Rotary Africa Aug 2017-website

ROTARY AFRICAEstablished 1927 • A member of the Rotary World Magazine Press • August 2017
www.rotaryafrica.com
1941-2017
Samuel Owori

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TOO MANY GIRLS SPEND
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COLLECTING WATER.*
*UN Water. (2013). UN-Water factsheet on water and gender,World Water Day 2013.

August 2017 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ 3
in this issue...
Our organisation has made landmark strides globally in polio eradication, health,
water, literacy and other concerns and today we stand tall at the threshold of great
possibilities. As a result, we should acknowledge and exploit Rotary’s capacity and
power to change the world and I invite you all to join me to propel our Rotary ship
into the orbit of relevance, visibility and sustainability.
Rotary International President-Elect Samuel F Owori (1941-2017)
Upfront
4 | From the editor
5 | Message from the RI President
6 | Foundation Chair’s message
Rotary at a Glance
What you should know
7 | 2018 RI Convention
8 | The Problem
9 | Foundation matters
10 | Samuel Frobisher Owori
14 | New directors and trustees take office
18 | 90 years & yet to miss a meeting
Projects
20 | Shining bright
23 | Riding on the wild side
25 | Game changing project
Report backs
27 | Knysna: Burnt but not beaten
30 | Family time at 9210 Discon
32 | Celebrating diversity
33 | District 9350 Conference
Round up
36 | Club and district news
Recognised
38 | Our new club presidents
41 | Welcomed and honoured

4 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦August 2017
Editor Sarah van Heerden
Administration Sharon Robertson
Chairman Gerald Sieberhagen
Directors Greg Cryer
Andy Gray
Peter Hugo
Natty Moodley
Annemarie Mostert
Publisher Rotary in Africa
Reg. No. 71/04840/08
(incorp.associationnotfor
gain)
PBO No: 18/13/13/3091
RegisteredattheGPOasa
newspaper
Design & Layout Rotary in Africa
Printers Colour Planet, Pinetown
Advertising Sharon Robertson
Sarah van Heerden
Tariff card on request at
Subscriptions Sharon Robertson
(digital)
Contributions rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
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 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,RotaryInternationalorTheRotaryFoundation.
MEET OUR TEAM
FromtheEditor
SarahSarah
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I have never liked writing obituaries or tributes but it is so much
harder when you have to write about someone who was as
well respected as Rotary International President-Elect Samuel
Frobisher Owori.
The most common phrases I heard while researching Sam were
“I am a better person/Rotarian because of him.” When I contacted
Charles Odoobo Bichachi, the executive editor of Monitor Publications
Ltd (the publisher of one of Uganda’s leading newspapers) to ask
for permission to use some of the Daily Monitor’s content he wrote
back and said “Permission is granted… Rotarian Owori’s passing
is a great loss to Uganda and humanity and if our little contribution
to celebrating a great life is to help tell his story, we are more than
obliged.”
Articles mourning his passing were published not just in Africa and
in Rotary content, but in newspapers and blogs across the world, on
almost every continent.
When you research something of this nature for someone as
well-regarded as Sam, it takes more than a few hours. You spend
days trawling for information, checking its accuracy and finding,
then establishing contacts, who can feed you more information. The
hardest part is that you come into contact with a lot of people and
through hearing their stories and recollections you see the man he
was through their eyes and begin to feel what they felt for him… And
then you realise the enormity of what we lost. You realise that with
Sam preparing to take the helm we stood, like brave explorers of
the new world, beside him ready to sail towards a better and bigger
Rotary: A Rotary that has not yet been seen!
This is the first time Rotary International has lost a president-elect
but there are procedures in place in case this should happen. I am
sure that after the rigorous process is completed that we will have a
terrific replacement and I have every confidence that the best person
for the job will be selected. I am certain that the Rotary leaders will
implement some of Sam’s brilliant ideas and bring about some of the
remarkable progress that he would have… but it won’t be the same. It
won’t be Africa’s Sam and that leaves me indescribably sad.
Samuel Frobisher Owori was a man who spoke with kindness and
acted with integrity. There are many who are better for knowing him
and I hope there will be many more who will benefit from knowing of
him.
Rest in peace, Rotarian Sam.
In the process of doing good we are the greatest
beneficiaries because our lives change and we become better
people, and enjoy that intrinsic satisfaction on which we
cannot put a price… It is true that one profits most who
serves best!
- President-Elect Sam Owari

IAN RISELEY
President, Rotary International
Message from the
RI PRESIDENT
upfront
Speeches & news from RI President Ian Riseley
www.rotary.org/office-president
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
When someone asks you, “What is Rotary?” what
do you say? I think we’ve all had the experience of
being asked that deceptively simple question and
finding ourselves suddenly at a loss for words.
Even the most articulate among us have a hard time
capturing the essence of our organisation in just a
few sentences.
As an organisation, Rotary has always had a difficult
time conveying the scope of our work: not just what we
do, but how we do it and the value of what we contribute
to the world.
As an accountant, I like numbers. They work in
every language and often they communicate complex
information much more effectively than words. That
is why, in this Rotary year, I am asking each club to
provide Rotary headquarters with two numbers: the
amount of money, both in cash and in kind, spent on
humanitarian service and the number of hours of work
performed in Rotary’s name.
If we want these numbers to be useful, they have to
be accurate. This means, that beginning now, we have
to accurately track the hours and the money that our
clubs spend on their service.
The simplest way for clubs to provide this information
at the end of the year will be by entering it every month
on Rotary Club Central – a tool that has been rebuilt
and relaunched to be significantly more useful, and
user-friendly, than it has been in the past. If for some
reason (for example, limited internet access) your club
is not able to connect to Rotary Club Central, please
contact your district governor, who will ensure that your
information can be submitted through other means.
I cannot emphasise strongly enough that the goal of
this effort is not getting the largest and most impressive
numbers. There is not going to be any competition,
recognition or public use whatsoever of the numbers
reported by any individual club. The goal is to generate
accurate and reliable numbers that we can present
confidently in our public image work, in our membership
materials and to our partners – numbers backed by
specific data, on the club level, that answer not only
the question, “What is Rotary?” but the question, “What
does Rotary do?”
I strongly believe that with these numbers, we will be
better able to demonstrate the value of Rotary: Making
a Difference – which in time will enable us to make
more of a difference, for more people, in more ways,
than ever.

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
Paul Netzel
FOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR
TALK TO US;
WE’LL LISTEN
Learn more about Rotary at:
www.rotary.org
ROTARY
Members:
1 233 172
Clubs:
35 533
ROTARACT
Members:
233 450
Clubs:
10 150
INTERACT
Members:
495 880
Clubs:
21 560
RCC
Members:
210 500
Corps:
9 452
ROTARY
AT A
GLANCEAs of 31 March
What does the chair of The Rotary Foundation
Trusteesdo,anyway?WhatdotheTrusteesdo?These
questions are often asked of me in different ways.
The Board of Trustees manages the business of the
Foundation, the charitable arm of our organisation
that transforms your gifts into sustainable outcomes
that change lives – both close to home and around
the world.
One thing we do is listen. We listen to you, the
members. Your voice comes to us through many different
channels and connections with feedback, ideas, concerns
and recommendations.
We listen to our Rotary Foundation committees. We
listen to our regional coordinators and advisers, to the
district Foundation committee chairs and to our district
governors. We listen to our associate Rotary foundations
which provide local tax benefits in seven countries.
We listen to our colleagues on the Board of Directors,
to our trusted Rotary staff, to our incredible PolioPlus
committees and our polio partners, to our Rotarian Action
Groups and to the Cadre of Technical Advisers. We listen
to feedback from our six Rotary Peace Centres.
Rotarians are the backbone of the Foundation, so
it’s important to listen to you. For example, listening to
Rotarians’ ideas at the 2016 Council on Legislation
(COL) led to several significant reforms to enhance the
membership experience. These reforms offer clubs more
flexibility. For example, an exciting rules change allows
a service project to count as a meeting. Importantly,
Rotaractors can now become members of Rotary clubs
while they are still in Rotaract.
How do these changes benefit The Rotary
Foundation? The strength of the Foundation starts with
our members and we believe the new club flexibility
options will attract and keep more members. What needs
to be accomplished for Rotary to remain relevant today
and for the generations to come? This is where the COL’s
three-year cycle is your opportunity to bring forward ideas
to continue the evolution of Rotary. The deadline for
submitting proposed enactments for the 2019 COL is 31
December 2017.
Share your ideas at: on.rotary.org/COLproposals.
You are our greatest strength. Let me hear from you. I
can be reached at paul.netzel@rotary.org.

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
2018 RI Convention
When it comes to sports, Toronto, the host of the
2018 Rotary International Convention from 23 to 27
June, has something for everyone.
In Maple Leaf Square, you’ll find the beating heart
of ‘Leafs Nation,’ millions of hockey fans who support
the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. During playoff games,
thousands of people jam into the square in front of the
Air Canada Centre (ACC), the Leafs’ home arena, to
follow the action on a giant screen while waving white
‘rally towels.’
On other spring nights, the square is packed with
people clad in red and black holding signs that say,
“We the North.” These are fans of the NBA’s Toronto
Raptors, who also play at the ACC. When they’re in the
house, the square is known as Jurassic Park.
If you want to catch a big-ticket sports event during
the convention, your best bet is the Toronto Blue Jays,
who play the New York Yankees on June 27. You’ll find
the Blue Jays’ home, the Rogers Centre, next to the
CN Tower.
If you’re a football fan, you may want to return in
the autumn to watch the Canadian Football League’s
Toronto Argonauts. Their stadium, BMO Field, is also
home to Toronto FC, a soccer team that has a small
but devoted fan base. They’re playing against the New
England Revolution on June 23, the opening night of
the convention. – Randi Druzin
Register for the 2018 Rotary Convention in Toronto
at riconvention.org.
Rotaryhasbecomeawayoflifeforme–withtheintrinsicvalueandcorebeliefinmutualresponsibility
andconcernforoneanotherasacornerstone- RI President-Elect Sam Owori (1941-2017)- R

