Rotary africa may2015-website

rotary africarotary africaEstablished in 1927 ♦ A member of the Rotary World Magazine Press ♦ May 2015
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Run, swim, cycle and fundraise
www.rotaryafrica.com

2 ♦ Rotary Africa ♦ May 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
What can we do?
Sarah
Xenophobia. A single word which invokes a sense
of horror and helplessness among the majority of
South Africans. A seemingly insoluble problem.
The eruption of xenophobic violence has left
most South Africans, as well as the rest of Africa,
horrified. Whenever I watch or read reports of the
situation, I am left ashamed, revolted, saddened
and angry. I am furious and frustrated by the level
of ignorance and prejudice which is evident in the
reasons given for this barbaric violence. But then I
read something which gave me hope and made me
proud of my fellow South Africans.
A freelance journalist posted on Facebook that
reports had been received of a situation in Katlehong
township. Apparently, South African men were
standing on street corners to protect the foreigners
living in their neighbourhoods and a thug who had
appeared in one of the township sections had been
arrested after he tried to incite violence. These men
were not willing to let their neighbours live in fear.
Could it actually be that simple? When faced with
an overwhelming problem, a small group of men
stood up and implemented a simple plan. Imagine
if that could be replicated in conflict zones across
the globe?
This made me realise how important our peace
projects are. Most problems communities face
can best be solved at grassroots level. Many are
inclined to say that governments, politicians and
lofty academics must find the solutions to the
impossible problems but, honestly, if those men in
Katlehong have shown us anything it is that all it
takes is a group of people willing ask themselves,
“What can we do?” This is how I believe many of
our socio-economic problems can be solved – one
neighbourhood, one community, one region at a
time.
If you think about it, this is the same principle
which Rotary operates on. Clubs and districts tackle
problems one neighbourhood, one community and
one region at time. From there it snowballs. This is
how we do good in the world – it’s something to be
proud of.
Have a wonderful month,
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,
One of my favourite parts of a Rotary
convention is the House of Friendship. In
Chinese, we say: 有朋自遠方來，不亦樂乎.
“To have friends come together from faraway
places is a wonderful thing.”
At the 106th annual Rotary International
Convention, 6 to 9 June, the House of Friendship
will reflect the excitement and diverse blend of
cultures of São Paulo, the host city.
In between general sessions, you can relax
and enjoy all that Brazil has to offer – sample the
cuisine, browse locally made gifts and take in top-
quality entertainment. You also can get ideas for
service and find partners at booths showcasing
Rotary projects and Rotarian Action Groups.
And best of all, you’ll have the opportunity to
spend time with old friends and make many new
ones.
The House of Friendship is a wonderful
place to bring your convention guests – your
family and your friends from home. By attending
conventions with me, my family experienced the
true internationality of Rotary. Eventually my
wife, Corinna, and all three of my children joined
Rotary clubs.
You and your guests will want to be sure to
come early for World Water Summit 7, on 4
June, sponsored by the Water and Sanitation
Rotarian Action Group, or for the Rotary Peace
Symposium, 4 to 5 June.
This year we are honoured that Dr Óscar
Arias Sánchez, former president of Costa Rica,
will be the keynote speaker at the Rotary Peace
Symposium.
Other events 4 to 5 June include the Rotaract
Preconvention Meeting, the International Institute
and the Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention
Meeting.
When the convention is over, spend time
exploring all that Brazil has to offer – pristine
beaches just a few hours away, the excitement
and glamour of Rio de Janeiro and the wonders
of the Amazon rain forest.
Every year, I return from the Rotary convention
inspired to do more, to give more in Rotary
service throughout the year. Register today at
www.riconvention.org. I look forward to seeing
you in São Paulo!

