Rotary Africa March 2015

rotary africarotary africaEstablished in 1927 ♦ A member of the Rotary World Magazine Press ♦ March 2015
Worst floods in 40 years
ShelterBox and Rotarians respond
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2 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ March 2015
CREATIVITY IS THINKING UP NEW THINGS.
INNOVATION IS DOING NEW THINGS.
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From the editor...
Editor Sarah van Heerden
Administration Sharon Robertson
Chairman Gerald Sieberhagen
Directors Greg Cryer
Peter Dupen
Andy Gray
David Jenvey
Richard Tolken
Publisher Rotary in Africa
Reg. No. 71/04840/08
(incorp.associationnotforgain)
PBO No: 18/13/13/3091
Registered at the GPO as a
newspaper
Design & Layout Rotary in Africa
Printers Colour Planet, Pinetown
Advertising Sharon Robertson
Sarah van Heerden
Tariff card on request at
Subscriptions Sharon Robertson
(digital)
Contributions rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Distribution Rotary Districts 9210, 9211,
9212, 9220, 9350, 9370
and9400 (SouthernandEastern
Africa)
Contact Rotary Africa
P.O. Box 563
Westville
3630
South Africa
Telephone 0027 (31) 267 1848
Fax 0027 (31) 267 1849
Email rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Website www.rotaryafrica.com
The Rotary Emblem, Rotary International, Rotary,
Rotary Club and Rotarian are trademarks of Rotary
International and are used under licence. The views
expressed herein are not necessarily those of Rotary
Africa, Rotary International or The Rotary Foundation.
Meet our team
FINAL PUSH
Sarah
In 1985, Rotary International launched the PolioPlus
programme. Today, 30 years later, we are very close
to eradicating polio.
Three decades may sound like a long time,
however, for many it has passed in the blink of an
eye. When I consider how much far we have come in
eradicating polio, I can’t believe that it has been only
30 years!
World immunisation levels were boosted from
less than 50 percent in 1985 to more than 80 percent
in 1992. In 1988, polio paralysed more than 1 000
children worldwide every day and 125 countries were
polio-endemic. Today, the global incidence of polio
cases has been slashed by 99 percent and in March
2014 India was declared polio-free. To put it simply,
99 percent of the world’s population lives in regions
which have been certified polio-free.
The good news for Rotarians in Africa is that as
of February 11, there had been no new cases of
wild poliovirus in six months. This means that we
are a sixth of the way towards Africa being declared
polio free – the World Health Organisation requires
three full years to pass without a new case of polio
before it will officially certify an area polio-free. Until
then, it is of the utmost importance that high levels
of surveillance and immunisation rates, to quickly
detect any importation of the poliovirus and minimise
its impact, are maintained.
I have heard there are people who feel that as polio
is no longer present in our country, polio eradication
should not be a priority. I have one response to
this opinion – nonsense! Something as simple as a
person not washing their hands properly can, when
the virus is present, result in the spread of polio
among those who are not immunised. With how easy
travel has become and the number of people who
support the anti-vaccine movement, it would not be
impossible for someone in a polio-free country to
become infected. It is for this reason that surveillance
and immunisations continue and, more importantly,
our efforts to eradicate that last one percent of polio
continue.
Your efforts have brought us this far. We need to
continue and ensure that we eradicate polio for once
and for all – or 30 years of hard work may as well be
flushed down the drain!
Rotary Africa Magazine

regulars
Gary CK Huang
President, Rotary International
Message from the
RI President
On the Web
Speeches and news from RI President Gary CK Huang at www.rotary.org/president
DEAR FELLOW ROTARIANS,
In Rotary, we have the opportunity to build
bonds of friendship with fellow Rotarians
around the world. Once a year, at our
International Convention, we have the chance
to get together with all of our Rotary friends,
share new ideas, plan new service and just
have fun.
What better way to celebrate the end of the
2014/15 Rotary year and Light Up Rotary with
your friends, than to travel together to the 106th
annual Rotary International Convention in São
Paulo, Brazil? Whether you have never been
to a convention before or are an experienced
convention goer, this will be one you won’t want
to miss. Preregistration pricing ends on 31 March,
so plan now for the biggest Rotary party of the
year.
The convention will begin on Saturday, 6 June,
and after the opening ceremony there will be a
traditional Brazilian Carnival party and a Samba
School Parade at the Anhembi Sambadrome.
Even if you think you have no rhythm or can’t carry
a tune, you will find yourself dancing, singing and
laughing all night long. The party and parade will
feature the bright colours, feathers and sequins
of carnival costumes as well as the sights and
sounds of samba, the Afro-Brazilian music and
dance, and the delicious food and drinks of São
Paulo.
On Monday night, Ivete Sangalo, winner of two
Latin Grammy Awards, will entertain Rotarians.
Every evening of the convention, Rotary
Restaurant Nights will let you enjoy discounts in
the culinary capital of Latin America. Savour fish
from the Amazon, sushi with a Latin flair, Brazilian
beef and other offerings from some of São
Paulo’s 30 000 restaurants and bars. Admission
to several museums in São Paulo, including the
excellent soccer museum, will also be free with
your convention badge.
Brazil reflects a diversity almost as great
as Rotary’s. Paulistanos, as the people of São
Paulo are known, have created a lively culture
with influences from all over the world. One of
the highlights of any Rotary convention is always
hospitality night, where you can get to know
local Rotarians. Monday night is your chance
to experience the Paulistano lifestyle with the
Rotarians of Brazil – but be sure to book early, as
numbers are limited.
In Rotary, service and friendship go hand in
hand. As you focus on the work of this Rotary
year, I ask you not to lose sight of the importance
of international friendship and to register for the
São Paulo convention at www.riconvention.org.

ROTARY
Members: 1 220 115
Clubs: 34 558
ROTARACT
Members: 169 395
Clubs: 7 365
INTERACT
Members:396 980
Clubs: 17 260
RCCs
Members: 186 093
Corps: 8 091
Rotary at a Glance
as of 1 October 2014
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and
foster the ideal of service as a basis of
worthy enterprise and, in particular, to
encourage and foster:
First. The development of acquaintance
as an opportunity for service;
Second. High ethical standards in
business and professions; the recognition
of the worthiness of all useful occupations;
and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s
occupation as an opportunity to serve
society;
Third. The application of the ideal of
service in each Rotarian’s personal,
business, and community life;
Fourth. The advancement of international
understanding, goodwill, and peace
through a world fellowship of business
and professional persons united in the
ideal of service.
Of the things we think, say or do:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER
FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIALto all concerned?
Object of Rotary
The Four-Way Test
what you
should know
Grants
model Foundation trustee
chair, John Kenny
Now that the first year of the new grants model
has been completed it is time to see how it is
working. One of the most positive outcomes
is that more clubs and districts have banded
together to implement larger sustainable
projects.
Our Rotary Foundation funded 488 District
Grants worth a total of US$23.5 million and 868
Global Grants worth US$47.3 million.
The Trustees are very conscious that they have
a fiduciary duty to ensure that Foundation funds are
spent wisely. To help in achieving this, clubs and
districts have the support of a Cadre of Technical
Advisors. These are Rotarian volunteers who have
been vetted as specialists either in one or more
areas of focus or in financial audits. Last year, on
behalf of the Trustees, these volunteers carried
out more than 153 assignments. Forty-four were
technical (desk) reviews prior to funding approval,
and 68 were mandatory onsite screenings for
larger projects, either before approval or during
the project`s implementation. The cadre also
conducted 41 audits of projects and districts, some
trustee policy mandated and some at random.
We have also learned that some sponsors
of Global Grants have struggled with needs
assessments, sustainability, monitoring and
evaluation. This is where the cadre can be of
practical assistance and the members have
been asked to increase their availability to grant
sponsors, right from the start of the application
process. Clubs and districts sponsoring grants
can access this assistance by contacting their
Regional Grants officer to support this initiative.
We are looking to add volunteers to our cadre
in all areas of focus and in auditing. If you are
interested in joining the cadre, email cadre@
rotary.org for more information. The aim of the
Trustees is to make the new grants model as user
friendly to clubs and districts as possible.

Rotary
Resort
Badplaas
The one-week holiday
destination for Senior Citizens
• Enjoy your next holiday in a safe
environment with new friends from one
Sunday to the next.
• The famous hot water springs are only
500 metres away from us and we provide
transport to the Hydro Spa every morning.
• While you relax we spoil you with three
meals daily.
• You will love our new indoor heated
swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
• Your regular television programmes can be
viewed on DSTV.
• The elegantly furnished rooms, the scenery
and the mountains ensure an unforgettable
all inclusive break-away week.
• All the rooms are for two persons to share
so please bring a friend.
• The most affordable holiday in the country.
For Bookings or more information
Contact Engela at 017-844-1060 or email
hennie@rotaryresort.co.za
www.rotaryresort.co.za
Carnival time
Convention countdown
Around this time every year, Brazilians
celebrate the end of summer and the beginning
of Lent with one of the world’s largest parties,
Carnival.
For days, revellers dance, drums thump and
sequins glitter alongside the elaborate floats
of competing neighbourhood groups. These
clubs, which are known as samba schools, can
be as large as 5 000 people and are judged in
categories such as the band, song, harmony and
coordination, costumes, spirit, floats and dancing.
While the festivities in Rio de Janeiro may be
the country’s most famous, São Paulo hosts a
bash with its own flair. For two nights, the city’s
top 14 samba schools parade their way through
the Sambódromo do Anhembi, a venue that can
hold up to 30 000 people, in a nationally broadcast
competition. Meanwhile, neighbourhoods throw
their own block parties called blocos, in which
everyone can participate.
At the 2015 Rotary International Convention,
6-9 June, you’ll be able to join the party too.
On 6 June, you can attend the Rotary Carnival
Parade, which will take place in the Anhembi
Sambadrome, just as the samba school parades
do.
Learn more and register at
www.rotary2015saopaulo.org. Register for the
2015 RI Convention in São Paulo by 31 March
for a reduced rate. Go to www.riconvention.org.