It’s about how you approach
THE PROBLEMPDG Andrew Jaeger, Rotary Coordinator, Zone 20A South
In the past year, all the southern African districts,
except for D9400 which grew by 10, showed no
growth and continued their steady decline in
membership numbers.
Every Rotarian should be very concerned that once
again Rotary in our region has continued to decrease
in numbers and reach. If the current rate of decline
continues, Rotary in southern Africa will not exist within
20 years or at best, there will be one mega district with
just a few clubs.
Rotarians: We have a serious problem!
In a fascinating recent television interview, former
South African President Thabo Mbeki stated that the
most important step in solving South Africa’s problems
is to ethically and honestly understand and identify the
cause of these problems. Failure to understand the root
cause will lead to choosing and implementing the wrong
solution.
Similarly in Rotary, when we look at solving our core
problems it’s vital that every club and district searches
honestly and extensively to establish the reason for their
decline in membership. Too often clubs and districts
use the easy excuse of blaming the cost of Rotary or
potential members being too busy.
In our desperation to grow our organisation,
Rotarians are often asked to give more and do more.
But is this the solution? Is this helping to grow Rotary
or are we actually hurting the organisation? Could
the real problem be that we have gone from being a
member-oriented organisation to being a project-
oriented organisation that is seeking members? Have
we accepted our decline and inevitable death and thus
squeezing the life blood out of our existing members,
instead of focusing on the value proposition for our
members?
Rotary is a fantastic organisation and has, like any
successful business, a compelling value proposition.
And this value proposition is contained in the Object of
Rotary.
The object of Rotary being: 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
occupations and the dignifying of each Rotarians
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.
Simply put, the object of Rotary is that when we join
Rotary we are asked for three things:
• Our god-given talents and vocational skills
• Our High Ethical standards
• Our Network of contacts
In return we receive:
• The promise that the people we meet and deal
with can be trusted
• An opportunity for leadership development
• An opportunity for networking
• An opportunity for mentoring
• An opportunity for service
• An opportunity for friendship and fun
This value proposition was and is so profound
that we have become a truly global organisation. A
truly global network of leaders transforming lives both
near and far. You have to be a leader with high ethical
standards to be part of Rotary. Many of us have had our
lives transformed through Rotary. Millions of lives have
been transformed because of polio eradication.
For a large part of the more than 112 years of Rotary’s
existence this value proposition was so popular that
Rotary grew substantially. In my opinion, our problems
started when we moved away from the object of Rotary
and became more focussed on charity.
I am not saying that we should not do charity but
Rotary is about so much more than charity. With
good intentions, many Rotary clubs have inadvertently
switched from advancing the Object of Rotary to being
a volunteer service organisation which no longer fully
satisfies our members networking, friendship and
achievement needs.
We have be careful that we are not spending time,
treasure and talent on convenient diversions rather
than examining the more difficult issues that sometimes
require systemic and attitude change. The recent
Knysna fires have once again confirmed my belief that
there is not a shortage of volunteers in the world, Rotary
just needs to attract and engage them constructively.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves whether we are
shying away from identifying the real cause of our
problem. As we change what we do and how we do
things in the years to come, it is critical that these
changes stay in alignment with who we are and why
we exist.
Rotarians, we have to understand there is no such
thing as being stagnant – you either grow or die. Growth
is the only evidence of life.

ROTARY’S HEART
IN ACTION
Foundation matters
By PDG Patrick Coleman: Regional Rotary Foundation
Coordinator Zone 20A South
Johnny Banda was born in a village without a name
about 20 kilometres from Luanshya, Zambia. His
parents died from AIDS-related diseases. After the
death of his parents, he was left in the care of his
extended family.
To get to his village I travelled on several different
kinds of roads. The first kilometre was smoothly tarred,
the next 16 were not and the last three were a bush
path.
Johnny became more of a burden than a blessing.
He became the taster for Kachasu, the locally brewed
‘whiskey’ made from distilled maize, honey and alcohol.
This drink contains about 20 to 30 percent ethanol,
some tests have found it to be as high as 70 percent,
and sometimes battery acid is added to give it an extra
kick.
Johnny was given the drink to make sure it was not
too strong and if he survived, then it was sold in the
village. Ultimately, his uncle and his new wife died and
when Johnny’s grandparents were unable to help, he
became an unofficial ward of the village. He was not
wanted and not loved - he was a throwaway child.
Enter the Rotarians.
The Ministry of Social Welfare found Johnny and
took him to an orphanage operated by Rotarians. He
was in a daze as Rotarian medical personnel examined
him for wounds and disease. Johnny was physically
abused and malnourished. His hair was falling out, his
eyes were dull and he was suffering from malaria. He
was also very, very afraid. His clothes were old, dirty,
tattered and filled with lice. He had never owned a pair
of shoes. He did not know these strangers who poked
and prodded his body. They did not know him either, but
his life was about to change forever.
What the Rotarians did not know was that Johnny
recognised something about them. Their faces were
new, their language was unfamiliar and their actions
were bizarre (probing in his mouth with a wooden
stick and placing a thermometer under his arm was
not something he had ever experienced before). What
he did recognise was the ‘circle’ that each of these
strangers wore on their shirts, blouses and hats: the
Rotary Wheel.
As the first day came to a close and the Rotarians
were preparing to leave Johnny in the capable hands of
his new foster parents, the Rotarians turned to him and
said, “Bye, bye.” It was then that Johnny said his first
words: “Bye bye, polio!”
Though the Rotarians had never seen Johnny and
Johnny had never seen these Rotarians, their lives had
already connected because of The Rotary Foundation
PolioPlus Campaign. This wheel was the assurance
that Johnny had: He was safe and these strangers
would not hurt him.
Johnny was among the hundreds of thousands of
children in Zambia who had been immunised against
polio. He recognised our Rotary wheel.
Johnny continued to benefit from The Rotary
Foundation. He slept under an insecticide-treated
mosquito net provided through a partnership with the
Rotary Club of Normal (D6490, USA). He drank water
from a well provided through a partnership with the
Rotary Club of Saratoga (D5170, USA). He played
in a park where the toys were provided through a
partnership with the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise (D
5240, California).
According to the Zambian Ministry of Social Welfare,
Johnny is alive today because of Rotarians and our
Rotary Foundation, that body within the body of Rotary
International whose mission includes “the achievement
of world understanding and peace through local,
national and international humanitarian, educational
and cultural programmes.”
This sterile yet legal definition does not begin to
describe what The Rotary Foundation means to the
millions of people who are recipients of The Rotary
Foundation programmes. In Africa, The Rotary
Foundation means clean water, better schools and of
course, no more polio.
Like any healthy body The Rotary Foundation has
a heart, that organ that keeps the life-carrying blood
flowing through the arteries and veins to every part of
the body. The heart of The Rotary Foundation is every
Rotarian in every Rotary club across the face of the
earth. We are the heart of Rotary because we – you
and I – are the means whereby the funds flow.
The Zambian Ministry of Education and the local
town council are awestruck at the dedication and
generosity of Rotary club members in places they will
never visit, but whose lives have intersected because of
The Rotary Foundation.
Who makes this happen? We do. The more than
1.2 million people who wear the Rotary pin and live by
the creed Service Above Self. Through our participation
in The Rotary Foundation, we keep the promise of
tomorrow alive for children who are castaways in their
own communities.
Rotarians Making A Difference through OUR
ROTARY FOUNDATION!

SAMUEL
FROBISHER
OWORI
I feel immense satisfaction knowing that
through Rotary, I’ve helped someone
live better ~ Samuel F Owori (1941-2017)

The Rotary flags in front of Rotary International
World Headquarters (Evanston, USA) and offices
around the world flew at half-mast in the week
that followed the death of Rotary International
President-Elect Sam Owori who was to become
the second-ever African and first Ugandan to hold
the office of RI President. He humbly described
this nomination as “honour shared by my family,
country and continent.”
The news shattered not only Rotarians but the
country of Uganda. In the week after Rotary International
President-elect Sam Owori’s death, headlines in the
national newspapers shared the nation’s mourning and
details of Sam’s return home and funeral. A headline
in the Daily Monitor, one of the foremost Ugandan
publications, proclaimed “Sam Owori is dead. Long live
Rtn Samuel Frobisher Owori.”
That headline alone encapsulated precisely what the
Ugandan people and Rotarians across the world felt.
Sam Owori was a husband,
father, grandfather, Rotarian
and friend. He was also a
lot more. He was a voice of
reason, a fierce advocate for
positive change and a man
greatly respected by men
and women from all walks of
life – from the poor person
whose life he improved to the President of Uganda who
declared he would receive a state funeral.
In historical fiction, the most popular heroes are
those who stand with their forces, wade into battle with
them, lead them and emerge equally bloodied and
dirtied. When it came to Rotary membership, Sam was
that Warrior King.
PDG June Webber (D9350) spoke highly of her
friend and fellow membership champion. “Sam
had a formidable membership track record. Behind
that friendly warm smile, Sam drove membership
relentlessly.”
During the year he was district governor, D9200
(particularly Uganda) experienced a membership
explosion. “Altogether, 26 clubs were formed and
over 700 new members were brought in. Our monthly
membership bulletin the Membership Energiser was
distributed for three consecutive years to all 14 districts
in Zone 10Afrom 1 July 2007. Sam was the membership
energiser,” recalled PDG June.
Rotarians, particularly those in Africa, were excitedly
waiting for Sam to take office as RI president and felt
a little of the ‘Sam Membership Magic’ would spread
across the world. And probably would have.
After his nomination as RI President, Sam
mentioned that year when describing his vision for
Rotary. “As president and DG, I started with four and
nine clubs respectively, in Uganda. Today there are 89
clubs. I shared my strategy at ROTA and Zone Institute
in 2014 when I unveiled “Owori Recommended Rotary
Density” (ORRD) for Africa, targeting 0.01 percent of
population (or 100,000 Rotarians) within 10 years…
Long term, I see Rotary capable of seven million quality
membership, or 0.1 percent of world population.”
Inaninterview,hespokeopenlyandheldnopunches,
making it clear that the one thing he planned to change
about Rotary was what he was most passionate about:
Membership and extension. “For Rotary, with enviable
values in a world of seven billion, to exist for 111 years
and boast of 1.3 million members is pathetic. Besides,
women stand at about 25 percent (of membership),
while the average age in many countries hovers around
70 years. There are many places which need Rotary
and numerous potential members who have never
been invited. The problem is Rotarians who got in and
closed the doors.”
Not one to criticise without providing solutions,
he explained how he planned to tackle the problem.
“Accordingly, I would review the method of recruitment
and open it up to applications rather that invitation
but institute effective vetting of applicants. I would
consider admitting spouses, Rotaractors and RCCs
who implement our programmes at grassroots, if need
be under different categories. I would oblige every club
over five years old to form one new club to double the
number of clubs, membership and impact globally over-
night.”
He added to this in
media interviews when he
arrived in Uganda after
being nominated. Still a
little overwhelmed by the
nomination and attention,
Sam told the Daily Monitor
““This is really big and I am
still trying to suck it all in…
I welcome this nomination not just as a privilege but
a challenge. What has got us here as Rotary Uganda,
is sweat and it is the same hard work we are going to
represent with on the international platform.”
Sam joined Rotary in 1978 and was an enthusiastic
and active member of the Rotary Club of Kampala,
Uganda.
President Fredrick Kamya (Kampala) described
Sam as “soft spoken, yet with very high resolve and
determination, he had slowly climbed the ranks of
Rotary leadership and had now reached the apex. Just
months away from Rotary International President, but,
alas, it was not to be. His humility, before everyone, in
whatever circumstances is worth emulating. He would
wear his smile always and speak calmly and reservedly.”
President Fredrick explained that Sam’s passion
for Rotary and drive to increase its membership was
limitless. “Even till his death, membership growth was
his song but above all, he was the Rotary encyclopaedia
to all of us. His knowledge in all Rotary matters was
amazing. He had a passion and zeal for all that he did
and did it to the best of his ability.”
Dr Robert K Rutaagi, a fellow club member, was
CEO of Uganda Baati Ltd when he first met Sam in 1981
after his appointment to the board. “He represented
UCB which was the joint financier with World Bank/
IDA support. Another board member/shareholder was
Phan Ntende the first black Governor in the world. Both
were eminent Rotarians. Both jointly sponsored me into
Rotary after learning that I was a Rotary Foundation
alumnus.
“Rtn Sam will be remembered for many good things.
At the time of his death, he was Executive Director of
the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda and
Director of PACE Uganda. He is famously remembered
for introducing management by objective [MBO] in
UCB, spearheading Rotary extension, eloquent Rotary
speeches, being Rotary’s mobile encyclopaedia,
I am not omniscient and must have
the humility to listen to others
because I need followers and more
ideas ~ Samuel F Owori (1941-2017)