ROTARY
Members*: 1 207 102
Clubs*: 34 823
ROTARACT
Members: 174 984
Clubs: 7 608
INTERACT
Members:406 249
Clubs: 17 663
RCCs
Members: 188 301
Corps: 8 187
Rotary at a Glance
as of 29 December - *28 February
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
Almost
time Foundation trustee
chair, John Kenny
As we enter May, we have two months left to
ensure that you have made your contribution to
Rotary’s charity, our Rotary Foundation.
There is still time to ensure that it is greater than
it was last year – our goal for the Annual Fund is
US$123 million, the highest it’s ever been.And there’s
still time to ensure that your contribution enables
our Foundation to continue to do good in the world
– and that you can have the personal satisfaction of
contributing to this in a meaningful way.
May means that there’s also just over one month
untiltheRotaryInternationalConventioninSãoPaulo,
Brazil. This year we have outstanding speakers on
Foundation-related topics, both at the convention and
at the Rotary Peace Symposium held immediately
prior to the convention. They include Nobel Peace
Prize winner Dr Óscar Arias Sánchez, Australian
entrepreneur Steve Killelea, Rotary Peace Fellow
Katia de Mello Dantas and Global Alumni Service to
Humanity Award winner Geetha Jayaram.
Arias Sánchez was president of Costa Rica from
1986 to 1990 and 2006 to 2010. He received the
Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his role as architect and
peace-broker in ending multiple conflicts in Central
America. Arias continues to be an international force
for peace building through his personal activities and
theArias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress.
Killelea is an Australian entrepreneur and
philanthropist, known internationally as the developer
of the Global Peace Index. In 2007, he established
the Institute for Economics and Peace as a vehicle to
build a greater understanding of the interconnection
between business, peace and economics.
Dantas received her master’s degree in
internationaldevelopmentpolicyfromDukeUniversity
in 2009. She works tirelessly on behalf of vulnerable
children as the Latin America and Caribbean policy
director for the International Centre for Missing and
Exploited Children.
I look forward to seeing you in São Paulo.

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
There’s an app for that
Convention countdown
Whether you’re a seasoned convention goer
or a first-time attendee, the Rotary Events app
can help you get the most out of this year’s
Rotary International Convention, 6 to 9 June
in São Paulo, Brazil.
The free app makes it easy to plan each day’s
activities, learn about featured speakers and
entertainment, download resources and connect
with friends. It can also help you navigate the
convention venue and House of Friendship with
interactive maps, upload your photos to the
convention photo album and rate sessions and
provide feedback to convention organisers.
You don’t have to be connected to the Internet
to use the app. Once you’ve downloaded it, most
of the information is available to you offline.
Download the Rotary Events app through
the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads,
through Google Play for Android and through the
BlackBerry App Store for BlackBerry.
Here are some other apps that can help you
enjoy your time in Brazil, all available for Apple
and Android devices:
Brazil Travel Guide (by Tripwolf)
Combines tips from professional travel writers
with a worldwide community of travellers to offer
unique recommendations and guides.
São Paulo Travel Guide – Augmented Reality
(by eTips)
Get restaurant reviews, bus times and museum
hours simply by pointing your phone’s camera at
the restaurant, bus stop or museum.
Word Lens (now part of Google Translate)
Use your phone’s camera to translate
Portuguese street signs, menus and other text
into English.
Register for the 2015 RI Convention in São
Paulo at www.riconvention.org.

the literacy toolby Regional Rotary Coordinator - Zone 20A South, PDG Natty Moodley
www.rcnatty.blogspot.comNatty’s Natter
Literacy is crucial to the success of individuals
in both their career aspirations and quality of
life. It is more than a basic reading ability. It is an
indication of how adults use written information
to function in society. Strong literacy skills
are closely linked to the probability of having
a good job, decent earnings and accessing
training opportunities. Individuals with weak
literacy skills are more likely to be unemployed
or if employed, to be in jobs that pay little or
which offer poor hours or working conditions.
Traditionally, literacy refers to the ability to read,
understand and use information. However the term
has taken on a broader meaning, standing for a
range of knowledge, skills and abilities relating
to reading, mathematics, science and more. This
reflects widespread and deep changes that have
taken place in technology and in the organisation
of work over the past quarter century. The ability
to use and apply key mathematics and science
concepts is now necessary across a wide range of
occupations.
Literacy is fundamental for learning in school. It
has an impact on an individual’s ability to participate
in society and to understand important public
issues. It provides the foundation upon which skills
needed in the labour market are built.
Technology, and the science behind it,
permeates all aspects of our lives, from how we
work and communicate to what we shop for and
how we pay our bills. The complexity of today’s
world means that individuals need to have some
level of proficiency in reading, mathematics and
science in order to understand and participate fully
in economic and social life.
A population’s literacy skills also have a bearing
on how well a country performs economically.
The world we live in today is vastly different from
that of a generation ago. Technological changes
have transformed the way in which we work
and the labour market is rapidly evolving from
manufacturing and agriculture to one based on
services. These changes have, in turn, increased
skill requirements. Countries that are successful
in endowing their populations with strong skills are
usually in a better position to meet the economic
challenges of operating in a globalised information
economy.
Finally, having a population which has strong
literacy skills also places a country in a better
position to meet the complex social challenges
that it faces. For example, strong literacy skills are
linked to better health outcomes for individuals.
A highly literate population will be better able to
deal with issues of governance in a vastly diverse
society.
As I write I am on my way to Mauritius on
holiday. A nice break away from work and Rotary
matters. A week full of sun, sea and fun. Reading
through the morning’s newspaper I noted that 14
to 21 March was declared Library Week in South
Africa. Libraries connect people to each other and
to knowledge and information. It provides access
to information on every subject matter including
health and hygiene, economic empowerment,
poverty alleviation, education and much more.
All of these are focus areas within our wonderful
organisation. Libraries also provide us with an
opportunity to connect via the internet to online
learning opportunities using research tools. Like all
things that have evolved over the years, libraries
too have evolved. They no longer just provide a
place where we borrow books. They are places
of technology and information in our fast moving
environment.
Libraries are rather special to me. My first job
after my secondary schooling was at a Durban
library as a library assistant. I spent three years
there learning the various aspects of library
science, including the Dewey decimal system
which classifies books according to their field of
interest. It was also the place that allowed me the
opportunity of starting my academic studies on a
part time basis with this job to fund them.
Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all
and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child
mortality, achieving gender equality and ensuring
sustainable development, peace and harmony. It is
for this reason that literacy is the core of education.
Rotary provides us with a wonderful opportunity
to share, give a gift, take responsibility together
and encourage others. It also provides us with an
opportunity to improve the skills of people so that
they are given a better chance of success - after
all everyone has the same dreams, hopes, needs
and goals.

