business 8 May 2014.
8. To consider or transact any other business pertinent to an Annual General
Meeting.
*All current, immediate incoming and past Governors of Rotary Districts 9200, 9210, 9211, 9212, 9220, 9250, 9270,
9300, 9320, 9350, 9370 and 9400 are ex officio members of Rotary in Africa.
A member may appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf, provided such appointment is advised to the
Secretary at the offices of the company at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Peter Dupen. Secretary.
Promoting Rotary and your club?
Contact Sharon to buy back-issues of Rotary Africa, at a reduced rate,
for your project promotions. Email: rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
28. 28 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
The Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch
(D9350) celebrated Rotary’s 110th
anniversary by packing 110 comfort
packs which were delivered to
Carehaven, a Salvation Army home
for abused women and children.
Among the packers were Paul Faure,
Richard Browne, Laura Bekker,
Ruth Browne, Bob Harvey, Christine
Harvey and Dai Davies.
The Rotary Club of Paarl (D9350) celebrated the 110th
anniversary of Rotary International by donating 110
reading books to needy schools. There was also a birthday
cake with 110 candles to celebrate the occasion. At the
celebration are Gus Molenaar, Selwyn Sterling, President
Deon Erasmus, Kaufie Kaufman, Dave Overturf, Rob Koch,
Gerald Truter and Steyn Pienaar.
Rotarians from the Rotary Club of
Newlands (D9350) celebrated 110
years of Rotary by giving 110 new
books to Rosmead Central Primary
School. At the school are Corinne
Hudson and Brian Pickup.
To commemorate Rotary International’s 110th anniversary, the Rotary Club of Chatsworth (D9370)
visited the Durban Children’s Home which is a haven for homeless, orphaned and abused children.
Toys were given to each of the children before President Ansuyah Moodley cut the birthday cake
and the party started. Other treats and food hampers were also taken to the home.
Happy 110th Rotary!Happy 110th Rotary!
29. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 29
To celebrate Rotary International’s 110th anniversary, the
Rotary Club of De Aar (D9370) drank a toast to RI. Gerhard
Engelbrecht had a special cake made to celebrate the
occasion. At the celebration are Maureen Malherbe, Louise
van Wyk, Doreen and Gerhard Engelbrecht, (front) President
Rina Edwards, Carol Smith and Charlotte Klopper.
To celebrate 110 years of Service
Above Self, the Rotary Club of
Cape of Good Hope (D9350)
had a four way anniversary
celebration. The Rotarians
kicked off their celebrations
by singing happy birthday
and blowing out 110 candles
on the Light Up Rotary cake.
This was followed by President
Bev Frieslich presenting a
donation of 110 Rotary Birthday
calendars to the Interact Club
of Simonstown High Patriots.
The Interactors will sell these
calendars to raise funds for
their projects. Next up was an
evening with representatives of
the eight organisations which
benefited from funds raised at
the club’s dragon boat regatta.
At the event, the representatives
each received a cheque for their
organisations and shared how
their organisations assist people
with disabilities. The club also
celebrated 30 years of support
for PolioPlus.
The Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth Sunrise (D9370) celebrated
110 years of Rotary International by donating 1.10 tons of
rice to Love Story, an organisation which feeds as many
as 300 homeless people five nights a week from 15 soup
kitchens across the city. At the handover are Willie and Anita
Boucher and Mzwandile Busakwe from Love Story with (front)
President Mike Zoetmulder and David Counihan.
celebrate
30. 30 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
By Jean Whaley
Friendship is a cornerstone of Rotary and
there is no a better way to experience it
than through the Rotary International Youth
Exchange Programme.
The programme helps young people from
around the world to become better citizens as
ambassadors of the spirit and principles of Rotary
International.
The Rotary Club of Bulawayo South (D9210)
hosted Vinicius Lima Oliveira from Brazil, who did
all he could to capitalise on the cultural exchange
experience. Vinicius who, was on exchange in
Zimbabwe from April 2014 to February 2015,
shares his experience.
Where are you from?