humility and a durable diplomatic smile that endeared
him to Rotarians.”
Despite a very busy schedule, Sam always made
time for his club members, family and friends. Past
President Stephen K Lwanga (Kampala, 2016/17)
described Sam as a mentor, saying he often consulted
the RI President Nominee. “As a result I am a better
Rotarian for the guidance he gave me. He gave me
special recognition as “His President” and I appreciated
the honour.” PP Stephen said that Sam “breathed
and lived Rotary and wanted all Rotarians, especially
members of his club, to do the same.
“Sam’s untimely departure has dealt us a very deep
wound which will take long to heal.”
Another club member, Joseph Tinka, said that Sam
taught everyone he met that “everything was sacred –
from the ant that toils on the hill, to the air we breathe,
to the neighbour we embrace; that the largest of things
is no greater than the smallest of things. I can only hope
to be half the man he was.”
With an engaging smile and a calming voice, he
put everyone he talked to at ease, said Hilda Tadria, a
member of the Rotary Club of Gaba (D9211, Uganda)
and a close friend of Sam and his wife, Norah. “I call
it the ‘Sam Smile. It made him very approachable and
easy to talk to. I think his smile is one of the things
Rotary and his friends will miss the most. No matter
the situation, Sam was always upbeat, always joking
around and putting everyone else in a good mood.”
Sam was highly respected in Uganda for his integrity
and consistent ethical standards. Those qualities,
Tadria said, are important in a Rotary president. “He
was a man everyone could trust. He preferred listening
to speaking. It’s one reason he was so well-liked.”
“It is impossible to think of Sam Owori without a smile
– one on his face and another on mine. He had that
gift of sharing joy,” said PDG Patrick Coleman. “Even
though we lived on the same continent, we usually met
someplace off the continent because of Rotary events.
Wherever and whenever we met it was always a happy
time merely because Sam was the perennial optimist
and that optimism was contagious. My life was affected
by knowing Samuel Frobisher Owori. I am a better
Rotarian and (I hope) a better person because I knew
him. He will never be forgotten.”
PDG June Webber agrees. Sam became a friend
when they served together as membership coordinators
and on the Reach Out To Africa Committee (ROTA).
“Serving on the ROTA committee for three years, led
to many opportunities to be with Sam and to benefit
from his wisdom. Sam personified the core values of
Rotary. Witnessing the fond bantering between “Big
Sam” (Past RI Director Sam Okudzeto) and “Small
Sam” (diminutive in stature but a giant in Rotary) was
consistently entertaining as they playfully challenged
each other with intellect and humour.”
The devoted and loving husband, father and
grandfather was often accompanied by Norah, his wife.
“Sam could dance! Watching him and Norah in their
traditional costumes beneath the stars at the Rotary
Institute held at the Munyonyo Conference Centre on
the shore of Lake Victoria, moving in tandem to the
rhythm of the African music, will remain with me always.
“They were an outstanding couple, a match it
seemed, made in heaven in every way,” recalled PDG
June. Later, PDG June was on the committee which
nominated Sam as a Rotary International Director.
Perhaps the greatest testament to Sam’s legacy was
the decision of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of
The Republic of Uganda, to authorise an official burial
for Samuel Owori.
President-Elect Sam made his last journey home
and arrived in Kampala on 25 July. Rotarians, district
officials and friends were on hand to support the family
and pay their respects when his body arrived. He
was then moved to lie in state at parliament. Rotary
Sam Owori’s nomination as Rotary International President was a great source of national pride in Uganda
and on his return to Kampala he received a hero’s welcome. Crowds of Rotarians were present to greet and
congratulate him. In the months since then, there were talks of hiring an aircraft so that as many Ugandan
Rotarians as possible could travel to the Toronto convention next year. They planned to be cloaked in the
national flag and watch as Sam was inducted as Rotary International President 2018/19.

International Vice-President Dean Rhors was in Uganda
representing President Ian Riseley.
“Today’s special Uganda State Funeral Services for
President-Elect Sam Owori were very poignant, sad
and reflective but made me very proud to have been his
friend and a Rotarian,” she said.
“This is the first time that a private citizen has been
honoured in this matter. Sam’s casket lay in state in the
parliamentary foyer for a number of hours giving many
Rotarians, State Officials and dignitaries the opportunity
to say goodbye.”
After a brief lunch, a special session of Parliament
was held to honour Sam. “So many members of
parliament took turns to speak of him, yet not all could
be accommodated in the three hours of this session. It
was truly wonderful to hear the tremendous impact he
had, both inside and outside of Rotary, in this country he
was so proud of,” shared Vice-President Dean.
When closing the session, the speaker of the house
addressed the members of parliament and challenged
them to embrace The Four-Way Test and use it as a
guide for the way they should conduct themselves in
parliament. He said that if they did, they would serve the
nation ethically and develop a great country.
Vice-President Dean said “Norah and the Owori
family were strong and I am sure they were sustained by
the great love shown to them by all those that attended.”
The following day, Rotarians from across Africa
gathered at the Lugogo Cricket Oval to pay their last
respects and a vigil was held later that afternoon at
the Owori home. There was a memorial service at
Namirembe Cathedral on Thursday before Sam’s
body was taken to his home in Kidera, Tororo District
on Friday where he was buried the following morning,
Saturday 29 July.
He is gone but there is no doubt that he will not only
continue to live through his legacy and in the memories
of those whose lives he touched, but also through
the effect he had on Rotary. “In his untimely passing,
Sam has managed to shine the spotlight again firmly
on Rotary, highlighting the core values he personified,
the unbelievable contribution that he made to humanity
as a unique human being and promoting Rotary as a
“force for good” world-wide. Little wonder that Sam is
still smiling,” said PDG June.
“When we lose a friend our thoughts go to legacy.
What did they leave behind? Money is spent, land is
sold and possessions have a way of fading away,
but a person’s legacy has more value than physical
characteristics. It is the philosophy, example and the
purpose for living. It is the passion transferred to family,
friends and colleagues.
“Sam’s passion was service. He expressed that
through Rotary, but it was seen in every area of his
life – professional and personal. We saw this with
the welcome and respect demonstrated by the State
Funeral in Uganda,” said PDG Patrick Coleman.
“May we therefore, live his legacy. May we grow
Rotary by inviting at least one good person and mentor
them to become good Rotarians every year. May
we always remember the good Rotary International
President-Elect Sam Owori stood for – his selflessness.
He lived his life for others. He served others all the
time,” President Frederick Kamya, the Rotary Club of
Kampala.
Memorial contributions in honour of
President-Elect Owori should be directed to
the Sam F Owori Memorial for Polio (see rotary.org)
The Regional Coordinator Membership Team in
Skoki (February 2007): Patrick Chisanga, Tunji
Funsho, Sam Owori, June Webber and Alain
Bambara. Right: Sam and Norah Owori. They
met in primary school in Tororo, Uganda. Sam
described Norah as beautiful, well-educated and
full of character. They were best friends and
partners who never left each other’s side.