David Bobanick, director of Rotary First Harvest, a programme of District 5030, and fellow
Rotarians have provided millions of pounds of fresh produce to those in need throughout the
Seattle area.
foundation ranks 85th
Every year, the Chronicle of Philanthropy
ranks the top 400 non-profit organisations in
the United States. The Rotary Foundation has
continued its steady growth, moving up 35
spots to 85th. The ranking is based on monetary
contributions from private sources and reflects
the increasing generosity of those who support
Rotary’s mission.
According to the Chronicle, The Rotary
Foundation received $239 576 000 in 2013, a 32.4
percent increase from the previous year.
The Foundation recently earned a four star
rating from Charity Navigator, the largest and
most prestigious independent evaluator of non-
profit organisations in the United States. In the
2013/14 Rotary year, 92 percent of the Foundation’s
expenditures were applied to programmes, with only
six percent spent on fundraising and two percent on

20.030. Subscription to Magazines.
20.030.1. Required Subscription.
Each member of a club not located in the United
States or Canada and each member of an e-club
shall become a paid subscriber to the official
magazine of RI or to a Rotary magazine* approved
and prescribed for that club by the board. Two
Rotarians residing at the same address have the
option to subscribe jointly to the official magazine.
The members shall maintain such subscriptions for
the duration of their membership.** Each member
shall have the option to choose to receive either a
printed copy by mail or an electronic copy via the
internet where available.***
*The Rotary magazine approved for Africa is
Rotary Africa.
** Such subscription shall be collected by the club
from its members and forwarded to Rotary Africa
on behalf of the member.
*** Rotary Africa provides an electronic copy
and should a member prefer to subscribe to the
electronic version they may do so by accessing
the Rotary Africa website – www.rotaryafrica.com
and completing the request for a digital version.
Rotary Africa half-yearly subscription:
1st January 2015 - R125 per member.
1st July 2015 - R135 per member.
Rotary Africa subscriptions are billed to the club
in January and July and are due within 30 days.
The invoicing is calculated on the total number of
members on the mailing list.
What do Rotary Club secretaries need to do?
• Send an updated members’ list to Rotary
Africa in January and July.
• Register new members with Rotary Africa
when they join Rotary.
• Advise Rotary Africa of any changes in
membership such as: Resignations, address
updates, deceased members as they occur.
What do Assistant Governors need to do on behalf of
the District Governor?
• Ensure that Clubs adhere to the above
requirements.
rotary africarotary africa
Subscription
guidelines
2013 Manual of Procedure:
RI Bylaws - Articles 20
administrative expenses. The Foundation funded $23.5 million
in District Grants and $47.3 million in Global Grants. These
grants support local and international humanitarian projects as
well as scholarships.
Together with its partners in the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative, Rotary has led the effort to end polio, contributing
more than $1.3 billion to the initiative since its outset. When
an outbreak threatened the Horn of Africa and the Middle East
in 2013, Rotary quickly provided emergency funds, including
a US$500 000 rapid response grant for Somalia and another
US$500 000 grant to the World Health Organisation to cover
operational costs in the Middle East.As a result, the outbreak in
the Horn of Africa slowed and Syria reported only one case of
polio in the first half of 2014.
Rotary is also at the forefront of efforts to fight other diseases
and improve health worldwide. According to the WHO, indoor
air pollution causes 4.3 million deaths per year. To help combat
it, members of the Rotary Club of Taos-Milagro (D5520, USA)
mobilised Rotary clubs in several countries to support the
Himalayan Stove Project, which has installed more than 3 000
clean-burning stoves in Nepal. In Tamil Nadu, India, Rotary
clubs partnered with clubs in Maryland to use a Foundation
Global Grant to purchase a large van and fit it out with X-ray
equipment to screen women for breast cancer in hard-to-
reach communities. The ‘mammobus’ has been used to
conduct more than 2 500 free breast cancer screenings, and
has helped detect and treat early-stage cancer in six women.
Rotary members in Malindi, Kenya, teamed up with members in
Maryland and Idaho to work with the Genesis World Mission in
creating a rainwater catchment system to provide clean drinking
water, irrigate crops and establish fish farms in Burangi, Kenya.
In Seattle, Rotary members are putting millions of pounds of
fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste into the
hands of those who need them through Rotary First Harvest, a
programme of D5030.
“This clearly shows our members recognise the unparalleled
value of giving to their Foundation,” says John Hewko, Rotary’s
general secretary, of the Chronicle ranking. “They know that
by giving to the Foundation, their dollars have a much greater
impact. And friends of Rotary respect that the Foundation puts
their gift to great use. ”
GET IT DONE EARLY!
Send your club details for
inclusion in the 2015/16 edition of
Which Club Meets Today to:
rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za

our foundation
By PDG Anne Botha - Regional Rotary Foundation Co-ordinator Zone 20A South
Doing good in the world
What I have found very interesting is that
even among the veteran Rotary Leadership
Institute (RLI) faculty in Uganda, there is a
general avoidance in dealing with topics
related to our Foundation, The Rotary
Foundation (TRF). And who can blame them?
TRF has been presented to most of us in such
complex and confusing terms that it becomes
a scary beast in our minds. We are harassed
to feed this beast money for our Rotarian well-
being and recognition. If you fail to sacrifice
you are apparently less than a Rotarian. Do
you feel like this about TRF? Do not worry -
you are in very good company.
I must admit that for a long time, this was my
own perception of TRF, as I tried to understand
the share system, grants and suchlike. I was
confused by investment cycles, percentage this
and percentage that. It sounded like an exercise
in mathematics, economics and the stock market.
Then I had a rare opportunity. I was club
president when the then DG, Nelson Kawalya,
identified me to the TRF as someone who could
carry out an advance site visit and evaluate
a proposed 3H grant (Health, Hunger and
Humanity). I asked my Rotary mentor what 3H
was and to explain the work of an advance site
visitor. “Don’t worry,” he assured me, “TRF will
send you all the literature you need.” I received
large volumes and read diligently. This, my
friends, is how I became a volunteer for the
Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisors.
You will think that all the literature helped me
to understand it but I am afraid you are wrong.
Being an advance site visitor helped me begin to
understand what TRF is.
For the first time I met Rotarians who were
totally dedicated to the service of humanity. I
visited a community of former lepers producing
crafts and vegetables, wielding hoes with hands
that in most cases had no fingers. I had been
involved in projects before, but I had never
experienced the great emotional impact that
TRF-funded projects, however simple, have on
people.
This was my first real lesson about what TRF
is. It is not the staff in Evanston. It’s not all the
rules and regulations and policies. It’s not the
trustees. It is dedicated Rotarians around the
world, pouring themselves into service to help
those who are in need. Through my volunteer
work, I got to see more of this kind of person and
for each location, I felt the human experience, I
felt the spirit of great Rotarians.
Once I understood this, the rest was easy.
Having felt and seen what I had, how could I not
give? Having felt and given what I had, how could
I not be involved in club projects? I believe I am a
greater beneficiary of TRF than the communities
we serve. Service makes me feel complete as a
human being.
TRF is a thing of the heart, a crystallisation
of how we feel for other people and reach out
to those in need. It’s about developing and
implementing effective service projects on the
one hand and supporting our Foundation through
our donations on the other hand. The two march
hand in hand.
Indeed, as I have said to many, feel TRF
first through service. Feel the people and the
communities we work with as individuals. Feel
them as part of you, as part of your family. The
next step, giving, becomes inevitable and it
becomes a habit.
Finally, if you have felt and you are giving from
the heart, try to understand the mechanics of
TRF. Like love, the Rotary Foundation, starts with
a feeling in the heart, not the giving of things.
Sometimes something is just so good that you can read it over and over again. I truly believe that
the article by TRF Cadre PDG Tusu Tusubira (D9200), published in the January edition of the ROTA
Newsletter, will keep on touching Rotarian hearts for a long time to come. Unfortunately I had to shorten
the article - my apologies to TRF Cadre Tusu Tusubira.
Feed the beast

change is criticalby Regional Rotary Coordinator - Zone 20A South, PDG Natty Moodley
www.rcnatty.blogspot.comNatty’s Natter
I have always said that we are ordinary people
achieving extraordinary results. Because
of our passion to serve and our positive
attitude, our success is authentic. We have no
hidden agendas - it’s how we roll. We take the
opportunity to serve seriously and sincerely
and that sets us apart from the rest.
Now it’s your chance to make an important
decision to take our organisation into a completely
different direction, to create the future and to
focus on and embrace the concept of diversity.
Diversity does not just look at the race issue.
It engages our minds to think younger, to include
the youth, to provide opportunities for women,
to look at our classification spread and at how
we grow our organisation by creating an all-
embracing environment, so that we ensure its
future existence.
For our organisation to grow we need to
accept that change is critical. We need to look
at things differently. How do we adjust our
meeting protocols and how do we make the
effort to integrate the younger more digitally
oriented demographic? Look at our membership
statistics. More than half of our membership is
over the age of 60 and just one percent of our
membership is under 30, yet approximately 50
percent of the world’s population is under 30.
This is the demographic we need to target for the
future success and continued existence of our
organisation, but how many of our clubs actually
engage people under 40?
Unless we take the age demographic of our
organisation seriously and start to put our ideas,
thoughts and words into action, two decades from
now we could have an organisation half the size
that it is today. Keeping our organisation relevant
is the key to attracting and retaining the younger
generation.
Rotary International General Secretary, John
Hewko, said “it is clear that members have been
able to accomplish a great deal,” and he asked
what Rotarians are willing to do to make Rotary
stronger. “We have great traditions in Rotary, but
they are our traditions. We made them, we own
them and it is up to us to change them if they are
no longer relevant”.
We need to go out there and bring in new
members. New members come without any
preconceived ideas and traditions. Change and
innovation are led by people with fresh ideas, who
go the extra mile to make them work and think
outside the box. Young people are ambitious and
yes, they are still climbing the corporate ladder
or starting their own businesses, but they have a
strong sense of civic duty. Our membership and
services are what make our organisation powerful
and strong.
Just think of what we have achieved over the
years. I am inspired as I witness your relentless
devotion to improving the lives of the unfortunate.
Your actions have saved millions of children from
the dreaded polio virus and this is just one of
the epic things that you have accomplished. You
have toiled for more than a quarter of a century
to rid the world of polio. Polio eradication is a
dream that must be realised. Anything less is to
surrender. No matter what the odds, we contribute
towards our goal of a polio free world.
Each one of you is special. You are a special
gift to your families and when you joined this
wonderful organisation you became a gift to your
community.
During the coming year, President-Elect Ravi
Ravindran will ask you to do things differently.
He will ask you to engage with other clubs and
people within our zone, our continent and around
the world. He will ask you to meet that stranger
who is waiting to be your friend. A simple smile
could translate into friendship, a handshake could
lead to many projects and ideas. President-Elect
Ravi is asking you to expand your horizons to Be
a Gift to the World.
So my friends, our challenge is to make a
bigger, stronger, more powerful and youthful
Rotary, increase our support of The Rotary
Foundation, promote our organisation to the
world, publicise our good work and create the
awareness that will grow into a greater interest
in Rotary. As you continue to Light up Rotary and
bring relief to those in need, as you shine the
beacon of hope on the darkness of other people’s
lives, I applaud you for your commitment to Be a
Gift to the World.