our foundation
By PDG Anne Botha - Regional Rotary Foundation Co-ordinator Zone 20A South
Doing good in the world
The Rotary Foundation may seem like a confusing
entity. However, understanding a few key points
makes it less intimidating.
Funding - The Annual Fund-Share is the primary
source of funding for a broad range of local and
international Rotary Foundation activities.
Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) is the
fundraising initiative to encourage support for the
Foundation’s Annual Fund. EREY aims to engage
every member by encouraging every Rotarian
to contribute to the Annual Fund every year and
to participate in at least one Foundation grant or
programme every year. The Endowment Fund
ensures the long-term viability of the Foundation and
its grants and programmes. Spendable earnings from
this endowed fund enable the Foundation to expand
existing activities and underwrite new ones. The fund
also supports the Rotary Peace Centres.
Recognition - The Foundation offers a number
of recognition opportunities to individuals and
clubs. Individual recognition opportunities include:
Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member; Paul Harris
Fellowship; Certificate of Appreciation; Multiple Paul
Harris Fellowship; Paul Harris Society; Major Donor;
Arch C Klumph Society; Benefactor and Bequest
Society. Club recognition opportunities include: Every
Rotarian, Every Year Club, 100% Paul Harris Fellow
Club; 100% Rotary Foundation; Sustaining Member
Club; Top Three Per Capita Clubs in Annual Fund
Giving and Foundation awards.
Grants - Foundation grants support Rotarians’ efforts
to change lives and serve communities. District grants
are grants which enable clubs and districts to address
immediate needs in their communities and abroad.
Districts may request up to 50 percent of their District
Designated Fund for one grant annually. Districts
manage and disburse these funds to support district
and club sponsored activities, including vocational
training teams, scholarships, humanitarian service
projects and cultural exchanges, provided they are
aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
Global Grants offer clubs and districts opportunities
to participate in strategically focused, high-impact
activities. These grants fund large-scale international
humanitarian projects, vocational training teams
and scholarships that have sustainable, measurable
outcomes in one or more of Rotary’s areas of focus.
The Foundation’s Areas of Focus are peace and
conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment,
water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic
education and literacy, as well as economic and
community development.
Sustainability of projects and activities is always of
importance. To The Rotary Foundation, sustainability
means providing solutions to community needs
in such a way that the benefiting community can
maintain the activities after grant funding ends.
The Foundation also funds Scholarships and
Vocational Training Teams
Polio - When the PolioPlus programme was launched
in 1985, there were more than 350 000 polio cases
in over 125 countries. Since 1988, the incidence
of polio has decreased by 99 percent. As of 2013,
Rotary’s contributions to polio eradication totalled
US$1.2 billion. These grants are funded from the
general PolioPlus Fund and District Designated Fund
contributions.
Peace - Rotary Peace Fellowships enable individuals
to pursue a graduate degree in international relations,
peace, conflict resolution and related subjects or
a professional development certificate in peace
and conflict studies at one of the six Rotary Peace
Centres. Fellowships are supported through a pool of
funds contributed by restricted gifts, the World Fund
and from District Designated Funds.
Alumni - More than 122 000 people have participated
in Foundation programmes since 1947. Foundation
alumni include former Ambassadorial Scholars,
Global Grant scholars, Rotary Peace Fellows, Group
Study Exchange and Vocational Training Team
leaders and members, recipients of Rotary Grants
for University Teachers and various Rotary volunteer
grants. Exchange students, Interactors, Rotaractors
and RYLA participants are also Rotary alumni.
Source: Rotary International