The RI Board of Directors has 19 members: the RI president, the president-elect and 17 club-
nominated directors, who are elected at the Rotary Convention. The Board manages Rotary
International affairs and funds in accordance with the RI Constitution and Bylaws.Ten new
directors and the president-elect took office on 1 July.
The Rotary Foundation’s Board of Trustees manages the business of the Foundation, the
charitable arm of Rotary that funds service activities. The RI president-elect nominates the
trustees, who are elected by the RI Board to four-year terms. The trustee chair and three new
trustees took office on 1 July.
New directors and trustees take office
DIRECTORS
After the passing of President-Elect Sam F Owori,
the 2017/8 nominating committee will select a
new president-elect, in addition to the president-
nominee, during its scheduled meeting this month.
Basker Chockalingam
Rotary Club of Karur (D3000,
India)
Basker Chockalingam is
a managing partner at the
manufacturing firm VNC, the
retail distributor of Tata Steel
for the state of Tamil Nadu.
Recognising his contribution to
the growth of small industry, the
state government honoured him with the Best Small-
Scale Entrepreneur Award in 1986.
Chockalingam has held high-level positions in
several industrial groups and sports associations. He
has received honours including the Vijay Shree Award,
National Unity Award, Shiromani Vikas Award and
Hindu Gaurav Award for outstanding performance in a
chosen field and in service of society.
A Rotarian since 1988, he has served as Rotary
coordinator, committee member and district governor.
Chockalingam is a Benefactor and Major Donor
of The Rotary Foundation and a recipient of the
Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.
James Ronald Ferrill
Rotary Club of Martinsville
(D7570, USA)
Ron Ferrill retired after more than
33 years with DuPont, where he
held a variety of engineering and
management positions. He is
involved in several religious, civic
and community service activities.
A Rotarian since 1967, he
has served Rotary as RI president’s representative,
Council on Legislation representative, regional Rotary
Foundation coordinator and district governor. He also
served as a Group Study Exchange team leader to
Korea.
Ferrill has received The Rotary Foundation’s Citation
for Meritorious Service and Distinguished ServiceAward
and the RI Service Above Self Award. He is a member
of the Paul Harris Society and a Foundation Benefactor.
Ferrill and his wife, Elaine, are Major Donors. (Ferrill is
finishing Joseph Mulkerrin’s term.)
Peter Iblher
Rotary Club of Nürnberg-
Reichswald (D1880, Germany)
Peter Iblher is a retired
consultant. He served as
managing director of a hospital
group in Nuremberg, lecturer
at the Bavarian civil servant
university, head of business development for the city of
Fürth and CEO of consulting companies in Basle and
Munich.
ARotarian since 1990, Iblher has served Rotary as RI
president’s representative, Rotary coordinator, Council
on Legislation representative, RI training leader, district
governor, manager of service projects, especially in
India, and district vocational service committee chair.
He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor
to The Rotary Foundation.
Keiichi Ishiguro
Rotary Club of Tsuruoka West
(D2800, Japan)
Keiichi Ishiguro is chair of the
Ishiguro Dental and Orthodontics
Clinic. He has served as vice
chair and secretary of the Japan
Dental Association and as board
member, chair and adviser of the
Yamagata Dental Association.
He is chair of the Tsuruoka Comprehensive Planning
Council. In 2014, he received the Order of the Rising
Sun for achievement in dental health and hygiene.
A Rotarian since 1985, Ishiguro has served Rotary
as RI president’s representative, committee member
and subcommittee chair, Council on Legislation
representative, RI training leader, district governor and
district Rotary Foundation committee chair.
He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a Benefactor
of The Rotary Foundation.

Robert C Knuepfer Jr
Rotary Club of Chicago (D6440,
USA)
Robert C Knuepfer Jr is retired
from his position as senior partner
of corporate practice at the global
law firm Baker McKenzie. He
is a shareholder, director and
senior executive at Hallstar, a
specialty chemical company with global operations. He
is director of many corporate and civic organisations.
A Rotarian since 1982, Knuepfer has served Rotary
as RI president’s representative, committee member,
Council on Legislation representative, district governor
and club president. He and his wife, Nancy, are Rotary
Foundation Major Donors.
John C Matthews
Rotary Club of Mercer Island
(D5030, USA)
John C Matthews was senior vice
president of Costco Wholesale for
25 years. He also served in the US
Navy for 20 years before retiring as a
commander in the supply corps.
Matthews is active on corporate and community
boards, including the Seattle Chamber of Commerce,
University of Washington Bothell advisory board, Mercer
Island Presbyterian Church, Rotary First Harvest and
NW Reinsurance.
A Rotarian since 1988, Matthews has served Rotary
as RI president’s representative, committee member,
RI training leader, Rotary institute convener and district
governor. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, are Paul Harris
Fellows, Major Donors and members of theArch Klumph
Society and Bequest Society of The Rotary Foundation.
Together, they have established the John and Mary
Ellen Matthews Endowed Rotary Peace Fellowship.
Eunsoo Moon
Rotary Club of Cheonan-Dosol
(D3620, Korea)
Eunsoo Moon is a dentist, CEO
of Cheonan Moon Dental Hospital
and chair of HAN-A Medical
Foundation. He is director and chair
of several organisations in Korea.
Moon has served Rotary as RI president’s
representative, RI training leader, Rotarian Action
Group Committee member, district governor, Rotary
coordinator and assistant coordinator.He and his wife,
Hyunjoo Yang, are Arch Klumph Society members.
Moon has received the RI Service Above Self Award
and The Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service
Award and Citation for Meritorious Service.
Brian AE Stoyel
Rotary Club of Saltash (D1175,
England)
Brian Stoyel qualified as
a music teacher before he
moved to a teaching post in
Slough, then to Newbury as an
independent school headmaster.
He later established an education
consultancy, providing guardianship for international
students studying throughout the United Kingdom. A
Rotarian since 1981, Stoyel has served as president
of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. He
also has served Rotary as RI president’s representative,
committee member and chair and district governor. He
is founder of t Rotarians Eliminating Malaria in Tanzania
and Rotarians Eliminating Malaria: A Rotarian Action
Group. He is also a trustee of the Jaipur Limb project.
He has organised Rotaract projects in Romania,
Tanzania, Ghana, Bulgaria, Uganda, Malawi and Benin.
Stoyel and his wife, PDG Maxine, are multiple Paul
Harris Fellows, Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation,
Major Donors and Bequest Society members. He has
received the Service Above Self Award, the Citation for
Meritorious Service, the Distinguished Service Award
and was an RI training leader.
Gregory F Yank
Rotary Club of O’Fallon (D6510,
USA)
Greg Yank serves as business
coach to six owners of small to
medium-sized businesses. He spent
25 years in health care executive
management and leadership
positions, serving twice as a hospital
CEO and as president of a Catholic health system.
For 11 years, Yank owned a business coaching/
peer advisory board franchise called the Alternative
Board (TAB). He is the principal of GY Consulting and
Facilitation Services, specialising in board development
and education, business coaching, strategy, facilitation
and strategic governance. Yank is active in his
community. He is a commissioner of the Metro East
Park and Recreation District, advisory board member
for the Nielsen Healthcare Group in St Louis and board
member of the O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce
as well as chair of its strategic planning committee.
A Rotarian since 1978, he has served Rotary as
Rotary institute chair for zones 30 and 31, RI training
leader, membership coordinator and district governor
twice. He has travelled to Malawi, Ecuador, India and
Belize on Rotary projects. Yank is a recipient of the
RI Service Above Self Award. He and his wife, PDG
Catherine, are Major Donors and members of the Arch
Klumph, Paul Harris and Bequest societies.
Paulo Augusto Zanardi
Rotary Club of Curitiba-Cidade
Industrial (D4730, Brazil)
Paulo Augusto Zanardi has
been director of the transportation
company Zalog Operadora Logística
since 1984. He is also director of a
geophysical company called WS do
Brasil Inovações Tecnológicas Ltda.
A Rotarian since 1988, Zanardi has served Rotary
as RI president’s representative, zone coordinator,
Rotary Foundation alumni coordinator, PolioPlus
national adviser for Brazil, regional Rotary Foundation
coordinator, Council on Legislation representative,
RI training leader, and district governor. Zanardi has
received the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious
Service and Distinguished Service Award. He and his
wife, Luly, are Benefactors and Major Donors of the
Foundation.

Clubs and districts can now use Global Grants to build
low-cost shelters and simple schools, under a recent
policy change effective through 2019. The construction
must be part of a comprehensive project related to an
area of focus. (Projects that involve construction alone
are still not eligible for global grants.)
Please note that these structures are limited. Low-
cost shelters are intended to provide housing for the poor
or homeless. Simple schools provide modest buildings in
areas without nearby schools or where current ones are
overcrowded. Simple schools can also replace schools that
are structurally unsafe.
As part of this programme, clubs and districts can use
Global Grants to build additional classrooms on school
property as long as they are not attached to current
structures. For more, download the low-cost shelters and
simple school guidelines and application appendixes from
www.rotary.org.
GLOBAL GRANT POLICY CHANGE
Ron D Burton, Chair-elect 2017/18
Rotary Club of Norman (D5770,
USA)
Ron D Burton retired as president
of the University of Oklahoma
Foundation Inc. in 2007. He is a
member of the Cleveland County
and American bar associations and
is admitted to practice in Oklahoma and before the US
Supreme Court. He is a founder and past president of the
Norman Public School Foundation as well as founder and
past board member of the Norman Community Foundation.
Burton has been a Rotarian since 1979 and has served
RI as president, director, Foundation trustee and vice chair,
RI Board Executive Committee member, RI president’s
aide, committee vice chair and chair, task force member and
International Assembly group discussion leader, assistant
moderator and moderator. He has been a regional Rotary
Foundation coordinator (RRFC) and Permanent Fund
national adviser and has served as assistant moderator and
moderator of RRFC training institutes.
A recipient of RI’s Service Above Self Award, he has also
received The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious
Service, Distinguished Service Award and International
Service Award for a Polio-Free World.
Brenda M Cressey
Rotary Club of Paso Robles (D5240,
USA)
Brenda M Cressey is president
and CEO of Office Support Systems,
a telecommunications business in
Maine. She has served in many
volunteer capacities with civic
organisations such as the American Cancer Society.
ARotarian since 1989, Cressey has served as a regional
membership and Foundation coordinator, RRFC training
institute moderator, an Endowment Major Gift adviser,
Council on Legislation representative, RI president’s
representative, 2012 International Assembly executive
committee and partner moderator, RI training leader and
district governor. Cressey is a recipient of Rotary’s Service
Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation
for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award.
Brenda and her husband, Dick, are Major Donors, Bequest
and Paul Harris society members. They are also recent
inductees of the Arch Klumph Society.
KR Ravindran
Rotary Club of Colombo (D3220, Sri
Lanka)
K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran is CEO and
founder of a publicly listed company
with a worldwide clientele in printing,
packaging and pre-media solutions.
His company, Printcare PLC, is one
of the largest producers of tea bag packaging in the world
and is the winner of national and international awards of
excellence. He serves on the boards of several other
companies and charitable trusts in Sri Lanka and India. He
is the founding president of the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics
Association (a project of his club), the largest such body
in the country.
A Rotarian since 1973, Ravindran has served RI as
president, treasurer, director and Foundation trustee. As his
country’s national PolioPlus chair, Ravindran headed a task
force of representatives from the government, UNICEF and
Rotary, and worked closely with UNICEF to successfully
negotiate a cease-fire with the northern militants during
National Immunisation Days. After the tsunami of 2004,
which killed an estimated 35 000 people in his country, he
chaired the Schools Reawakening project, sponsored by
all the Rotary clubs in Sri Lanka, to build 25 new schools
to benefit 15 000 children at a cost of $12 000. In 2017
his government conferred on him the title of Sri Lanka
Sikhamani (Jewel of Sri Lanka).
Michael F Webb
Rotary Club of Mendip (D1200,
England)
Mike Webb is a Fellow of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales and senior partner
in an accounting practice in the City
of Wells, in southwest England. He is
also involved locally and nationally as treasurer and trustee
of a number of charitable and sports organisations.
A Rotarian since 1976, Webb has served Rotary
International as director, RI president’s representative,
committee member and chair, vice chair for the 2016
Council on Legislation and the Council on Resolutions, RI
training leader and district governor. He has served Rotary
International in Great Britain and Ireland as treasurer and
president.
Webb and his wife, Alison, are Major Donors and Paul
Harris Fellows, and he is a member of the Bequest Society.
TRUSTEES