“We in Rotary aspire to great deeds. We
look up to the towering figures of history
who gave such
great gifts to
humanity.”

people
RAVI RAVINDRAN
Our first Sri Lankan president insists he is
perfectly ordinary. You decide.
KR Ravindran insists you call him Ravi
immediately after you’ve been introduced. He
has bearing: he is tall, with excellent posture,
and he has the off-handed self-assurance of
someone who is impressively accomplished.
His disarming features are his restless
curiosity and profound modesty.
Ravindran is CEO and founder of Printcare
PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest printing and packing
company. It is publicly listed and has won many
national and international awards for excellence.
It provides design-to-delivery printing, packing
and digital media solutions, and is the No 1
producer of tea bag tags and sachets in the world.
Ravindran insists that his company maintains
a focus on environmental sustainability, social
responsibility, community engagement and high
ethical standards.
A member of the Rotary Club of Colombo
(D3220) since 1974, Ravindran has served as
RI treasurer, director and Foundation trustee, as
well as in many other offices. When he was his
country’s PolioPlus committee chair, he headed
a task force that negotiated a cease-fire with
northern militants during National Immunisation
Days. Ravindran also chaired the Schools
Reawakening project, sponsored by clubs and
districts in Sri Lanka, which rebuilt 25 tsunami-
devastated schools, benefiting 15 000 children.
He also serves on the boards of several other
companies and charitable trusts.
Editor in Chief of The Rotarian, John Rezek,
reports: “When I first met with him, he decided to
ask me questions about the magazine instead of
answering mine. It’s a safe bet that he is the best-
dressed person in any room. He gets extra credit
for his highly polished monk-strap shoes. He is a
man of many parts, all of which are put together
with precision and thoughtfulness.”
You’re successful in business. Rotary isn’t a
business, but it sometimes behaves like one.
What have you learned in business that you
would like to apply to Rotary and how do you
plan to do it?
Success is a relative term. Albert Einstein said,
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather
try to become a man of value.” It’s more important
that I am known as a man of value. But to answer
you, Rotary is not a business. That’s clear. But
there is no reason it cannot be managed along the
lines of a business. In business we are beholden
to our shareholders. In Rotary we are accountable
to the Rotarians who trusted us and placed us in
a position of responsibility. Every investment we
make in time and resources must have a return.
Every expenditure must be justifiable. The goals
we set for ourselves should be transparent and
measurable, and the leaders at every level must
be accountable for their performance.
Some people believe we are products of the
place where we grew up. Do you think that’s
true?
Without question, when it comes to developing
your character, I doubt whether any institution
can compare with, or effectively substitute for,
the home’s potential for positive influence on the
development of a personality. It is true for me. I
am thankful to Rotary for reinforcing the values
my parents taught me. Today I can proudly
proclaim that I am what I am in my life because
I was moulded by Rotary. I can personally
vouch for the ability of our organisation to blend
commerce with cause, friendship with service,
and know first hand that each of us is lifted even
as we lift others.
How would you describe Sri Lanka to a blind
person? What other senses would take over?
As our tourist literature would say, Sri Lanka
is a resplendent island in the Indian Ocean and a
leading tourist destination. But Sri Lanka’s secret
lies with its people. The spice-addicted, cricket-
crazy and tea-drinking people of Sri Lanka are
famed for big smiles and bigger hearts and a
culture enriched by 3 000 years of knowledge. It’s
an island country of endless beaches, timeless
ruins, welcoming people and oodles of elephants,
schools of blue whales, a killer surf, famous tea,
flavourful food and good value for money, with,
most importantly, great, friendly people.

What first drew you to Rotary and what
prompted you to take higher and higher
leadership roles? Do you assume a leadership
position in everything you’re involved with?
Sometimes life takes you on a path that almost
seems predestined. I joined Rotary for the fun
and fellowship it offered, without any idea of
taking on responsibility. In fact, if I had been told
that I would have to take up leadership positions,
I may not have joined at all.
Over the years, in spite of being involved in
some history-making projects, my best Rotary
moments have been sitting with friends from
diverse cultures and countries and laughing and
talking half the night away. One does not go in
search of leadership positions, but I think if you
are a good follower, then leadership comes
around to you in a most natural manner.
What are the three most important rules of
leadership?
First, honesty and integrity. If there is no trust
between leader and follower, then all is lost.
Integrity goes hand in hand with honesty and is
an essential trait in an effective and trustworthy
leader. Don’t stray from your beliefs just to get
ahead in your company. By remaining true to
your principles in any situation, your team knows
it can depend on you. Keep communication
open, honest and genuine at all levels of the
organisation.
Second, management. A good leader must
know every aspect of his organisation or surround
himself with people with knowledge who, in fact,
are better than he is. You must be able to gain the
respect of your stakeholders – both internal and
external. Management must demand high ethical
business standards and practices at all levels of
an organisation.
Third, transparency, which is a reflection of
your character. If you do not know something,
admit it and then do your best to find out the
answer. Make your feelings and the reasons for
your decisions known so people understand your
reasoning. Then, they will be more likely to come
along for the ride. Watch, listen and acknowledge
the work and opinions of others. Base your
management style on cooperation, ethical
behaviour, respect for diversity and commitment
to the success of the organisation you serve.
What does a person in your position never
do?
Don’t speak from the lectern what you don’t
practice yourself. Only politicians do that.
What character trait do you think every
Rotarian should have? Is it inherent or
learned? Do you find it is in short supply?
Character is moulded by environment. There
are many members in Rotary who you would
have thought should not be in Rotary when they
joined and yet we believe that these people will
be influenced by their colleagues to become
productive members.
A well-functioning Rotary club has a way of
changing the character of its members. I was
one of those who joined Rotary for fun and after
40 years, I still have a lot of fun. But fun alone
could not have kept me in Rotary all these years.
It was a sense of achievement and the ability to
leverage your own meagre resources with others’
and reach out to thousands, even millions, which
kept me in Rotary.
What will be your focus during your term?
What do you hope to accomplish?
I am an average individual and an ordinary
person, who has no plans to leave statues
behind. Yet, as someone said, “It’s when ordinary
people rise above the expectations and seize the
opportunity that milestones truly are reached.” I
hope I can be one of those people. I will focus on
improving everything around me a little bit so that
I leave the organization just a little bit better than
I found it. I will try to make appointments based
on merit and without bias. I will look to drive
operating costs down, knowing full well that I
can never achieve that unless I win the complete
cooperation of our capable staff. I will look to add
value to the individual Rotarian’s membership.
Is there such a thing as a bad Rotarian? Have
you met one in the wild?
Rotary is a microcosm of society. What you
find in society, you will find in Rotary. What you
consider bad in society is also bad in Rotary.
Each Rotarian does not come with godly habits
and qualities. A Rotarian who qualifies as
being bad can be good at another time. And a
Rotarian considered good can be considered
bad at another time. But so often we have seen
transformations for the better take place once an
individual absorbs the qualities of Rotary.
Have you ever encountered a situation you
couldn’t fix? What did you do?
Yes, many times. You just move on and not let
that one setback depress you or take your spirit
away.

Your legacy will be written on lives - please
consider the Salvation Army
www.salvationarmy.org.za
Name Rotary’s most existential challenges.
Of course, eradicating polio is our No 1
goal and every member needs to keep his
eyes focused on that. We also know that our
membership languishes in areas where it should
be growing. We have the technology at our
headquarters to help us communicate better. But
it falters because it is not being properly exploited
by many of our clubs. We know that our Rotary
brand must be made to shine more brightly and
speak more loudly, especially to those outside
our organisation.
Is sustainability a goal in itself, or a natural
by-product of a well thought out plan?
Sustainability is an endurance of systems and
processes. If you increase membership one year
using some method that temporarily bolsters
growth only to falter the next year, then that is not a
sustainable process. The organising principle for
sustainability is sustainable development, which
includes four interconnected domains: ecology,
economics, politics, and culture. As far as Rotary
is concerned, in recent times, especially through
The Rotary Foundation, we have been espousing
the cause of doing sustainable projects. We
have also had debates about what we define
as sustainable. Such differing opinions about
sustainability are bound to arise and in time will
settle down as our freshly minted programmes
under the new grant model begin to mature.
One of the challenges of the polio eradication
campaign in Sri Lanka was that the northern
part of the country was an active conflict
zone. You were a crucial factor in negotiating
recognition of children as zones of peace
and therefore provoking a cease-fire to allow
for vaccinations. We suspect you might be
modest about your role, but please describe
dealing with people who mean to do you
harm. Do you think this experience could
apply to Pakistan?
The difference between Sri Lanka and
Pakistan is the literacy levels. In Sri Lanka, the
government forces were literate and thus knew
that vaccinating children against polio was a good
thing. The rebels were literate enough to know
that their own progeny needed to be protected.
The government members were literate enough
to know that vaccinating children took precedence
against temporary gains of war. In this scenario,
all that was needed was an honest broker and
Rotary became one.
The situation in Pakistan is different because
the Taliban are illiterate in the main and allow their
anti-American sentiments to take precedence
over the welfare of their future generations. That’s
a pity and that’s where the problem lies, although
our Rotarians there, headed by Aziz Memon, are
playing a heroic role.
As for my role in Sri Lanka, I’d rather not talk
about that except to say that it was a small one.
Tell us how you came up with your theme,
Be a Gift to the World. Did you pick out your
theme tie by yourself or did you seek help
from those closest to you?
It definitely was not a solo effort. My wife was
fully involved and so were some close friends, as
well as my family. I don’t have the brains to come
up with a great theme like this by myself! But just
think about it. We in Rotary aspire to great deeds.
We look up to and admire the towering figures
of history, who gave such great gifts to humanity.
Abraham Lincoln, who gave the gift of human
dignity to so many. Mother Teresa, who gave
the gift of compassion to the forgotten. Mahatma
Gandhi, who gave the gift of peaceful change
to the oppressed. All of them gave their lives to
others – and their very lives became gifts to the
world. Cannot we in Rotary be, in our own way, a
small gift to the world?
What are the unexpected benefits of being tall
and well-dressed?
Are you referring to me? At six feet one inch,
I guess I am tall. Well-dressed – not too sure.
I’m not certain there are any benefits, but I am
well aware of the challenges of squeezing into