Brazil, Centre East and I was sponsored by the
Rotary Club of Sinop-Taruma (D4440).
How did you hear about the programme?
My father is a Rotarian and I was an Interactor. I
have always enjoyed being involved with Rotary
programmes.
Exchange students Vinicius Lima Oliveira (Brazil) and Mathias Blazek (Austria) were hosted by the
Rotary Club of Bulawayo South.
goodbye zimbabwe
31. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 31
Youth
How was the selection process in Brazil?
It is a very good selection process with tests and
interviews. I was assisted by my father’s know-how
and my club negotiated a special exchange for me,
so that I could avoid missing two school years.
What made you choose Zimbabwe?
My district looked for a new partner for my special
case. I chose Zimbabwe because of the completely
different culture and because I wanted to improve my
English. I also wanted to be as far away from home
as possible, as nearby countries will be easy for me
to visit in the future.
You have missed a year of schooling in Brazil.
Has this exchange been worth that for you?
For sure. Brazilians finish school at 17 and often
have a gap year until they decide on a career path.
This has been my gap year.
What have you gained from the experience?
I have gained independence. After seeing how little
some people in Zimbabwe have, I have learned to
appreciate all that I have. I have improved my English
and have learned to respect different cultures and
people.
Did you gain anything worthwhile from attending
school in Zimbabwe?
I made many friends, improved my spoken and
written English and had great fun, especially at
soccer practices.
What have you enjoyed most?
Getting to know my host families, making new
friends, including Rotarians, and seeing and learning
about wild animals.
What benefit do you think Rotary gains from
the programme?
Rotary is creating a new generation of teenagers,
changing their lives, making them independent
and teaching them about Rotary ideals.
What are you going to miss about Zimbabwe
when you go home?
The friendly people.
What are you going to do back in Brazil?
When I get home, I plan to recommend that my
Rotary club and district participate in more projects
in Zimbabwe.
How much luggage are you taking home?
Twice as much as I came with.
Are you going to keep in touch with your
Zimbabwean families and friends?
Of course, especially if they have WhatsApp!
Will you ever come back?
Yes, I want to come back as soon as my studies
allow.
What different foods did you eat here?
Sadza (a staple dish made with ground maize),
kapenta and amacimbi (Mopani worms). They were
delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed all the traditional
foods I tried.
Who will win the soccer world cup in 2018?
Brazil, I hope.
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32. 32 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Casey Davis, the president of the Interact
Club of Montessori Schools (D9350) in
Knysna, reported that her club completed
18 projects during the last half of 2014. Its
biggest projects were Maranatha Play School
and visits to Loeriehoff Old Age Home.
The Interactors provided Maranatha with a
sound system, clothing, puzzles, reading books
and games. They also ran a reading programme
and sang and danced with the children. The club
will continue to work with the play school but will
also try to establish more relationships with other
organisations.
Future plans include planting fruit trees in the
greater Knysna area and educating people about
recycling. As a wise person once said, “it is better
to light a single candle than to curse in the dark.”
Other projects included a graveyard clean
up, a cupcake sale to support breast cancer
initiatives, a clean-up of the school costume
room, a fundraising ice bucket challenge, the
Feet for Fun charity walk, Casual Day, as well as
selling tickets and marshalling for the Loeriehoff
fun walk and a tin can drive to collect food for
hungry children.
The club also did hair, make up and front of
house for a play at the school and made Interact,
rape and ocean pollution awareness posters.
Busy, busy Interactors
A further accomplishment for the Interactors was receiving a Rotary International Presidential
Citation for 2013/14. Receiving the citation from President PDG John Satchel are President Casey
Davis and Past President Tamarisk Glogauer.
Share your youth news
Send stories, of no more than 650 words, and photographs,
at least 1mg in size, to rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Captions for group photographs with six people or less, must
include the first and last names of everyone in the picture.
33. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 33
Each year, the six Interact clubs in Grahamstown (D9370) undertake a joint project. The latest
project saw the Interactors make 62 Spring Shoe Boxes for the residents of the town’s two old age
homes.