Inspiring Thousands To Serve Millions is the Rotarians for
Family Health and AIDS Prevention (RFHA) slogan and nowhere
is that more true than in the case of Rotary Family Health Days.
From the first event that reached 38 000 people in 2011 to
nearly half a million people being reached in five countries in
2016, Rotary Family Health Days is an example of a project that
has already grown beyond all expectations.
South Africa hosts Rotary Family Health Days for the fifth
consecutive year in 2017. The event will take place from 3 - 5
October and this year, the aim is to bring free health services to
a record 100 000 people.
The project was started and managed by RFHA in partnership
with the National Department of Health and Rotary clubs in
South Africa. Rotary Family Health Days is also supported by
Gilead Sciences, PEPFAR, Caxton, the SABC Foundation, Alere
and numerous support media houses. This year, the Gift of
the Givers Foundation and the University of Johannesburg’s
Community Engagement will join the partnership.
Rotary Family Health Days offers free health services and
vital screenings to underserved communities. These include HIV
counselling and testing, screening for TB, diabetes, high blood
pressure and cholesterol as well as Vitamin A supplementation
and various immunisations.
This year, the National Department of Health is focusing on
the She Conquers campaign. The campaign was implemented
to empower and support adolescent girls and young women.
It was born from evidence that suggests a disproportionate
burden of HIV among 15-24 year old adolescent girls and
young women in South Africa. UNAIDS has estimated that there
are almost 2 000 new HIV infections among adolescent girls
and young women aged 15-24 years each week. The RFHDs
will support the campaign.
RFHD has been so successful in South Africa that the
programme is now being rolled out in other African countries
and India. At the 2017 Rotary International Convention in
Atlanta, Foundation Trustee Chair, Kalyan Banerjee, cited the
RFHD in his address on the impact of the Foundation “... here
is another number to consider - 423 795 – that is how many
people received free health care in the Rotary Family Health
Days in Ghana, India, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda in
2016. When this programme started in 2011, only 38 000
people were treated in only two countries. But that is how it
is with many successful Rotary Foundation projects they grow
and expand affecting more and more people every year.”
None of this can happen without all the partners who donate
their services and more importantly, the help of volunteers who
give up their time to make a difference. RFHD needs assistance
at each of its planned sites across South Africa. If you would
like to volunteer at this, a huge public/private partnership
with an impressive track record, visit our website at www.
rfhdsouthafrica.org.
With so many thousands inspired, we are confident that
millions across the world will be served by future Rotary Family
Health Days.
JOIN US!
Advertorial
Rotarians for Family Health
& Aids Prevention, Inc.
3 - 5 October 2017
The 5th consecutive year of Rotary Family Health Days
Join me, Refilwe Shuping of the National Department of Health
And join us, Catherine MacMillan, DGE Gianna Doubell (Eastern
Cape, D9370) and DGE Charles Deiner (Nelspruit, D9400)
Join us, Ruth Stuart-Thompson (Haenertsburg), Rotaractor Wisdom
Mudzhidzhidzhi (UJ Community Engagement), Sue Paget, Rotarian
Fungi Nquana, coordinator of the Mpumalanga launch site.
Join us, PP Annemarie Mostert, Sue Paget (RFHD southern Africa
programme director and global programme advisor and Rotaractors
from the University of Johannesburg

The Rotary Club of Waterfront (D9350) made a
special presentation to Past District Governor
Dennis Figov recognising his remarkable record of
100 percent attendance of Rotary meetings during
60 consecutive years of Rotary service in Zambia
and Cape Town. DG Ian Pursch presented a special
certificate to PDG Dennis.
Dennis was conceived in Ndola in 1932 although he
was delivered in South Africa. His father, Harry, was
born in England where Dennis’ grandfather settled after
fleeing from Poland. The Figov family was well known in
Zambia, especially in Luanshya, for their benevolence.
They assisted numerous men, women and children
in various ways through their involvement in charity
work for a few decades. Dennis worked in his uncle’s
auction mart where he became an auctioneer - and
that remains his Rotary classification. In 1956, Dennis
married Maureen.
Caring for humanity was ingrained in Dennis and
he joined the Rotary Club of Luanshya in 1957. He
served his club as treasurer for many years and also
served three terms as president (1964/65, 1978/79 and
1986/87).
His community service was not limited to Rotary.
Dennis served his community as a town councillor and
had the never to be repeated distinction of serving his
Northern Rhodesian town as mayor and representative
of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. After independence,
Northern Rhodesia became Zambia and Dennis
became mayor under the regime of President Kenneth
Kaunda. In recognition of their many contributions to the
community, President Kaunda bestowed on Dennis and
Maureen the Zambian Order of Distinguished Service
Second Division.
When Rotary embarked on PolioPlus, the very
ambitious programme to eradicate the crippling and
often fatal disease from the face of earth, Dennis
became very involved in the programme and headed up
the Zambian initiatives. His dedication was recognised
when he received the Rotary International Award for a
Polio Free World.
During the year 1989/90, Dennis became district
governor of what was then known as District 921.
The district consisted of Botswana, Comoro Islands,
Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia. There were 32
clubs with nearly 1 000 members. During his long and
illustrious Rotary career, Dennis has been recognised
five times as a Paul Harris Fellow and thus wears the
PHF lapel pin with four sapphires.
As a well-respected and popular member, it was no
surprise that while hospitalised after a serious motor
accident, his fellow Rotarians decided to hold their club
meeting in his hospital ward to allow him to maintain his
perfect attendance record.
During the 1993/94 year, Rotary International
bestowed on Dennis the Service Above Self Award
which is its highest honour for service. This Award is
limited to only 150 Rotarians around the world each
year.
After retiring to Cape Town in 2006, Dennis joined
the Rotary Club of Waterfront where he continues to
take part in most of the club projects. He also regularly
attends the meetings of the Rotary Club of Sea Point.
PDG Dennis Figov receiving the special certificate from then DG Ian Pursch.
60 YEARS & YET TO MISS A MEETING!

If you have not yet booked for this wonderful event, you must do so now. Time is running out!
The Rotary Zone 20A Institute will be held over three days from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th September
and the theme is “World Peace through Understanding”. It will be preceded by two days of training for
District Governors Elect, Nominees and their partners, as well as the District Membership Chairs.
The Institute will be held at the Misty Hills County Hotel and Conference Centre in Muldersdrift, west of
Johannesburg. The venue is an hour’s drive from OR Tambo Airport mostly on highways and 15 minutes’
drive from Lanseria airport. Bus transport will be arranged for delegates between the airports and hotel.
For Rotarians who are unable to attend the full three days of the Institute, there will be a Saturday only
registration. This will enable a delegate to attend the final two plenary sessions on Saturday morning, the
Exhibition in the afternoon and the Gala Banquet in the evening.
IMPORTANT WEBSITES for Rotary Zone 20A Institute in JOHANNESBURG
TO REGISTER:
http://www.rotaryinstitute2017-joburgrsa.org.za
TO BOOK ACCOMMODATION AT THE CONFERENCE VENUE:
http://www.rotaryinstitute2017-joburgrsa.org.za/skin/867/Accom.pdf
TO BOOK ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION:
www.booking.com/Muldersdrift/
TO FIND OUT IF YOU NEED A VISA:
http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/countries-exempt-from-sa-visas

Dream makers (more commonly known as
Rotarians) from the Rotary Club of Jeffreys
Bay (D9370) have helped propel a group
of youngsters from Humansdorp towards
stardom.
The Flame Boyz had a modest start two years
ago but this year, the group successfully auditioned
to participate in the TV show, SA’s Got Talent. The
national talent show is currently being broadcast
Trust is not a short-term prospect
Inspire action!
www.salvationarmy.org.za
The group has been sponsored
and supported by the Rotary Club of Jeffreys Bay.
The Rotarians have enjoyed being part the exciting
journey from small town singers to reality talent show
contestants.
Jeffreys Bay’s Flame Boyz
are living the dream,
fuelled by Rotary
SHINING
BRIGHT

projects
on eTV.
Louise Bakkes, a member of the
Rotary Club of Jeffreys Bay (D9370),
first saw the energetic mimic and body
movement group at a performance
at Humansdorp Secondary School in
2015. She immediately realised they
had star potential.
Lousie felt that with the correct
management, mentoring and support
the group would go far. She devoted
herself to the task. The Flame Boys
matched her enthusiasm and after
much hard work, the group successfully
performed at various functions and was
also invited to perform at the Boardwalk
in Port Elizabeth.
The Rotary Club of Jeffreys Bay
proudly sponsors the group and was
thrilled when it was announced that
the group had won a place in SA’s Got
Talent. The youngsters had to travel to
Cape Town for the show and thankfully,
the Rotary Club of Newlands and then-
President Christopher Beech assisted
the Jeffreys Bay club to arrange
accommodation at Groote Schuur High
The journey to audition and
participate in SA’s Got Talent
was a dream come true for the
group. However, not everything
they do is aimed at fame and
fortune. These hip youngsters
are ready to lend a hand where
they can and have become role
models for young people in their
community. More recently, the
Flame Boyz have been helping
the Kings College learners
prepare their annual concert.