airplane seats.
During your presidency, what
won’t you have time for?
I won’t have time for my
granddaughter, who was born
last 22 October and with whom
I would dearly love to spend
much more time. We all live
together in one house and I
yearn for when I can go back to
spend time with the child. I am
looking forward to when, as a
little toddler, she makes her way
to my study at home, where I
spend a lot of time.
What do you read and in what
languages? Is there a book
you re-read regularly?
I keep up with the business
magazines – the Economist is
a magazine I enjoy reading. I
read mostly in English. My wife,
Vanathy, is strong in our own
tongue.
There are two books I re-
read. The first one is Stephen
Covey’s best-seller The Seven
Habits of Highly Effective
People and the other is a book
by Gurcharan Das called The
Difficulty of Being Good. Das,
an alumnus of Harvard and
a former CEO of Procter &
Gamble in India, bases his book
on the Hindu epic Mahabharata
and the subtle art of dharma or
behaviour, or dealing with real-
life situations of acting in an
ethical manner. I have given up
reading fiction.
What do you want your legacy
to be? Which presidents do
you think left a lasting mark
on Rotary?
I don’t plan to leave a legacy.
I am a very ordinary individual.
Many presidents in Rotary have
left a lasting impression on the
organisation. Of the presidents
I know, Clem Renouf and the
late Carlos Canseco have left
indelible impressions on Rotary.

An officer, a gentleman...
a RotarianLAWRIE
SHUTTLEWORTH
On 18 November 2014, the Rotary
Club of Kimberley (D9370) held
a 100th birthday lunch for Past
President Lawrie Shuttleworth.
Family and friends arrived in
Kimberley for the occasion, not only
from around South Africa, but also
from Canada and the USA.
Lawrence Hamilton Gordon
Shuttleworth was born on 18
November 1914 in Grahamstown. He
was educated at Graeme College and
in 1935, completed his BCom degree
at Rhodes University.
In September 1939, Lawrie,
who was already a qualified pilot,
joined No 12 Squadron. By the end
of World War II, he was married to
Claudia Harcourt Baldwin. During
the war he flew numerous types of
aircraft, including bombers, was shot
down more than once, had been
injured (fortunately not seriously),
was mentioned in despatches and
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Lawrie received the Distinguished
Flying Cross.
On 4 May 1952, Lawrie (by then a
chartered accountant) was inducted
as a member of the Rotary Club of
Kimberley.
When the Kimberley City Council
moved to demolish the Beaconsfield
Town Hall, Lawrie became chairman
of the Beaconsfield Civic Union,
petitioning the then mayor, councillor
Lionel Jawno, to renovate the town
hall, a public amenity of great historic
interest. Sadly, the city council
ordered that it be demolished.
In 1955, with Rotary International
preparing for its golden jubilee, the

club looked for a special project to mark this
significant milestone. The then club president,
Dr Dan Stephens, suggested they build a
convalescent home for Kimberley. The club
accepted the challenge and a fundraising
committee was formed and chaired by retired
magistrate Fred Staples. The project took rather
longer than expected and was finally completed
in 1959, the year that Lawrie became president
of the club.
As RI had become concerned with introducing
the younger generation to Rotary’s ideals, the
Kimberley club sponsored the formation of a
Rotors Club which was open to young business
people. Rotors was the South African forerunner
of RI’s Rotaract and Interact clubs. Lawrie was
appointed president of the Rotors club and tasked
with the supervision of its public service activities.
Lawrie’s interest in public affairs led to his
election to the city council in 1968. Two years later,
it looked as if history was repeating itself, when the
city council resolved to demolish the Kimberley
City Hall. Lawrie was almost alone in opposing
the motion and a battle that was to last for five
years ensued. Thanks to Lawrie’s intervention
and determination, this historic building was not
only saved, but was also beautifully restored and
survives to this day.
In 1972, he became Mayor of Kimberley and
among other things, motivated and subsequently
had the honour of conferring the Freedom of
Claudia and Lawrie were married in 1940 and in 1972, the two became mayor and mayoress of
Kimberley.

the City on Harry Oppenheimer whose De
Beers company had generously supported the
restoration of the City Hall.
Other projects with which Lawrie had been
involved were the memorial to the pioneer column
that journeyed by ox wagon to Fort Cecil, the
introduction of an electric tram service between
the City Hall and the Big Hole, the establishment
of the Pioneers of Aviation memorial complex
at Alexandersfontein and the building of the
tower of the St Cyprian’s Cathedral. While not
all of these were Rotary projects, they provide
an insight into Lawrie’s commitment to and
involvement in civic and community affairs.
In October 1979 Lawrie represented both
Rotary and the city council on a committee to
accept from De Beers a complex of buildings,
formerly a mine compound, which was to become
a youth hostel. He was appointed chairman of
the committee and has occupied that position
ever since. The youth hostel has expanded
into what is now Gum Tree Lodge, with 200 beds
and a restaurant. Located on the outskirts of
Kimberley, it provides low cost accommodation
for many thousands of visitors to Kimberley every
year. Without doubt the success of Gum Tree
Lodge is largely due to Lawrie’s passion for the
project. To this day he continues to oversee and
guide the establishment on a daily basis.
In January 1988, the club recognised Lawrie
as a Paul Harris Fellow in acknowledgement
of his services not only to Rotary, but to the
community as a whole.
Today, at the age of 100 and after 62 years of
unbroken service to Rotary, Lawrie continues to
attend most Rotary meetings – the few he misses
are due to other commitments which preclude his
attendance.

Past President Des Hyland of the Rotary
Club of Bellville (D9350) celebrated his 90th
birthday in December and in January, the
club decided to dedicate a special event to
honour a great Rotarian and friend at Oude
Westhof. The event was well attended by
current and past Rotarians, friends, District
Governor Cecil Rose and Assistant Governor
Charmaine Sobotker.
Des was an active Rotarian and the charter
president of the Rotary Club of Ficksburg (D9370)
which was established in 1970. When he and
Nora relocated to Bellville in 1992, he joined the
Bellville club and held a number of positions on
the board of the club and served as secretary.
In 1992, the Ficksburg club recognised Des
as a Paul Harris Fellow and in 2002, the Bellville
club presented him with a Sapphire Pin. In 2004,
Des received a special award from the district
which recognised his 25 years of Rotary service.
Des has excelled in many varied walks of
life. In Ficksburg, where he grew up, he was a
successful businessman, serving for 13 years as
a town councillor. In 1973 he was elected mayor.
He also served on school commissions and was
the driving force behind the establishment of an
old age home. Always a keen sportsman and a
talented polo player, Des served on the executive
of the Free State and Lesotho Polo Association
and captained the Eastern Free State rugby team.
Des is well known nationally and internationally
in philatelic circles (the study of stamps, postal
history and other related items). In 1991 he was
awarded the State President’s Trophy and in 1996
served as the national president of the Philatelic
Federation.
Des served as the charter president of the
Durbanville Men’s Probus Club which was started
by the Bellville club in conjunction with the Rotary
Club of Durbanville (D9350) in 1994.
The Rotary Club of Bellville has been fortunate
to benefit from Des’ experience and friendship
and decided to make him a honorary member in
2009.
Des Hyland receives a recognition certificate from District Governor Cecil Rose.
90th birthday celebration

projects
Throughout the course of a year, the
landlocked country of Malawi is regularly
hit by floods and droughts, but this year’s
deluge is said to be the worst in 40 years as a
month’s worth of rain fell in just a day. Initial
reports suggested that more than 230 000
people had to leave their homes as a result of
the cyclonic deluge.
First response
The President of Malawi, Peter Mutharika,
declared a third of the country a disaster zone
and appealed for urgent foreign aid. The Licungo
and Zambezi rivers were flowing so rapidly
that it was impossible to reach many displaced
communities, even by boat. Many are thought to
have drowned in the Shire river. Helicopters were
deployed, but continuing bad weather frustrated
initial attempts to help families trapped without
shelter or possessions.
A response team from ShelterBox, Sallie
Buck and Johnny O’Shea (UK), arrived in Malawi
Worst floods in 40 yearsand joined in-country colleagues who had been
assessing needs and potential transport routes.
The response team immediately began to assess
how ShelterBox could best help as reports now
suggested that more than 638 000 people had
been affected.
While the team gathered information, the
operations team in Helston, Cornwall, was
monitoring flooding concerns across Zimbabwe
and the island states of Madagascar and
Mauritius, as meteorologists predicted no let up
in the heavy rains caused by the widespread
weather system.
As some people were reluctant to leave their
submerged farms, local officials had encouraged
them to relocate to camps on safer, higher ground.
Still more were sheltering in school classrooms
without light, warmth or proper sanitation.
In Chilobwe township, massive boulders had
washed down from the hills smashing even the
brick-built houses and there were reports that 25
school children were washed away by floodwater.