It was a momentous occasion when the Interact Club
of Knysna High School and the Rotary Club of Knysna
(D9350) received special youth awards from the District
Youth Committee. Knysna High received an award for
outstanding collaboration with other Interact clubs. The
contribution of the school’s Interact facilitator, Ineke
Small, was recognised with the award for managing a
significant number of projects. President John Satchel
received the Changemaker award for the Rotary club
which best supports its Interact clubs. Michaela Mullins,
President John Satchel, PP Ina Thompson and Ineke
Small with the certificates.
The Interact Club of Setshabelo
reported back to the Rotary Club of
Bedfordview (D9400) on the progress
of its projects. The Rotarians were
inspired to see what the young
people had achieved and contributed
to the lives of the less fortunate in
the community. With the group are
President-Elect Ted Whyte, Rotarian
Lucia Luvuno and acting President
John Joughin.
34. 34 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
The Rotary Clubs of Flamingo-Welkom, Goldfields Sunset, Welkom and Odendaalrus (D9370) sent
16 teenagers to participate in the RYLA camp held in Parys.
On 28 February, the Interact Club of
the German School (D9350) hosted
a fun day at Fish Hoek beach for 485
children from various children’s homes
and shelters. A train was hired to take
the children to the beach where they
were welcomed by the principal, Mr
Hermann Battenbergn, Rotary club
presidents Steven Boers (Cape Town),
Bev Frieslich (Cape of Good Hope) and
John Jacobs (Claremont ). The Interact
Clubs of Rustenburg Girls, Trafalgar
and Simons Town helped on the day.
Activities included a beach clean-up
and games including volleyball, beach
soccer, beach bats and a tug of war.
35. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 35
Thanks to the Rotary Club of Nairobi
Utumishi (D9212), Mohammed Abdi
Yusuf (33) has a new LN-4 prosthetic
hand. The software salesman from
Somalia lost his right hand in 1992
during the Somali Civil War. He was
just 10 years old at the time.
Andreas Freytag, from the Rotary Club
of Jena Ernst Abbe (D1950, Germany)
exchanged club banners with
President Deon Erasmus of the Rotary
Club of Paarl (D9350) to celebrate
their cooperation on a large project.
The two clubs, along with the Rotary
Club of Bayreuth (D1880, Germany),
used a Global Grant to sponsor a
project called Girls Talk. The project
involves a gynaecologist, Dr Burga
Schwoerer (centre), teaching primary
school girls about female anatomy,
physiology, pregnancy, contraception
and sexually transmitted diseases.
Stationery was given to Junagarth Road Primary School
by the Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park (D9370).
With some of the children are Neelan Naiker, Preggie
Naidoo, Marlene Naiker, Kamala Naidoo and principal
Anilrai Bhanprakash.
February was a very busy month for Aiden Robertson, the
service projects committee director of the Rotary Club
of Pretoria East (D9400), as he distributed a number of
wheelchairs. Donkerhoek, Cosmos and Winterveld HIV/
AIDS Care Centre each received a wheelchair while More
Care International and an old age home received two
wheelchairs each.
I
f heroes seem to be every-
where these days, that’s
because they are, according
to Elizabeth Svoboda, who, in
What Makes a Hero? The Sur-
prising Science of Selflessness
(Current Hardcover, 2013),
delves into the science of how
and why people act selflessly.
The definition of a hero has
expanded from a quasi-mythi-
cal figure, she says, to include
soldiers, firefighters, and“social
heroes” – such as professional
football players who speak out
about head injuries, and kids
who stand up to bullies. This
reflects our culture’s assump-
tion that anyone can be a hero,
and creates the expectation that
we all should act heroically, or
at least “pro-socially,” to help
those in need.
But there is a fine line
between behaving altruistically
and acting heroically, and Svo-
boda spends much of the book
examining new research into
why we help others and
whether humans have evolved
an instinct for what’s called
“group selection” – meaning
that we help others because
group survival is better for all of
us. As evolutionary biologist
Charles Goodnight explains:
“You put one person in the mid-
dle of the jungle and they’re din-
ner. Twenty people, you have a
village. We can’t survive on our
own, but we can collectively.”