School for the group.
What impressed the members of
the Rotary Club of Jeffreys Bay is that
the young performers spend their free
time practicing in a backyard on mobile
music. By doing so, they avoid contact
with criminal elements, drugs and other
negative influences which many other
young people are exposed to.
Louise dreams of opening an arts,
dance and music school in Humansdorp
to give other talented youngsters the
chance to empower themselves. She
hopes to support the development of the
arts among the youth as she feels that the
development of the arts is important in a
diverse society.
At last, the day that we had waited so long for was just hours away
and we were ready to leave for Cape Town and our SA’s Got Talent
audition. The next morning we packed into our little minibus and
said farewell to Humansdorp.
We travelled on the N2 through the Garden Route and visited
many interesting places that we had only heard of; breakfast was
enjoyed at Tsitsikamma Forest, we visited the Khoi Village at
Bloukrans and for the very first time, set foot on Western Cape soil.
We felt like pioneers as we marvelled over the views of Plettenberg
Bay and the Knysna Heads, while learning all the town names so
that we can tell our friends of everything we saw.
The highlight was looking down over Cape Town from Sir
Lowrys Pass. The size of the Cape Peninsula was overwhelming.
We made our way to our hostel accommodation in Newlands (near
the Newlands Rugby Stadium) where the auditions were held. The
next day was even more exciting and nerve wracking as we slowly
moved along in the queue to audition – but our performance was
flawless!
The afternoon was spent at the V&A Waterfront where we
enjoyed all the street performers. We experienced our very first
boat ride and caught a glimpse of Robben Island. It was definitely a
ride to be remembered and recommended!
We spent Sunday morning on Table Mountain and there was
only one way we could describe it: WOW! We could not resist doing
a dance routine on top of the mountain and as it was also Mothers’
Day, took photos and sent the picture to our moms!
We were sad to leave on Monday and travelled home via Route
62. The Hugenote Tunnel left us speechless. We drove through
the Karoo and noticed the vast difference between the areas.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we did not visit the ostrich
farms but we saw many of them around Oudtshoorn.
Our school friends and family loved hearing the stories about
our adventures and there were many to tell!
We will always be grateful to everyone who made it possible.
You changed our lives forever and that will never be forgotten.
Thank you,
The crew of The Flame Boyz
From Kouga to Cape Town- a Flame Boyz adventure!
The FlameBoyz represented the Kouga Region at the Amaphuth’ahlathi-Nye All Arts Festival in
Grahamstown in June. Below: Exploring the sites of Cape Town.

It was an emotional moment for all who watched
young Samuel McIntosh cross the finish line of
the 2017 Rotary K2C Cycle Tour. The young rider
had shown tremendous courage and stamina as
he cycled nearly 100 kilometres with his dad Cleve,
his friend Hope Sibuye and 17 other riders through
some of the Lowveld’s best-known private game
reserves.
His mother hugged him, Rotarians from the Rotary
Club of Hoedspruit (D9400) cheered. The other cyclists
gathered to give him high fives and hugs to celebrate
not just his achievement, but their own too.
This year 100 riders took part in the annual cycle
tour. The riders were divided into five groups and each
group was accompanied by three game guides. All the
guides were experienced in big game encounters.
“It’s an incredible feeling to finish a cycle ride like
this,” said guide Joris Bertens, who completed the tour
for the third time.
The tour started near the Kruger National Park’s
Orpen Gate and ended at the Blyde River Canyon. It
traversed the diverse and beautiful terrain and took
the riders over tracks and routes that are usually
inaccessible to the public. Riders could encounter all
kinds of wildlife at any point during the course of the
day.
Sending people into Big Five territory on a bicycle
was no small undertaking and the safety of riders was
a priority, said club spokesperson, Lovelle Henderson.
Each group of riders had two lead guides who were
armed with rifles and radios. A support rider at the back
kept each group together and each of the pelotons was
tailed by a vehicle that carried water and spare parts
for the bikes. There were also emergency vehicles
stationed along the route.
“That private reserves in the Lowveld have come
together to approve a trans-traverse of their properties
for a cycling event is really special and we are so
grateful,” said President Rose White of the Rotary Club
of Hoedspruit. With Timbavati, Thornybush, Kapama
and Blue Canyon Game Reserves on board there is
currently no other cycling event in South Africa which
can rival what the K2C Cycle Tour can offer.
The limited entry-race once again attracted a wide
range of cycling enthusiasts, from seasoned locals to
visitors from further afield. All 100 spots were quickly
filled, with many repeat riders having immediately
booked their places after the spectacular 2016 event
which saw cyclists enjoying amazing encounters with
elephants and a herd of more than a thousand buffalo.
“Today we saw buffalo, hippo and a bunch of other
animals,” confirmed Samuel who, as the tour’s youngest
rider had never ridden that far before or through Big Five
territory. His peloton just missed the herd of elephant
that delayed the group behind them but nonetheless,
enjoyed plenty of memorable sightings.
“This tour remains one of a kind and is growing
from strength-to-strength,” said outgoing President
Humphrey Couch whose wife Sherry completed the
tour for the first time this year. Extremely proud of both
her and the club, he noted that “this event exhibits true
Rotarian spirit. It fosters goodwill, raises funds and
supports issues that affect us and our community - it
benefits everyone who is involved.”
RIDING ON THE WILD SIDE
The 2017 Hoedspruit Rotary K2C Cycle Tour
Photo: Andriette van der Merwe

With breakfast, lunch and
numerous water points along
the way, the riders were well
nourished and remained
hydrated throughout the day.
They enjoyed a comfortable
pace of about 15 kilometres an
hour and covered an amazing
amount of ground.
“To cycle with a group like
this is really uplifting,” said guide
Ashraf Sayed. “It was brutal
in places but so rewarding,
especially at the end. I love the
camaraderie that developed;
that feeling that you can ride into
anything and the freedom that
comes with letting your mind
wander as you cycle.”
The fact that the event
raised money for several worthy
causes is the cherry on top for
many. Funds raised from the
entry fee will go towards various
anti-poaching and community
support initiatives.
With the 2017 event
complete, planning has already
begun for July 2018, when a
minimum age limit of 16 will be
imposed.
The unique ride through
private game reserves has
become incredibly popular.
Photos: Mark Lotwis

Rotary clubs from Districts 1610 (Netherlands),
1260 and 1130 (United Kingdom) partnered with the
Rotary Club of Rosebank (D9400) to establish the
Bophelo Home-Based Palliative Care project.
Palliative care is an approach that aims to improve
the quality of life of patients and their families facing
problems associated with life-threatening and terminal
illnesses. This is achieved by preventing and relieving
the suffering of these patients through the early
identification, assessment and treatment of pain and
other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems.
The project was established by PP Frank Taylor of
the Rotary Club of Hatfield (D1260) whose passion for
palliative care projects was inspired by the philanthropic
zeal for home-based palliative care of Dr Lindi van
Niekerk, a South African Rotary Ambassadorial
Scholar. He had completed the successful introduction
of a palliative care programme in the Western Cape and
decided to turn his attention to the third largest hospital
in the world, the 3 000-bed Chris Hani Baragwanath
Academic Hospital (CHBAH).
He contacted his SouthAfrican friend PP Brian Leech
of Rosebank. The two retired engineers had previously
worked together on three sustainable water projects
that were funded by Matching Grants and delivered by
the Rosebank and Hatfield clubs. The president-elect at
the time and former Director General Health Services
(NPA), Dr Neville Howes, supported involvement in a
project to strengthen access to palliative care in the
public sector.
Rotarian James Croswell met with Dr Charmaine
Blanchard, director of the Centre of Excellence for
Palliative Care (CEPC) at CHBAH. The centre is the
leader in Palliative Care in South Africa and conducts
clinical, health systems and policy research to support
the development and implementation of a national
framework for public sector palliative care.
This unit sees some 500 renal outpatients per month
and provides an acute haemodialysis service for those
admitted with acute renal failure, as well as a chronic
dialysis service to some 150 patients at any one time.
Pre and post-kidney transplantation patients are also
cared for.
Sadly, the high costs and limited availability of
dialysis to patients in developing countries means that
only a small proportion of those who would benefit from
dialysis can receive this treatment. As a result, many
patients must be managed with supportive therapy,
which until now was provided solely at the Hospital
Renal Outpatients Department. Without sufficient
preparation for the inevitable deterioration and death,
families and patients were left to cope the best they
could, which often meant repeated admissions to
hospital and eventual death in hospital.
The situation of not being able to access life-
saving procedures or being removed from a life-saving
programme, was extremely distressing to the patients
and their families. As these patients would benefit from
a holistic palliative care programme, a decision was
taken to support the Gauteng Centre of Excellence
for Palliative Care and the Renal Unit at Chris Hani
Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The project was
designed to assist patients who became eligible for
inclusion in the programme after identification at the
renal clinic and in the wards at CHBAH.
Although the centre had a successful model of
hospital-based palliative care and outreach services
into the community, there was no renal outreach
palliative care to patients and their families. Dr
Charmaine Blanchard agreed to join the project that
The Pastoral and Spiritual Care training manual is based on the model developed by PDG Debbie Hodge
(D1260, England), with input from Dr Blanchard. At the presentation of the manual are Amanda Ferris, Dr
Blanchard holding the training manual, PDG Debbie Hodge and President Neville Howes.
GAME CHANGING PROJECT