Apart from providing emergency shelter,
another priority for the Malawian government will
be disease control and sanitation, with fears of
malaria, cholera and diarrhoea. The country’s
Vice-President, Saulos Chilima, made a plea for
helicopters and boats, as well as tents and food.
The response team began looking at the need
for shelter in several southern districts of the
country, including Chikwawa, where the scale of
the damage was only starting to emerge.
When the team arrived in the village of
Khungbwe, which had been inaccessible by road,
it found 2 700 people housed in an emergency
centre that only had two rudimentary latrines.
The people came from six villages about six
kilometres away, which were washed away by
flash floods. Whilst they escaped, 24 friends and
family members were reported missing.
The team found that many of the people staying
in the emergency camp were too scared to return
to their villages in case the flooding happened
again, but the situation at the camp was not much
better as there was little food or clean water and
malaria was rife.
In Mchenga, 1 679 people, including 92
pregnant women and 175 children under the age
of five, sought refuge in a school. There was little
shelter from the scorching heat and there was
only one unreliable bore hole for drinking water.
The third village the team visited was Konzere,
where they heard how people climbed onto the
roofs of their houses to escape the rising floods.
When the waters got too high, they were forced to
climb into the trees and cling on as they watched
their homes slide away. Some people waited for
three days without food or water before they were
Lois Losacco, a member of the Rotary Club of Limbe, hands a care package to a flood victim in
Miditsi. Photo: Joshua Orphan and Community Care. Below: The club partnered with volunteers
from Joshua Orphan and Community Care as well as community leaders to distribute aid packages
to the flood victims in Miditsi.

Madagascar is an island of diverse landscapes
of highlands, desert-like plains, rainforests
and sandy beaches and often falls victim to
natural disasters such as storms, cyclones,
flood, drought and locust infestations. Of
these environmental disasters, cyclones and
floods have proved to be the most threatening.
Following Tropical Storm Chedza, a team of
ShelterBox response volunteers, comprising
Mark Boeck and Harry Roberts (UK), was sent to
Madagascar to assess the flood damage and the
need for shelter. The storm, which followed weeks
of bad weather and heavy rains, reportedly left
more than 45 000 people homeless and affected
more than 134 000 people and their crops.
As ShelterBox already had supplies in
Madagascar, the team worked with the
Madagascan National Bureau of Risk and
Disaster Management (known by the French
acronym BNGRC) to contribute to its response.
In total, 40 ShelterBox tents were distributed
in the western region of Menabe and 90 tents
were distributed in the Madagascan capital of
Antananarivo.
rescued.
Distribution
ShelterBox began to distribute specialist
ShelterBoxes – which contain a family tent and
equipment to provide warmth, light, cooking and
clean water – in Malawi. Shelter Repair Kits and
tarpaulins were included in the consignments.
Initial delivery was to camps in the worst affected
southern districts of Chikwawa, Phalombe and
Zomba.
ShelterBox boosted its team in Malawi ahead
of distribution and partnered with other agencies
to reach areas of greatest need quickly. A total
of 1 000 ShelterBoxes, 650 shelter kits and 500
tarpaulins were sent to Malawi.
Rotarian response
Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Limbe (D9210)
rose to the occasion and provided nearly MWK3
million worth of humanitarian aid to the flood
victims.
During a lunch meeting, the Limbe club tabled
countless pleas for aid it had received from
communities affected by the heavy rains and
severe winds. The club approved a MWK1 000
donation for the Rotaract Club of Blantyre to
storm pummels island
help 179 families affected in Mtenje. A donation
of MWK1 million was made to Médecins Sans
Frontières, 65 Shelterboxes were sent to Nkhudzi
Bay, equipment worth MWK450 000 was given
to Joshua Orphan and Community Care and
MWK350 000 to Chiata Orphanage. Canadian
Rotarians and members of the Rotary Club of Ayr
(D1230, Scotland) added to the club’s donations.
One of the pleas came from Miditsi, a small
community south of Blantyre. In 2012, Miditsi was
brought to the club’s attention by Joshua Orphan
and Community Care and the club built a bridge
over the Milo River to connect two communities
in 2013.
The recent flooding destroyed much of the
community and thanks to contributions from the
club’s corporate sponsors, Mapeto Wholesalers,
Arkay Plastics, Rice Milling, General TinSmiths
and EJ Polymers, 80 vulnerable and high risk
people received blankets, plastic sheeting, rice,
salt and cups. The aid provided to Miditsi was
coordinated by the Limbe club, Joshua volunteers
and Chief Pensulo.
“I hope this small effort will motivate others to
care and share in their own way,” said Rotarian
Csaba Szeremley.

The small town of Port St Johns is home
to the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of
Mthatha (D9370). Port St Johns was once part
of the homeland state of the Transkei and
was reincorporated into South Africa after the
1994 elections. This once beautiful small town
is surrounded by rolling hills and spectacular
landscapes.
Alas, the town has slid into a state of disrepair
and despair but the newly inducted Rotarians are
hoping to turn this around. Chairman Neil Clayton
has a long association with Rotary and after
moving back to Port St Johns a few years ago,
he decided that a Rotary club, with its community
involvement, would help to revitalise the town.
The club has 11 committed members among
whom are business owners, doctors, medical
professionals, a pharmacist, teachers and youth
leaders from Mthumbane village.
The first community project that the club
became involved in was the Amapondo Children’s
Project (ACP). Established in 2001, the ACP has
looked after the children of Mthumbane Pre-
School and Port St Johns Child Care Centre (also
known as Eluxolweni). The Khulani Craft project,
where local women learn sewing skills and make
items for sale, also forms part of the ACP.
The ACP has received funding from abroad,
from private funders or as part of its volunteer
programme, but the funding doesn’t stretch far
enough to sustain and grow the organisation.
Rebekka Squire, a certified psychologist from
the United Kingdom, first arrived in Port St
Johns in early 2014 as an ACP volunteer and
has returned on a one-year contract as the
ACP’s project manager. Through her efforts, the
project has raised additional significant funding
which has helped the children from Mthumbane
Crèche receive better facilities. Currently, a new
classroom and flushing toilets are being built.
The other project that the newly-formed club
has been involved with is the refurbishment of
the tennis court at the sports field in the centre of
town. The court fell in to ruins and had not been
used for many years.
This was great pity for the area’s youth as
in the past Drew Wong, a regular visitor to Port
St Johns, had arranged donations of tennis
equipment and had mentored them, producing
some very talented players.
new beginningsby Kathy Costello
One of the first things the club did was become involved in a local children’s project.

For cost and booking information contact
the booking ofce at 031 701 2854
or visit
www.rotaryrally.co.za
Don’t miss out on this fantastic event
You are invited to take part in this national event that will allow
District to continue to fund the many local community projects
Rotary is involved in. All proceeds from this event will be used
exclusively for local projects. (see the website for details of these projects)
Starting in your home town, teams will each receive their own unique route.
Along the way you will interact with other clubs and complete fun tasks before
receiving your next clue and moving on to your next destination.
An average of 4/6 stops along the way with the ﬁnal overnight stop at an awesome
secret location (accommodation included on a shared basis). Here you will join all the
other teams and enjoy a wonderful Gala dinner, fabulous entertainment, a chance
to interact with the other teams and share war stories from the event.
Breakfast the next morning is also included.
Rotary Rally
Ter amuo TY odre at yn !E
9
M
ay
2015
The Amazing

Company Notice
Rotary in Africa
Reg. No.1971/004840/07
Notice to Members*
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Rotary in Africa
will be held at the company offices situated at 2 Prische House, 14 Church Road,
Westville 3630, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
On Friday 15th May 2015, at 09h00.
AGENDA.
1. Meeting formalities.
2. Confirmation of the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on
Thursday 23rd
May 2014.
3. Chairman’s report.
4. Editor’s report.
5. Treasurer’s report and submission of the annual financial accounts for the
period ending 31st
December 2014.
6. Appointment of auditors.
7. Election of up to 3 directors to serve on the Board.
In terms of the company’s Articles of Association the following directors are
due to retire from the Board, PDG Gerald Sieberhagen, PDG Richard Tolken
and PDG Peter Dupen.
Being eligible, PDG Gerald Sieberhagen will be available for election together
with any other nominations received by close of business 8 May 2014.
8. To consider or transact any other business pertinent to an Annual General
Meeting.
*All current, immediate incoming and past Governors of Rotary Districts 9200, 9210, 9211, 9212, 9220, 9250, 9270,
9300, 9320, 9350, 9370 and 9400 are ex officio members of Rotary in Africa.
A member may appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf, provided such appointment is advised to the
Secretary at the offices of the company at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Peter Dupen. Secretary.
Promoting Rotary and your club?
Contact Sharon to buy back-issues of Rotary Africa, at a reduced rate,
for your project promotions. Email: rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za

The bicycle project is a long-term commitment
of the Rotary Club of Empangeni (D9370)
which donates second-hand bicycles to
worthy and needy recipients. The project
is coordinated by PP Fulvio Pace and the
bicycles are collected by Frank Finneran and
the B4H (Bicycle 4 Humanity) team in Seattle,
USA.
Once the bicycles are collected, they are
packed into 12 metre shipping containers and sent
to the Rotary Club of Empangeni. Fulvio trained
Skhumbuso Mthembu as a bicycle technician.
Skhumbuso re-assembles the bicycles, makes
sure the tyres are inflated and that the brakes
work. Bicycles have been given to many worthy
causes and used as prizes for rural children
who win the Rhino Art competitions. The bicycle
project is not widely advertised because if it was,
the club would not be able to keep up with the
demand.
Fulvio Pace shares a special lesson he learned
from a recipient, only known as Mr Ntombela.
“Today I met Mr Ntombela. He was given
a lift all the way from Ulundi by Mr Skhozana
who came into my workplace to have a bicycle
repaired. As Skhumbuso had not yet arrived for
work, I agreed to have a look.
“The old single-speed bicycle, with a back
pedal brake, had been stolen but was found and
returned to him. The bicycle was beyond repair.
At first I thought Mr Skhosana was its owner.
However he said it was Mr Ntombela’s and he
was waiting in the truck for him.
“It took a while for Mr Ntombela to climb out
of the truck and he shuffled towards me while
holding on to the side of the truck. On seeing
the look on my face, Mr Skhosana explained
that although Mr Ntombela could not walk very
well, he could ride a bicycle. It turns out that Mr
Ntombela is 81 years old.
“My first thought was, “if he can ride in his
condition and at his age, I must help.” I had a
walker aid left from a previous donation and I
showed him how to use it to aid his walking and
how he could sit on it when he was tired. He
did not show much interest and kept enquiring
about his bicycle. By then, Skhumbuso had
arrived and without hesitation found the right size
bicycle for Mr Ntombela. It took a while for him
to understand these were gifts and he would not
have to pay for them. The look of appreciation he
gave me through his rheumy eyes brought tears
to mine. He must have sensed my scepticism
about his ability to ride as he promptly offered to
try the bicycle out for size.
“Very slowly, he laid the bicycle down and
gently stepped over it with one foot. He slowly
picked it up and positioned himself for take-off
but was hindered by a very helpful Mr Skhosana
who kept on holding the saddle. After been told
not to hold him back, Mr Skhosana let go and Mr
Ntombela shot off at a sprightly pace.
“We taught him to use the lever brakes and
gears, then loaded the walker and the old and the
new bicycle onto the truck and bade him farewell.
“Mr Ntombela taught me a lesson on the
strength of the human spirit. What a way to start
the year! I am not sure he will use the bicycle
much, but what is more important is the fact that
he can if he wants to. He went home a happy man
and that is what counts!”
bicycles
for
africa
Mr Ntombela and Skhumbuso Mthembu try out
the new bicycle.