Svoboda reports on neuro-
science research that has found
that donating to a worthy cause
activates the same brain regions
as our craving for food and sex,
suggesting a similarly deep
motivation. She also explores
how volunteering can boost
health and life satisfaction.
The book closes with a prac-
tical look at how to cultivate
a more altruistic mindset.
Altruistic people tend to see
themselves as capable of getting
things done, and consider
themselves part of a larger
human family. They also, she
says, see life through a redemp-
tive lens, focusing on the good
that comes out of the bad.
These things make the differ-
ence.“Heroes,”Svoboda writes,
“are mostly regular people who
harness their desire to care for
others and make an extraordi-
nary commitment to reach out
to them.” – FRANK BURES
We can be heroes, if just for one day
RE COMMENDED READING
UP FRONT
To Be Determined
½ h - " × ."
we all should act heroically, or
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 | T H E R O T A R I A N 1 9
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36. 36 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
The Rotary Club of Klerksdorp
(D9370) ran a successful Skool
Tassie (school bag) project for
needy children. The project
was run under the guidance
of the club’s youth committee
and included the special efforts
of Past President JC Nel and
Charmaine Rider. It supplied
learners at two schools with
basic necessities they would
need for school.
The Rotary Club of Kloof (D9370) held a breakfast to thank the Anns for their help during the year.
In 1991, Noncedo
Gosani lost her right
hand in an accident
when she worked at a
butchery. She heard
about the Rotary Club
of Port Elizabeth’s
LN-4 prosthetic hand
project, Give Hope,
Give a Hand, from a
person she met at
a clinic. After much
planning, Noncedo
visited the home of
Denise Pudney and
was fitted with her
new hand. She was
accompanied by her
daughter, Spokazi,
who was thrilled to
see her mother write
with her dominant
hand for the first time
in 23 years.
37. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 37
It was a great morning as swimmers took part in the Rotary Global Swimarathon which was hosted
by the EarlyAct Club of St Catherine’s and the Rotary Club of Empangeni (D9370). The purpose
of the event was to create awareness about polio eradication and to raise funds the End Polio
Now campaign. This was the fourth year that the event was hosted and each year has seen more
entries from individuals and teams. In 2014, a combined total of 8.8 kilometres was swum by 88
swimmers and this year the ‘splash-o-meter’ clocked up more than 27 kilometres. Three schools,
Empangeni Christian School, Empangeni Preparatory and St Catherine’s, were represented at the
event.
The Rotary Club of Estcourt (D9370) gave 10 chess boards
to the members of the Estcourt Secondary School Chess
Club. Past President Louis Piovesan and Area Coordinator
Roger Haynes presented the donation.
The Rotary Club of Empangeni
(D9370), represented by Denise
Brook, Barbara Robarts (above)
and Nomathemba Haseleau, visited
Amangwe High School to give
every Grade 8 learner (57 in total)
an Usborne Illustrated English
Dictionary. The principal and the
Grade 8 educators were also given a
copy to keep.
Members of the Rotary Club of Chatsworth (D9370)
visited Albert Luthuli Hospital’s children’s ward with
CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation in February. Toys
were given to each child in the wards and at the CHOC
house. Nurses from the paediatric oncology ward helped
President Ansuyah Moodley, Pam Naidoo, Shanta Mannie
and Steve Chokalingam distribute the toys.
38. 38 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
The Rotary Club of Sandton (D9400) held a successful
Arbour Day at Kwena Molapo High School. Ten
indigenous trees were planted on Spring Day last year
and, at the time, two classes were identified to plant
and maintain each tree. They were the challenged to
see which class could best look after the trees and a
prize of R500 was offered. The prize was presented to a
Grade 12 class at the beginning of the 2015 school year.
The Rotary Club of Klerksdorp (D9370)
held a Christmas Wish Week where
children wrote letters stating what they
wanted for Christmas. Some children
wanted gifts as simple as groceries,
bicycles and balls. Past President JC
Nel championed the project and eight
wishes were granted.