would address this need. As the project was run within
the regulations applicable to the Baragwaneth Hospital,
it would also become the ideal programme from which
to collect data for the reports that would be submitted
to Rotary International and which could also be used to
inform policy and improve interventions as the centre’s
response to the WHO Resolution on Palliative Care was
underway.
As there was a clear need to expand palliative
care to end-stage renal failure patients at CHBAH, the
project was awarded a $98 000 Rotary Global Grant.
James Croswell, President Dr Neville Howes and
PP Mark Franklin (Rosebank) and PP Frank Taylor
(Hatfield, D1260) led the project. PDG Debbie Hodge
(D1260) led the contribution on pastoral and spiritual
care, which was one of the defining components of the
palliative care model that was developed for the project.
Its budget provided for a team of two nurses, spiritual
counsellor and a social auxiliary worker and team
driver. A doctor, employed by the hospital and seven
volunteer spiritual counsellors, supported the team. The
staff salaries, extensive training and support resources
such as cell phone and a computer were part of the
budget. A vehicle was procured to facilitate home visits.
A further 39 volunteers, from different denominations in
Soweto, were identified by Mark Franklin and received
training. This enabled the centre to have access to
spiritual counselling for all patients enrolled in the
Bophelo Project.
In March 2015, PP Frank Taylor and PDG Debbie
Hodge visited South Africa to assist in designing a
detailed project with measurable goals together with
plans, timelines and costs. Rosebank arranged a visit
to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital during
which PP Frank presented more than 70 syringe drivers
(collected by several Rotary clubs from District 1260)
to Ms Duduzile Ngidi, the Director of Nursing Services.
PP Peter James Smith arranged for PDG Debbie,
an expert in spiritual care counselling and a Director
of Chaplaincy in the United Kingdom, to give a radio
interview on the relevance of palliative care in Global
Health. She also gave a presentation “Spirituality and
Bereavement in end of life care” to the staff at the centre.
It was established that there was a need to strengthen
spiritual care intervention to address the management
of “total pain” as pain does not only present as a physical
manifestation but it is also experienced on emotional,
social, cultural and spiritual levels.
During April 2016, PDG Debbie Hodge returned
to lead the five-day training course on Pastoral and
Spiritual Care. She was supported by Dr Blanchard
and Reverend Amanda Ferris a Hospice Chaplain from
Hertfordshire, UK.
By supporting the Chris Hani BaragwanathAcademic
Hospital, the clubs have freed up much-needed hospital
beds and reduced the hospitals expenses. The hospital
was able to redirect these savings to other pressing
needs. Patients with end-stage renal failure not only
benefited from the medical care but also enjoyed an
improved quality of life. They were saved the expense,
discomfort and stress of travelling to the hospital and
the subsequent admission. Families were able to spend
more time together as the patients were not removed
from their communities.
This project helped develop evidence on the
effectiveness of palliative care in public health thereby
focusing policy making decisions on and adding support
to the development of a national policy for the public
sector provision of palliative care. The newly drafted
Policy Framework and Strategy for Palliative Care
(NPFSPC) adopted the interdisciplinary intervention
model which included spiritual care as a component of
health care.
As the project was instrumental in the introduction of
spiritual counsellors as a vital component of palliative
care, Rotary will continue to be mentioned when
discussing models of care for palliative care, for years
to come.
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It was like a scene from a movie
as gale force winds propelled an
inferno through the Garden Route
in June. The coastal town of Knysna
was the most severely affected by
the wild fires.
In Knysna, formal and informal
suburbs were destroyed. While few
suburbs were spared, many individual
homes within each affected suburb
were not burnt. Seven people died and
more than 8 000 were left homeless.
President of the Rotary Club of
Knysna (D9350), Doug Emanuel
(president-elect at the time), reported
that the club’s members escaped the
fires of 7 June unharmed.
“While most of the fires had been
brought under control by Friday 9
June, high winds on Saturday caused
many fires to reignite, especially on
the western side of town. Brenton and
Buffalo Bay areas were in the way of
the flames and were evacuated. It is
not known if any homes were burnt. In
Knysna itself, many residents, including
all the patients from the Epilepsy
Centre were evacuated for the second
time.” By Sunday most of the fires were
extinguished or under control.
Fires also flared up in Port Elizabeth,
Sedgefield and in Plettenberg Bay.
South Africans were spurred to
action as they watched news reports
and saw social media posts being
made by the residents of Knysna
begging for help, evacuation or word
of a loved one. There were times when
firefighters had been working for more
than 30 hours without a break.
Help quickly began to flow to the
town. Social media exploded with posts
from those nearby who were safe from
the fires and offering refuge to anyone
who needed it. Homes and farms
were opened. Shelter was offered for
traumatised children and animals. A
kennel and cattery in George sent three
bakkies and a trailer loaded with travel
boxes to collect animals that needed
rescue or refuge.
People and businesses reacted with
love and kindness and soon donations
were flowing into the town.
The fires were fought by the largest
deployment of firefighters in South
Africa. Around 1 000 firefighters, 78
vehicles, 10 helicopters and two fixed
winged aircraft were used to combat
the fires that held the town hostage for
six days.
Volunteer rescue workers from
across the country were among those
who fought the fires – many of whom
heard of the fires, gathered their gear
and paid their own way to Knysna.
Stories of large groups of firefighters
gathering at various airports to fly to the
area began to emerge. Others climbed
into their vehicles and drove as quickly
as they could to help the town.
The NSRI deployed its craft to
rescue residents from piers and the
shoreline after the fires cut off all
other escape routes. Some of these
volunteers were rescuing their families
and friends.
It is estimated that the fire caused
about R5 billion damage and many
people have lost their jobs. The
Minister of Economic Opportunities,
Alan Winde, told eNCAthat as many as
“300 to 400 beds in the tourism industry
have been lost but there are still 4 000
beds available in Knysna. That’s the
lifeblood of this town.”
However, with the support received
and determination of the residents,
Knysna is rebuilding and rising from the
ashes.
THE ROTARY RESPONSE
Donations began arriving as quickly as people could get
them to Knysna and the Rotary Club of Knysna’s members
were on hand to help at aid distribution points. The club
formed a fire relief subcommittee and an associated fund, to
manage and finance specific needs as they were identified.
A representative of the committee was chosen to attend
the municipal disaster management meetings to guide the
subcommittee decision making. The club has focussed
on funding building materials to assist reconstruction
of dwellings in informal settlements. Kits, containing all
materials for easy erection of small houses, are a particular
focus at present but not yet approved. Other needs will be
identified and addressed as the relief efforts proceed.
IAN PURSCH
District 9350 governor (2016/17)
“Our local clubs have been tirelessly helping with the
immediate relief efforts and we are very proud of all the
Rotarians and friends involved.
“On behalf of the Rotary Club of Knysna I write to express
huge gratitude to the many clubs and individuals who have
made it their business to support them with donations and
with practical assistance. Substantial funds have been
donated and there have been many examples of caring
donations and projects from our clubs: Oudtshoorn sent
clothing, Beaufort West set up a Facebook donations page
and George began getting meat and ingredient donations
KNYSNA: BURNT BUT NOT BEATEN
Reportbacks

I think my mother, who will be 97 later this year, may
be the oldest person evacuated from her home during
the Knysna fires. Her story has a lot of chapters and
she was rescued in stages by many kind and heroic
strangers, each doing their bit.
My mother lives in the care centre of a local retirement
village and the only road to it was cut off by huge walls of
flames.They were stuck on the Belvidere/Brenton peninsula
and the care centre staff successfully evacuated them to a
communal hall at Brenton-on-Sea. Next they were moved to
the Brenton Hotel, where the frailest patients were put into
bedrooms and everyone got tea and soup.
Soon the hotel was in the path of the approaching inferno
and everyone had to be evacuated to Brenton Beach. It was
dark, there was a raging storm with icy gale force winds,
sand stinging them and all the surrounding hills alight.
They were carried down the steep path by hotel staff and
Working On Fire volunteers in hammocks that were hastily-
made from hotel linen and given hotel blankets to try and
keep warm. Soon, they were joined by other evacuees.
The quick-thinking hotel receptionist contacted 4x4
owners to ask for help. The owners drove at breakneck
speed along the beach from Buffalo Bay to collect as many
people as they could, including the frail old people with their
wheel chairs, oxygen cylinders and all their gear.
After arriving safely in Sedgefield where other volunteers
had set up an emergency base, they were directed to
comfortable beds for the night, mostly in private homes.
My mom and some of the other frail residents and nursing
staff were taken to the Masithandane Respite Home, a new
facility that recently opened in Sedgefield. It was midnight
by then.
She remained there for 2 days and nights, until they had
to be evacuated again when fires raged closer to Sedgefield.
This time they moved to Astral Bed and Breakfast in
Wilderness, where they have been kept comfortable by the
nursing staff who had been devoted in their care. For the
next 10 days, the kind and wonderful owners saw to their
needs. I cannot begin to thank all the wonderful guardian
angels who assisted my mom and many others like her. It is
a miracle that she is around to tell her story.
The next day a blackboard outside Pembry’s on the
Belvidere Road said: It is the end of a chapter, but not of the
book. How true.
Surrounded by fire, residents and evacuees wait for help on the beach near Brenton. In the distance are
the headlights of approaching 4x4s that rushed to the beach to collect the evacuees who were sick, frail
or disabled. Photo: Rotarian Henry Fairweather
and sending cooked meals through.
“We have not forgotten that the Rotary Club of
Plettenberg Bay also has needs as they assist their
community, which was also badly affected, and the Rotary
Club of Knysna will liaise with them to assist where possible
using some of the funds received.
“We are also very grateful to our neighbouring Districts
9370 and 9400 for their great assistance. It has been heart-
warming to see the wonderful response of the Rotary family
to this real and sudden disaster. Thank you all so very
much.”
BRUCE STEELE-GRAY
The D9370 District Disaster Fund raised more than
R700 000 to support the victims of the fires in the area from
Knysna back along the coast towards the van Stadens
area. The district liaised with DG Ian Pursch and President
Mick Furman of Knysna who will provide a structured report
on where, how and why the money should go so that we
can evaluate the needs and make sensible decisions.
GRANT DALY
“Regarding the response by the clubs in District 9400
I am very proud to say that our clubs donated collectively
R360 000 plus clothes and so forth. In addition District 9400
donated 500 blankets.”
For more on the relief and rebuilding efforts or to make
donations see www.knysnafirerelief.com. The Rotary Club
of Knysna supports Knysna Fire Relief.
For 24 hours, Past President Lesley Satchel’s mother, Grace MacDonald, (who was a Rotary Ann in the 1970s) was unaccounted until she
found a phone and called her daughter. A nurse told PP Lesley that her mother was safe at Masithandane Service Centre in Sedgefield.
MANY KIND AND HEROIC STRANGERS