One of the most successful and satisfying
projects of the Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350)
is the annual Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) week
which has been held every November since
2003.
Conceived by well-known ENT specialist Dr
Martin Young and facilitated by retired physician
and Rotarian Dr Ian Huskisson, the week brings
together young trainees from Groote Schuur
Hospital in Cape Town, anaesthetists and staff
from the provincial hospital in Knysna and, at
times, the Life Knysna Private Hospital. The
local hospitals provide theatre time and auxiliary
services while specialists give their time and
expertise free of charge.
During the last ENT week, some 30 procedures
were performed. The patients were primarily from
disadvantaged communities and the operations
assisted in reducing the backlog, which had
accumulated over the last 12 months.
One of the interesting medical aspects of
the week was that coblation technology for
tonsillectomy was offered for the first time in the
provincial sector. It’s usually thought of as ‘too
expensive’ for state medicine and doctors in
state practice are not taught the technique. The
ENT visitors were taught the technique, thanks to
sponsorship from Smith and Nephew.
Another highlight was the loan of a LEICA
operating microscope by Tecmed, personally
delivered by Hedley Isserow. Another medical
sponsor was Karl Storz South Africa and was
represented by Charles Dippenaar. The CEO of
Karl Storz GmbH & Co.KG, Germany, Dr Sybil
Storz, has donated a variety of ENT instruments
and other medical equipment to Knysna Provincial
Hospital and Groote Schuur and, in 2009, was
recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary
Club of Knysna.
During an ENT week three years ago, the use
of an endoscope to perform middle ear surgery
was practised for the first time in the state sector
in South Africa. Its use is now commonplace in
training institutions like Groote Schuur Hospital.
During the day, the Knysna Rotary Anns made
sure that there was a good supply of warm and
cold beverages for the volunteers and delivered
food platters for lunches and teas.
Dr Eve Samson performs middle ear surgery.
12 insightful years

In 2001, after hearing how the children at a
crèche in Osisweni were eating wet newspaper
as they had no food, three dedicated women,
Margaret Guild, Irene Sydenham and the
late Fran Hyde, formed a feeding scheme.
Once they had established themselves at the
crèche, they began to provide food to two
other schools - Amajuba and Tugela High
School.
Amajuba High was given everything from meat,
vegetables, fruit and items to make puddings
as they gave the children a full meal each day.
Tugela High received sandwich fillings as it had
a daily donation of bread from a nearby bakery.
Currently, Margaret and Irene also provide
food to Peter Pan Crèche and Pre-Primary as
well as Chelmsford Combined School. These
schools receive sandwich fillings and fresh fruit.
Mealie meal, sugar and fresh fruit are given to
Hertzog Pre-Primary and Crèche as well.
Thanks to their efforts, as many as 350 children
are fed. Margaret and Irene spend up to R3 500
a month feeding children and several sponsors
make monthly monetary donations.
They also run the Majuba Market where
stallholders are charged R50 to sell their wares.
Margaret has been involved in a social evening
twice a month where funds are raised through
bingo and raffles. Both the Scottish and English
Masonic Lodges are also strong supporters of
the scheme and the Rotary Club of Newcastle-
Majuba (D9370) recently decided to support the
scheme with a donation of R1 000 a month for the
next twelve months.
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little
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It was all about the mud on the first day of the
third annual Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350)
SPLASH Festival as participants raced
through the Mud Run obstacle course which
ended with a hose down by the Knysna Fire
Brigade.
The three-day event provided spectators and
participants with lots of fun and excitement as the
club raised funds for its projects and promoted
Rotary’s contribution to the community.
Day two saw the Lagoon Mile swim being held
in the Knysna Quays. This event has grown in
popularity with numerous swimmers returning
annually to compete. The winner of the Lagoon
Mile was Liam Fourie who completed the distance
in 18:48 minutes.
The Quack Attack race saw hundreds of
numbered plastic yellow ducks being released
in the Knysna Quays. Each duck is sold for R20
and this has become a profitable fundraiser as
the ‘owners’ cheer their bobbing birdies towards
the finish line.
The festival closed with the dragon boat races
which were well supported by local teams and
many spectators. A total of 16 teams competed in
the races. The final race of the competitive event
was fiercely contested by Knysna Canoe Club
and Knysna Canoe Polo. Although the fastest
time of the day was set by Knysna Canoe Polo
in the semi finals (33:43 sec), they were pipped
at the post in the final heat and lost to Knysna
Canoe Club (35:26 sec).
Eight spot prizes were awarded during the
event. The two team prizes were won by Knysna
Pipe Band for best team cohesion as well as best
preparation and dress.
This year, SPLASH featured prominently in
the media and was included in Knysna Tourism’s
online column What’s On #Knysna.
Organisations, businesses and individuals
enthusiastically supported the club with
services, media coverage, financial donations,
sponsorship, permits and advice.
Thanks to Knynsa Tourism, holiday makers
were welcomed to the town by large posters at
its entrance.
SPLISH, SPLASH,
WE NEED A BATH

The Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora (D9400)
built a kitchen for Thembelakubaba Crèche.
It was started in 2007 by Norah Moriri and
her team in Mogoba on the East Rand and
cares for babies who are a few weeks old and
children up to six years of age. Norah Moriri
also founded Norah’s Educare and Norah’s
Drop-in Centre.
The original facility operated out of a tin shelter
and was assisted by a group of ladies from the
Northfield Methodist Church in Benoni. Heather
Griffin and Mary Zanker remain involved with the
crèche.
In 2008, the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora
became involved with Thembelakubaba and
donated food parcels from its monthly food
collection. The first monetary donation was made
in 2009 from funds raised by the parents and
children of The School of Arcivescovile in Trento,
Italy. These funds were used to build the first
classroom at the original site of Thembelakubaba.
The facilities moved to an area which had
running water and other amenities in 2010.
Fortunately, a further donation was received from
The School of Arcivescovile in Trento. EzeHut
Products assisted with a special price for the
relocation of the original classroom. The donation
also provided for a smaller classroom to be built.
The facility received a donation of trees from
the Kazimingi Nursery. Another classroom was
built in 2011 with funds raised by the Rotary Club
of BenoniAurora and the school in Italy.ARotarian
donated a truck load of assorted furniture items
from his factory.
In the last three years, the Rotary Club of
Benoni Aurora’s involvement has grown. Some
of the many club projects to assist the crèche
included the levelling and concreting of the outside
courtyard area, a new jungle gym, the planting of
more trees, new cupboards, tiles and ceilings, as
well as the painting of murals in the classrooms.
The club also assisted in completing new toilet
and ablution facilities. SAMCA Tiles donated
floor tiles and the Multotec Group sponsored the
construction of a classroom for the babies.
Children from Ashbury School and St
Dunstan’s College often collect and deliver food,
clothing and toys to Thembelakubaba. During
these visits, they enjoy spending time playing
with the children.
The latest project, the provision of a new
roomy and fully equipped kitchen, was recently
completed. Allied Catering Equipment and
Ventsure assisted by supplying the necessary
equipment for the kitchen.
At the official handover, District GovernorAnnie
Steijn presented vocational certificates from the
Benoni Aurora club to Makgoba Albert Kgopa
(Ward 25 councillor), DGA Elaine Stathacopoulos
and Norah Moriri, before joining President Denis
Brandjes to unveil the commemorative plaque
and officially open the kitchen.
DGA Elaine Stathacopoulos and DG Annie Steijn with some of the children at the official opening
of the new kitchen.
LONG TERM SUPPORT