The Rotary Club of Scottburgh (D9370) donated TOMS shoes to some of the more needy children
at Scholla Amoris School in Umzinto. The school educates children with special needs.
39. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 39
District Governor Andrew Jaeger (D9370)
visited the Rotary Club of De Aar. Rotarians
from the Rotary Club of Colesberg visited the
De Aar club during the visit. With DG Andrew
are President Rina Edwards (De Aar) and AG
Jackie Ramsay (Colesberg).
While using a machine to cut grass at a farm
two years ago, Ezekiel Kaburu lost his left hand.
The married 63-year-old father of five received
a LN-4 prosthetic hand from the Rotary Club of
Nairobi Utumishi (D9212).
The second Rotary Ramble was held by the
Rotary Club of Haenertsburg (D9400). The aim
of event was to raise awareness of Rotary in its
community and was planned to coincide with
the town’s annual Berry Festival. The theme
this year was Water, Woods and Wow Places.
The ramble follows the format of an amazing
race, although most people are too busy
enjoying the scenery to worry too much about
the race part. Each year locals are amazed
by some of the beautiful places they visit for
the first time. This year DG Annie Steijn and
her husband, Hennie, attended as members
of President Jack Holloway’s team. Above:
DG Annie and President Jack Holloway try to
complete a puzzle in the given time. Left: Team
Roll Royce, the winner of the spirit prize.
40. 40 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Peter and Ruth Stuart-Thompson are new members of the Rotary Club of Haenertsburg (D9400). With them is
President Jack Holloway (centre).
Welcomed and honoured
George Mua and TitilayoAdedokun-Helm are new
members of the Rotary Club of Waterfront (D9350).
MohamedAhmed
Mohamed was recognised
as a Paul Harris Fellow
by the Rotary Club of
Waterfront (D9350).
Evert Demmer received
a Sapphire Pin from the
Rotary Club of Flamingo-
Welkom (D9370).
Werner Kok is a new
member of the Rotary
Club of Flamingo-Welkom
(D9370).
Gerda van Wyk received
a Vocational award from
the Rotary Club of Durban
(D9370).
PPJoan Huskisson
received a Sapphire Pin
from the Rotary Club of
Knysna (D9350).
PPLesley Satchel
received a Sapphire Pin
from the Rotary Club of
Knysna (D9350).
41. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 41
Sonja Shear, Gavin Tonkin and John Bintcliffe are new members of the Rotary Club of BenoniAurora (D9400). With
them is President Denis Brandjes.
Julian Hobson received a
ServiceAbove Self award
from the Rotary Club
of Cape of Good Hope
(D9350).
Pierre Rossouw has taken
office as the president
of the Rotary Club of
Parktown Excalibur
(D9400).
Walter and Margie Licata are new members of the Rotary
Club of Waterfront (D9350).
Welcomed and honoured
recognised
42. 42 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
Welcomed and honoured
Has your club welcomed or honoured someone?
Send us their picture and name.
Contact Sharon at rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Blessing Mubaiwa is the
president of the Rotary
Club ofAvondale (D9210).
Zakhe Makhye is a new
member of the Rotary
Club of Bedfordview
(D9400).
Dirk Reuter is a new
member of the Rotary
Club of Durban (D9370).
Stephan Delcarme
received a ServiceAbove
Self award from the Rotary
Club of Cape of Good
Hope (D9350).
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Port Shepstone (D9370), DGAndrew Jaeger presented Community Service awards to
Monique Rutter and Linda Hansell. Pictured after the presentation areAnn President Vanessa Howard-Tripp, President
Jim Docherty, Monique Rutter, DGAndrew Jaeger and Linda Hansell.
43. April 2015 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 43
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DISCLAIMER: All opinions published are not the opinion
of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the
accuracyofanyoftheopinions,informationoradvertisements
in this publication. No responsibility is accepted for the quality
of advertised goods or services or the accuracy of material
submitted for reproduction. To the extent permitted by law, the
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44. 44 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ April 2015
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