Unfortunately, a nasty element appeared in the wake of the
fires. Destructive lies* and unchecked ‘facts’ were spread
via social media and apparently picked up and reported by
some of the media.
Naturally, this caused concern among donors and potential
donors, many of whom reconsidered assisting the victims.
Thanks to President Doug Emanuel and the SouthAfrican Police
Service, a few of these lies have been identified as such. We
decided to share them to end some of the concerns we have
seen and heard.
• Arson has not been confirmed although it remains a
possibility. The alleged arrest of two people carrying petrol
cans was a lie
• No relief trucks were highjacked. Some were turned
around, temporarily, due to the dense smoke
• The golf club did not burn down. The social media photos
of it burning were from 10 years ago
• The historic Anglican Church in Belvidere did not burn
down
* Editor: I refuse to use the term “Fake News” as I feel this
term trivialises the serious and deplorable nature of a lie and
makes lying more ‘palatable’ to the general public. I believe
that doing so is acting without integrity. Rotary and the origins
of journalism share common ground - both value integrity,
honesty, truth and ethical behaviour. I will demean neither by
allowing the term “Fake News” to be used in Rotary Africa,
unless it is in my column to condemn its use. This is the first
and last time that the term will appear on these pages.
LET’S NOT DETRACT ATTENTION FROM THE VICTIMS
With just nine members, the Rotary Club of Aliwal North (D9370) is proof that sometimes, less is more!
The club donated R129 930 in cash to assist the Knysna victims. As if the financial contribution was not
enough, the Rotarians spent a day and a half packing 96 boxes and a double volume trailer full of clothing
to ship to Knysna. The donations were collected in Aliwal North, Lady Grey, Jamestown and Rouxville
and filled two bakkies and two trailers. President Martin Nel said that the value of the donated goods was
probably in the region of R100 000. Above: President Martin Nel with Kishore Vashani (secretary) and some
of the boxes.
The Rotary Club of Edenvale (D9400)
collected aid for the victims of the fires
that swept through Knysna in June. New
Turf Carriers was eager to assist the club
transported the donations to Knysna.
The Rotary Club of George’s
(D9350) contribution to the
relief efforts for the Knysna
fire victims was quick and
focused. The club purchased
two bakkie loads of warm
secondhand clothes from
the George SPCA shop. The
purchase helped the SPCA
finance rescue operations
for animals caught in the
disaster. The club worked
with the mayor of George
and Marius van der Colff
(George Super Kitchens)
to provide hot meals for the fireman and victims. Marius and
his team cooked the food, the club helped finance it and the
mayor arranged its transport to the areas where the food was
most needed. “We estimate that about 10 000 hot meals were
provided during the week after the disaster. Funds have poured
in from generous donors and our club has put this to good use.
We are currently investigating setting up a Food Bank of 3 000
to 4 000 frozen meals that would be available within hours of
any similar disaster occurring,” said President Simon Swan.
OVER R200K AID TO KNYSNA - RAISED BY 9 MEMBERS

By PDG Lee-Ann Shearing
This year, the District 9210 Conference was held
at the Elephant Hills Resort Hotel in Victoria Falls
(one of the seven natural wonders of the world)
and its theme was “The family of Rotary together
serving humanity.” In keeping with the ideals of the
theme the decision was made that we would have
speakers and facilitators from Rotary only.
Our Rotary President’s Personal Representative was
RIDN David Stovall who was accompanied by his wife
DG Kim Waters of District 6910 North Georgia.
The conference kicked off with welcome cocktails
on Wednesday 3 May. The following morning was our
district assembly which was followed by lunch and a
moving opening ceremony.
The Mayor of Victoria Falls, His Worship Sifiso Mpofu
(an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Victoria
Falls) opened the conference. The flags were carried
by our Youth Exchange Students and Rotaractors
who were accompanied by EarlyActors. Immediately
afterwards, the RIPPR, three current DGs and other
PDGs planted six trees on the hotel’s golf course to
commemorate 100 years of the Rotary Foundation and
the District conference.
With the pomp and ceremony over, it was time for fun
and we gathered that evening at the world famous Boma
restaurant for an African Safari evening. Drumming,
dancing and loads of hilarity were the order of the night!
DGE Larry Mapani was ‘kidnapped’ by warriors and the
diners could not take their seats until the ceremony was
performed!
On Friday morning we highlighted some of the
projects taking place in our district. The projects selected
were those that could be easily emulated in all the
countries of D9210. These included:
• The Rotary Club of Bulawayo’s sign language
project that has taught the parents and educators
of deaf children as well as members of the police
force and other uniformed branches to sign and
every member of this Rotary club is learning to
sign as well.
• The health for all initiative by the Rotary Club of
Nkwazi has taught educators to work with local
clinics and staff to recognise illnesses in children.
This will assist in ensuring children receive medical
assistance earlier.
• The Youth4Youth programme from the Rotary
Club of Borrowdale Brooke where children at
orphanages were taught to play classical music.
• The Rotary Club of Chimoio’s eco-toilet project.
• The Rotary Club of Harare The Bridge’s Hippo
Barrels project that makes it easier for rural people
to transport water.
• The Rotary Club of Matopos’ Baby Heroes
project that ensures that premature babies get
the equipment necessary for their survival and
provides the mothers with gift packs of necessities.
• The Rotary Club of Limbe’s many global grants
and club to club projects which will hopefully
inspire other clubs to do more and be more.
FAMILY TIME AT 9210 DISCON
Clockwise from above left: DGE Larry Mapani being “kidnapped” by warriors at the African Safari evening.
Rotarian of the Year President Elect John Kanenugo Rotary Club of Nkwazi DRR Martin Mavesera and
DG Lee-Ann Shearing. The Rotaractors decorated the masks worn at the Governors banquet and the money
raised from their sale will help fund the Rotaract 50/50 project that aims to celebrate 50 years of Rotaract by
sinking 50 boreholes in the district.

The afternoon sessions took the form of discussions
covering topics such as leadership development, ethics
in Rotary and youth exchange. Separate breakaway
sessions were also held.
The evening event was held next to the hotel’s pool
and was dedicated to celebrating 100 years of the Rotary
Foundation. The beautiful cake with the centennial logo
and the four flags of the countries in the district was
made and decorated by the wife of a Rotarian in Victoria
Falls – definitely keeping to the theme of the family of
Rotary!
Many Rotarians were recognised as Paul Harris
Fellows at this event and a painting by well-known
wildlife artist, Tammy Pohl, was auctioned and raised
$630 for the Rotary Foundation.
Running concurrently with the Rotary conference
was also the Rotaract conference andAnn’s conference.
Our Rotaractors opted to dedicate one day to personal
development. This included serious subjects such as
mental health, ethics of leadership and financial literacy.
The Anns had their own assembly. They were
addressed by Rotarian Pippa Steele-Gray, wife of DG
Bruce Steele-Gray from District 9370, and visited by
RIPPR David, Kim and myself. Two of the highlights of
the Ann’s conference were the exchanging of gifts and
the project visit to provide stationery to an ECD class at
Lesedi School in Victoria Falls.
Saturday morning was about the youth and wonderful
presentations were given by the Rotaractors, Interactors,
Youth Exchange students and EarlyActors.
On Saturday afternoon the inaugural Bill Green Golf
tournament was held. It is a tradition for our district
to host a golf competition for Rotarians. This year
the Rotary Club of Harare West donated a shield to
celebrate the long life of one of its most admired and
beloved members, the late Bill Green, who passed away
at the age of 104. The shield was won by the Rotary
Club of Harare City team.
As is customary on Saturday evening, the district
governor hosted a banquet and this year the theme was
a masked ball.
Trophies for the president of the year, assistant
governor of the year, district committee chair of the year
and Rotarian of the year were presented and the district
Rotaract chair shared the stage with me for the Rotaract
awards.
Clock wise from top left: The “official transportation” of PDGs Nimrod Kapwele and Stella Dongo by
“chauffeur” DG Lee-Ann Shearing. RIPPR David Stovall and the Rotaractors take a selfie at the Rotaract
conference. Some of the Anns with the gifts they exchanged. RIPPR David and Kim Stovall,
DG Lee-Ann Shearing and Andy House cutting the centennial cake.

By DG Grant Daly
Thursday, 22nd June marked the final day of
preparations and dealing with last minute glitches
before we headed off to Bolivia Lodge for our
District 9400 Conference.
After arriving at Bolivia Lodge, the first thing on our
agenda was to meet and greet everyone. It was also the
first time we got to meet our RIPPR, PRID and PTRF
Trustee Jackson Hsieh and his lovely wife, Juliet. They
were so impressed with the Mitchell House choir that
they moved to the beat and raved about the experience.
The conference opened with the flag ceremony,
the anthems of our four countries and the PDG grand
entrance.
I had the pleasure to welcome everyone and PRID
Jackson gave his opening address. Charter President
Damian Lahoud told how Rotaractors were instrumental
in chartering the Rotary Club of Midrand NexGen.
Next up were the exchange students who shared their
experiences and perceptions of the Youth Exchange
programme.
The keynote speaker was Professor Adam Habib
from Wits University who gave an interesting take on
the #FeesMustFall campaign that recently spread
across South Africa.
PHD Rotary Scholar Chad Anderson spoke about
his studies and how he is developing a children’s song
to assist with malaria awareness among the children
who are most vulnerable to the disease.
After lunch a fellow Rotarian, Dr Bronwyn Grover,
spoke of the water cycle and its status in Southern
Africa. Following her was fellow Rotarian, Professor
Stella Anyangwe, who spoke about maternal and child
health. I suspect there are very few who will forget the
shocking statistics of child and mother mortality in sub-
Saharan Africa.
An address on early childhood development was
given by Dr David Harrison in plenary session four.
This was followed by Ruy M Santos from Mozambique
who founded MAKOBO – The Solidarity Platform. He
discussed the challenges facing his country and the
activities of his organisation. A scary statistic he shared
was that Mozambique imports 90 percent of its food.
Next up was Marna de Lange who gave an
interesting talk presenting solutions to the challenges
of feeding southern African nations. We concluded the
day with an evening event to celebrate our international
diversity.
Saturday started with an address on Synergy by
Niel Steinmann. Rotarians enjoyed his talk that drew
parallels between wildlife habits and tactics and good
business practice. Plenary six dealt with all the district
business presentations and it was my pleasure to
present numerous awards, other than Presidential
Citations, which are still to be awarded.
During the final and closing plenary we had the
privilege of listening to the head of the South African
National Aids Council, Reverend Zwoithawo Nevhutalu.
He shared the statistics of HIV in southernAfrica and the
benefits of the Rotary Family Health Days partnership
between the Department of Health and Rotary.
Another highlight was taking PRID Jackson and
his wife, Juliet, to visit Ngwana Home which cares for
abandoned babies. They were so moved by what they
saw that they gave me $1 500 to use to help the facility
meet its most pressing need: A separate treatment
room for extremely ill babies to help prevent the spread
of illnesses.
The evening function was delayed so that the rugby
fans could watch the game. Eventually, we got the show
on the road and we recognised Traci Holdcroft as a Paul
Harris Fellow and three others, Shirley Downie, DG
Jankees and DGA Judy Sligcher, for joining the Bequest
Society.
Thereafter it was Nadine’s and my honour to hand
over office to Jankees and Judy. We wish them well for
their year knowing that they will do Rotary proud and
assure them both that they can rely on our support.
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
Youth Exchange students sharing their experiences and perceptions of the programme.

Victor and Maria Da Silva.
PDG Annie Steijn and her husband, Hennie.
Members of the Rotary Club of White River.DGAE Judy and DGE Jankees Sligcher.
PP Stuart Miller, PDG David Grant, PP John McCallum, Juliet and PRID Jackson Hsieh, incoming DG
Jankees Sligcher and PDG Ian Mcglashan.

Rotary Africa Aug 2017-website

Rotary Africa Aug 2017-website

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