In 1987, Mitzvah School opened its doors as a
one year crisis class. It began as a safe space
for students from Alexandra to study and
write their final school examinations.
The political climate in South Africa at that
time was volatile, as the country was still under
the draconian laws of apartheid. The Liberation
Before Education movement resulted in disrupted
classes and exams, often preventing those who
wished to complete their education from doing so.
These youngsters wanted to obtain their matric
as they felt it would help them shape the future.
The Mitzvah School provided 25 teenagers with a
safe space to study.
It has been housed on the property of Bet
David Synagogue in Morningside Sandton since
inception and operated as an ‘illegal school’ in the
80s. In the mornings, the learners were fetched
from Alexandra by the teachers and returned
home in the late afternoon.
They were recorded as attending Alexandra
High School, but two years later Mitzvah School
was registered as a school and examination
centre. It is a registered non-profit organisation,
learners are asked to pay a small monthly fee if
they are able to, but most of the funding comes
from corporates and individuals who believe in
what the school is achieving.
Many of the learners have to contend with
extremely difficult home circumstances, with
several being orphans or wards of court. There
are also those who live on their own in shacks
and have to fend for themselves. The school
caters for matric only and has attained a 100
percent pass rate for the last nine years.
The Rotary Club of Randburg (D9400) is one
of many organisations which helps the school. It
provides stationery at the start of the school year
and exam packs before the start of the year-end
examinations.
YES, WE
CAN!
President Andrew Robinson and some of the
learners take a break after unloading stationery.
PP Chris Thompson, District Youth Officer,
watches as learners examine the donation.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100
(D9400), the Centre for Student Counselling
and Development’s (CSCD), school outreach
programme at the University of Limpopo was
able to purchase the assessment supplies it
needed to assist an additional 500 Grade 9
learners with career guidance. The club gave
the centre R5 000 to achieve this.
The staffing component of the CSCD consists
of seven registered psychologists, a junior
counsellor, 40 peer counsellors and 10 interns.
They are divided into teams, comprising a
psychologist, 10 peer counsellors and two interns,
which visit selected schools. During 2014, CSCD
visited 14 schools in rural Limpopo.
Grade 9 learners complete the Self Discovery
Survey (SDS). The SDS is a guide to educational
and career planning and is based on extensive
research on how people choose careers. The
SDS is the most widely used career interest
inventory in the world.
After completion of the survey the learners are
assisted in scoring the questionnaire and with the
interpretation of their profiles. From there, they
are shown how to align their profiles to subject
choices and possible career fields.
The outreach project focuses on group career
guidance and is not as comprehensive as an
individual career guidance intervention. The
value of the project is that it affords learners
an opportunity to be exposed to a basic career
guidance process.
During a school visit, a workshop which
includes topics like study skills, time management
and motivation, is also presented to the Grade 12
learners.
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Granting guidance
Thousands of teens
receive career
guidance thanks to an
outreach programme
run by the University
of Limpopo. Learners
are assessed to
determine the
profession they are
best suited for and
receive counselling
on how to achieve
these goals. A
recent donation by
the Rotary Club of
Pietersburg 100
enabled the
programme to reach
even more teens.

In January, the Rotary Club of Three Rivers
(D9400) was joined by partners, donors,
recipients and friends to celebrate life in a
wonderful country full of diversity and colour.
Guests arrived wearing traditional clothing and
were served a great ‘South African Fruit Salad’
which contained 11 types of fruit to celebrate the
11 official languages. A best traditional costume
prize was won by Shirley de Bruijn who wore a
Dutch outfit reflecting her ancestry.
Toastmasters from three clubs
in the Vaal area entertained
the guests when they
competed in a speech contest. A video, made at
the club’s World Diabetes and HIV/AIDS testing
day in Boiketlong, was also screened. More than
250 residents were tested and 10 wheelchairs
were given to people who needed them.
Catering was done by the Manyana ladies
from the Vereeniging Central Methodist Church.
Certificates of recognition were given to the
participants of the club’s training programmes.
These included 16 local non-profit organisations,
Emfuleni ward coordinators and representatives
of the Departments of Social Development and
Health.
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The club presented certificates to those who participated in the training programmes it runs.
celebrating culture

Youth
My name is Melanie Mboya.
In Grade 8, I joined Interact as
a casual extramural activity
but soon it became more than
that, as the service bug bit
me and enjoyment turned to
commitment.
One of the very first lessons I
learnt from Interact was that giving
back is fun and very important. As
I progressed, I became extremely
passionate about service. The
idea of service above one’s self -
giving more than just the excess
which one has, but giving fully of
one’s self - was a new concept
which I quickly embraced.
My local Rotary club, the Rotary
Club of Beacon Bay (D9370),
had mentored my school’s club
and to me, this had become an
example of the relationship that
all Interactors, Rotaractors and
schools should build with their
Rotary clubs. In Grade 11, I was
part of the Interact committee and
one of five Interactors selected
to attend a RYLA camp. It was a
life-changing experience and the
interesting lessons we learned were
Bitten by the
service
bug

numerous and ranged from daredevil
activities to teambuilding exercises.
One of the lessons we took back to
our club was that the most important
contribution to community service is
not your time or money, but rather the
unique mark you leave on the lives
of those you help. We were inspired
by what we had learned and used
this inspiration to increase our club
membership.
I was asked to be a RYLA Leader
when I was in Grade 12. Watching
and assisting other people experience
what I had previously experienced,
was phenomenal. I returned home
with many more lessons to share with
my club, the most important of which
was - if you have, give. When you
learn, teach and above all, be ever
mindful of those less fortunate than
you.
After the camp, I was afforded
the opportunity to share my RYLA
experiences at a district meeting. As
a young person surrounded by the
greater, and older, Rotary community
I was very nervous as these were the
people which every Interactor should
aspire to become. The presentation
allowed me to showcase how RYLA,
Interact and Rotary had changed my
life.
Today, I am a student at Rhodes
University and am a member
of its Rotaract club. The skills,
opportunities and life lessons learnt
as a young Interactor are what made
this possible. Going forward, my
goals are to attend an International
RYLA, gain more skills to assist my
community and club, to remain part of
Rotary International and ultimately, to
join the Rotary club back home.
As a Rotaractor, I continue to grow
more and more passionate about
people and service-based leadership.
My experiences with Rotary have
been life altering and my commitment
is lifelong. My Rotary journey is an on-
going adventure and is continuously
encompassed by The Four-Way Test.
“It is a dream come true,” said Laticha van Wageningen,
the arts and culture head at Knysna Primary School and
head of the new music academy there.
The Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350) and a number of
Rotarians from abroad made her dream come true when
they presented van Wageningen with a large quantity of
“spectacular instruments that will change the lives of many
children in Knysna.”
Van Wageningen’s young musicians entertained the club
and its international guests at the November in Knysna
golfing event.
“Music is a language all on its own and to be able to teach
this to children opens up a world of respect and creates
a place of safety. Music teaches flexibility. It touches the
human heart on a very intimate level and it inspires passion,”
van Wageningen explained.
Van Wageningen shared her dream of establishing the
Knysna Music Academy at Knysna Primary School with
Rotarian PP Sesel Hartshorne-Möller who invited her to
Music school
dream realised

a club meeting to explain her
vision. “There I shared my dream
and the seed was planted. Sesel
approached me to get a band
together for the golf tournament
and we had two months to
rehearse. The learners practised
day and night. They were at the
academy during school breaks
and worked extremely hard.”
She was under the impression
that the learners were going to
play in exchange for a set of
marimbas. “Little did we know
that the marimbas would be the
least of the huge gift bestowed on
us!” Sesel Hartshorne-Möller and
her spouse Emil Möller donated
R30 000 towards the purchase of
marimbas for the Knysna Primary
School Music Academy.
Van Wageningen said what
made the gifts extra special was
that the foreign Rotarians left little
messages in the boxes. “Most of
the instruments are of high quality
having belonged to Europeans
who are now either professional
musicians or teachers.” Van
Wageningen said this gift created
a wave of interest in music at the
school.
Knysna Primary School has big
dreams for the music academy.
“We are accredited for the world-
renowned Trinity exam. These
instruments mean that children,
who would never have had the
opportunity to learn how to play
music, will now get that chance.
The instruments will be available
during and after school hours to
anyone who has a passion for
music.
“We are teaching them to
become entrepreneurs. If you can
play an instrument, you will never
go hungry. The joy of being able
to share something beautiful is a
gift in itself.
“Rotary really makes dreams
come true.”
Kariega Main Beach was buzzing with activity as learners
from the Interact Club of Ikamvalesizwe Combined School
and volunteers from Hobbiton-on-Hogsback enjoyed a two
day holiday camp organised and sponsored by the Rotary
Club of Kenton on Sea (D9370). Hobbiton Director, Josh
Paton led the pilot project.
After dividing the learners into teams, the Hobbiton volunteers
were on hand to help with activities ranging from sandcastle
building competitions to abseiling from the Kariega Bridge.
As each team completed its tasks, points were awarded or
subtracted based on performance. In a team race from Diaz
Club to Middle Beach, via the Kariega slipway, and then back
to Kariega Main Beach, team members were not allowed to be
further than ten metres from each other. After a picnic lunch on
the beach, the learners showed community spirit by picking up
litter.
Setting off in high spirits from Bushmans River car park, the
group hiked to Diaz Cross. With a questionnaire to be completed
on the way, they were kept busy scanning the shore and
horizons for answers. A highlight of the day was being shown
how to dig for fresh water in the dunes. After lunch, the children
sandboarded in a stiff easterly wind. In spite of being coated
in sand, they were still smiling as they were driven back to
Ekuphumleni by Rotarians and the Hobbiton volunteers.
camping
adventure

In January, 20 Interactors from seven
high schools in Knysna participated in an
enlightening Know Your Town programme.
This initiative was started by Rotarian Mendy
Weiner of the Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350)
some years ago and has continued to grow in
popularity since.
Several Rotarians and an Ann provided
transport between venues. Two very welcome
lunch breaks kept everyone well fed and happy.
On the first day, the group was welcomed
and shown the outpatients, emergency,
radiography and pharmacy departments of the
Knysna Provincial Hospital by Sister Nthombi
Thambekwayo and other members of staff.
Next, the group went to the magistrates court.
The chief control prosecutor, Herman Steyn, took
them to one of the court rooms where different
court procedures were explained.
A visit to the holding cells and a brief time
watching a court case was enough to convince
everyone that it is far better to remain on the right
side of the law.
A brief but interesting visit to the post office
was followed by a short visit to the fire station.
Dorian Innes gave a quick overview of equipment
and procedure and answered many questions.
Next up was a visit to the reverse osmosis
water treatment plant on George Rex Drive which
was unfortunately not in use and less interesting
than it could have been.
The day ended at the NSRI where the
Interactors received some insight from the station
commander, Jerome Simonis, into the work done
by a small group of dedicated volunteers who
assist and rescue people.
The second day started at Absa Bank before a
visit to the municipal offices. Mayoress Geraldine
Wolmarans gave the group an overview of the
way the council functions, as well as her personal
role.
The next visit to Correctional Services brought
everyone down to earth with a bang. Doors were
unlocked on their arrival and ominously locked
behind them. Stern instructions were issued
regarding what could and couldn’t be done.
The group was shown the prison kitchens, the
computer training facility and the hospital.
That afternoon, they enjoyed a breeze off the
lagoon as they were taken through some aspects
of the work of the SANParks rangers. They
experienced what the rangers do when they’re
patrolling in boats and what is required to gather
food for the special Knysna seahorses.
The day ended with a visit to the police station.
Once again, the Interactors were encouraged to
make the right choices and use their opportunities
wisely.
The mortuary had its usual macabre attraction,
but the dedication of the people who work
there with care and commitment made a great
impression.
This programme was a significant educational
experience for all the Interactors who attended
and the adults who participated found it equally
meaningful.
know your town
The 2015 Know Your Town Interactors from Percy Madla High School, Knysna Senior Sekondêre,
Knysna High School, Knysna Montessori , Oakhill School, Concordia High School and Heatherhill
College.

Members of the Rotaract Club of Grahamstown
Sunset (D9370) have been keeping themselves
busy. Recent activities included a morning at
the SPCA, a visit to Lusuko Pre-School to give
a donation of counters and chips to the children
and a visit to Salem Crossroads. The club also
donated towels, soap, caps and shoes to the men
of Salem. Above: Rotaractor Kelly Naude watches
as a donkey tries to sneak a treat. Right: President
Sarah Southey enjoying some puppy love.
The Rotary Club of Harare Central (D9210)
convened its 10th annual Interact Officers
Training Seminar for clubs in and around
Harare. A total of 271 Interactors and 43
faculty advisors from 40 Interact clubs, as
well as Rotarians, Rotaractors and Youth
Exchange Students attended. Speakers
discussed topics such as environmental
awareness, drunk drinking, the history of
Rotary and The Four-Way Test. Members
of the 2014 Rotary Youth Exchange
outbound class shared their experiences
of life in France, Germany and Mexico.
The seminar featured a breakaway
session where Rotarians and faculty
advisors discussed the successes and
challenges of their Interact clubs in 2014.
The Rotary Club of Cape of Good Hope
(D9350) recently said a fond farewell to
Kelsey Carson, a matriculant of Fish Hoek
High School and long-term Rotary Youth
Exchange student to Hazebrouck in northern
France. The town is also home to Lisa
Godderis, a French exchange student to Fish
Hoek, who will return home in June. Saying
farewell at the airport are Rotarian Susan
O’Hagan Ward, Kelsey Carson and her father,
Allan, President Bev Frieslich, Lisa Godderis
and Rotarian Kirti Patel.

District Governor Andrew Jaeger visited the Rotary Club of Orkney (D9370) and enjoyed
entertaining the elderly at Oleander Park Old Age Home and visiting Letsatsi Primary School. The
visit was concluded with a dinner that evening where a cheque for R10 000 was given to the Lions
Wheelchair Basketball team. At the dinner are President Collin Hyman, DG Andrew Jaeger, his wife
Christine and Ann President Arlene Jacobs.
The Rotary Club of Nairobi
Utumishi (D9212) gave Martin
Lau Kiio (29) a new left hand.
The LN-4 Prosthetic hand given
to Martin is a new, larger model
of the hand which is given free
of charge to people who can’t
afford prosthetics for themselves.
Martin, who presently works as a
hawker, lost his hand two years
ago while using a power saw.
Jean Ravelonarivo, a past district governor of District 9220
(2013/14), has taken office as Madagascar’s Prime Minister.
Madagascar’s President, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, named
General Jean Ravelonarivo as the new head of government
after Roger Kolo and the entire government resigned.

Roundup
The Rotary Club of White River (D9400) has supported
Flamboyant School for Learners with Special Needs since
its inception. Its main form of support has been provided by
donations to the school’s bursary fund. In 1993, the club
sponsored a dormitory for the school and donated R30 000
to the bursary fund. Since then, the school has received
a washing machine and security fencing from the club.
The Anns have also supported the school and donated
two extra-large cooking pots. The Rotarians facilitated
the delivery of a consignment of books from a donor
abroad. Starting in 2009, the school has received an annual
donation of R40 000 from the club. President George Müller,
PP Leon van Zyl and Hitesh Motiram hand a cheque for
R40 000 to Gail van der Riet of Flamboyant School.
The Rotary Club of Ballito (D9370) held a grocery
collection at Tiffanys Spar in Salt Rock. About
R25 000 worth of groceries were packed and given
to the needy and Westbrooke Home for the Aged.
Packing the food hampers are Sheila Broadbent,
PDGA Sonia Brookes, Mauro Peranovich and
Mannie Stefano.
Nearly 2 400 cyclists took part in the annual
Rotary Club of Paarl (D9350) Bouckaert
Soenen fun ride. Road and mountain bike
cyclists took part in the event and Rotarians
manned the registration tables.
The Rotary Club of Pretoria
Capital (D9400) collected books
and bed linen from the Rotary
Humanitarian Centre to support an
education programme in Diepsloot.
This project, founded by Hands
of Joy, uses rhythm to develop
the artistic and learning skills of
underprivileged children aged
eight to 16 years.

The Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park (D9370) gave Wonderbags to women from the rural
communities of Folweni and Nsimbini. These bags will allow them to cook meals safely for their
families. The Wonderbag is a portable, non-electric slow cooker. It continues for up to eight hours
to cook food which has been brought to the boil by conventional methods.
The Rotary Club of
Vanderbijlpark (D9400)
helped Taaibos Primary
School start its year
with a bang. The club
donated stationery and
sports equipment, worth
R10 000, for the school’s
640 children to use. With
the happy children are
Bertie Visser, President
Petro Bester, Rita
Beneke, Phillip Notnagel
and principal Koos Louw
(front).
Carl Grossmann, past president of Rotary
Club of Hillcrest (D9370), has dedicated his
14th Comrades Marathon to the Starfish
Greathearts Foundation. Starfish is one of the
nominated charity organisations which can
benefit from Comrades runners’ donations.
Rotarians are encouraged to support this
effort and online donations can be made at
https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/personal/
profile.php?eventid=2400&recordid=19227
The Rotary Club of Vereeniging (D9400) held a
Christmas party for children from eight children’s
homes in the Vaal Triangle. The 120 children were
treated to a morning of fun and entertainment at
the Boswell Wilkie Circus Tent in Henley on Klip.
They were assisted by the circus staff as they
tried out the tightrope, trampoline, high swings,
juggling and hoola hoops. Staff were also on hand
to paint their faces and a magic show had the little
ones shrieking with laughter. After a fun day of
adventure and great food, the children returned to
the homes with a goodie bag containing sweets
and a Christmas gift.

ROTARYAFRICACLASSIFIEDS
ACCOMMODATION OFFERED
*** B&B ACCOMMODATION in Kimberley
Staying over in Kimberley, The Nook B&B
*** Semi-Self Catering B&B offers excellent
accommodation and rates. All rooms luxury en-
suite with private entrance and secure parking.
Close to CBD and places of interest. For more
info contact Rtn Rob Gibson at 072 116 8390
Web: www.thenookbnb.co.za
KIMBERLEY’S GUM TREE Lodge offers budget
accommodation (200 Beds) from R150-00 pp in
backpackers to R400-00 pps or R500 dbl en-
suite. Twin sharing accommodation R250 single
or R400 dbl. Meals in adjacent Old Diggers
(Licensed) Restaurant. Your host Jeannette.
Tel: 053 832 8577, cell 076 371 0930, fax: 053
831 5409, E-mail: gumtreelodge@telkomsa.net
Website: www.gumtreelodge.com
PRETORIA. PARK GABLES Guesthouse***,
conveniently situated, offers first class B&B
accommodation in a warm, homely atmosphere,
while respecting comfort and privacy.Asanctuary
away from the hustle and bustle of city life!
Rooms en-suite. Secure parking. Near Gautrain
Hatfield Station. Visit www.parkgables.co.za Call
012 344 0390 for reservations. Discount applies.
SIMON’S TOWN self catering flats. Two sleeper.
Sunroom & magnificent views. Close to Cape
Point, the penguins at Boulders and the golf
course. A stone’s throw from the beach. Off street
parking. R550 p/n. May to September: Pay for
6 and stay for 7 nights. Four sleeper. Fantastic
views of Simon’s Town R650 per night. Contact:
peteandme@mweb.co.za. Tel: 021 786 3331.
Cell: 074 915 7747.
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION 2015
Planning to study at any institution in Port
Elizabeth in 2015? Book now! Rooms available
in Summerstrand, Central, Cape Road and North
End single or sharing rooms, fully furnished.
Price ranges from R1 200 to R3 000pm. One
month deposit required, neat and secure. Call:
082 743 6939. www.quickaccommodation.co.za
fb:http:facebook.com/QuickAcc.pe or email
quickaccommodation@gmail.com
MISCELLANEOUS
CONSTANTIABERG FUNERAL Home: Sensitive,
dignified and personal service by Alan Lindhorst
–all hours, anywhere within 200km of Cape
Town. Very reasonable prices & premiums. Cnr
Kenilworth & Rosmead Ave, Kenilworth. 021 671
2400 or 083 653 6536.
DISCLAIMER: All opinions published are not the opinion
of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the
accuracyofanyoftheopinions,informationoradvertisements
in this publication. No responsibility is accepted for the quality
of advertised goods or services or the accuracy of material
submitted for reproduction. To the extent permitted by law, the
publishers, their employees, agents and contractors exclude
allliabilitytoanypersonforanyloss,damage,costorexpense
incurredasaresultofmaterialinthispublication.
AFRICACONTAINERSALESDIVISION OF WESLEY CONTAINER SALES cc
STORAGE : REFRIGERATED : CONVERSIONS BEST
PRICESAND QUALITY : 3m, 6m, 12m
25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
DENNIS WESLEY:0837336208email - dennisw@acsales.co.za
Email
Get your free,
up-to-date Which
Club Meets Today
emailed to you
GET IT NOW!
Promote your
fundraisers!
Ask about our special rates
for club and district projects!
Contact Sharon at
SCOTTBURGH
122 en-suite rooms.
Overlooking beach. Airport
transfers arranged.
Daily and evening
entertainment.
Special rates for seniors.
Tel: 039 978 3361
Fax: 039 976 0971
Email: info@bluemarlin.co.za
www.bluemarlin.co.za
NEWLY
REFURBISHED

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It fosters continuity in
leadership.
It enables clubs to track
their progress.
It creates transparency.
It showcases the important
work that Rotary clubs do
worldwide.
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Rotary Africa March 2015

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Rotary Africa March 2015