Your legacy will be written on lives - please
consider the Salvation Army
www.salvationarmy.org.za
In an effort to bring our programmes for
young leaders closer to Rotary, a new set of
logos and signatures has been designed in
alignment with our organisation’s updated
visual guidelines. This short guide will help
you understand our new look for Interact,
Rotaract, Rotary Youth Exchange and Rotary
Youth Leadership Awards.
More resources will be available online in the
coming months. Look for new tools and templates
that will help you apply our new look to your
brochures, PowerPoint presentations, websites
and other print and digital communications.
Rotaract. The Rotaract signature consists of
the Rotaract wordmark (Rotaract name above
a Rotary endorsement line) and the Mark of
Excellence (Rotary wheel) in cranberry.
Interact. The Interact signature consists of the
Interact wordmark (Interact name above a Rotary
endorsement line) and the Mark of Excellence
(Rotary wheel) in sky blue.
Rotary Youth Exchange and Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards (RYLA). You can create a
unique look for your club, district or multidistrict
Youth Exchange or RYLA programme. This
consists of the club or district signature along with
a graphic or text treatment.
Lockups are to be used to show a relationship
between Rotary and Youth Exchange or RYLA.
These consist of the district or club signature in
conjunction with the programme text, which can
be styled in any of our official fonts. For more
details, see our complete guidelines in the Brand
Centre at rotary.org/brandcenter.
New logos for
youth programmes

A documentary film produced by Rotary’s
broadcast media department, which features
Rotarian Marion Bunch and her work to prevent
the spread of HIV/AIDS in underprivileged
African communities, won two 2015 Telly
Awards.
The prestigious awards are given annually to
the finest film and video productions. Rotary’s
documentary, Rotary Family Health Days, received
a Silver Telly, the highest honour in the online video-
documentary category and a Bronze Telly in the
online video-branded content and entertainment
category. The documentary was broadcast by the
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
and throughout Africa.
“What we tried to accomplish with the film was to
get the good news and the good deeds out there so
that the non-Rotary world can see it,” says producer
Andrew Chudzinski.
The film documents the tremendous burden HIV/
AIDS places on African families and communities.
It covers the journeys of two women: South African
grandmother Me Maria, who is raising her two
grandsons whose parents died of AIDS, and Marion
Bunch, from Atlanta, USA, who became a global
advocate for AIDS prevention and the inspiration
for Rotary Family Health Days after she lost her son
to the disease.
“Because of that one single tragedy, my life’s
journey changed dramatically, from a very engaged
businesswoman to a warrior on AIDS and advocate
of human rights,” Bunch told senior White House
staff in October, when she was honoured as one
of 10 Rotary Women of Action for 2014. A member
of the Rotary Club of Dunwoody (D6900), Bunch
is the founder and CEO of Rotarians for Family
Health and AIDS Prevention, a group of members
that collaborates with Rotary clubs and districts on
health-related projects.
The Rotary Health Days project, now in its fifth
year and supported by Rotary clubs in Africa, has
grown to deliver free basic health care, including
Marion Bunch during an event at the White
House that named her and nine others Rotary’s
2014 Women of Action, honouring them for
helping people in need. Photo: Alyce Henson ©
Rotary International.
by Adam Ross, Rotary News
HIV/AIDS screening and other preventive services,
to underserved communities in Ghana, Nigeria,
South Africa and Uganda. It began in 2010, when
Ugandan Stephen Mwanje, then governor of District
9200, asked Bunch if the Rotarian group would
organise a multisite, comprehensive health event.
“The tremendous burden on the families of those
infected by HIV/AIDS - particularly for older people
caring for their terminally ill children and raising
their grandchildren and for children orphaned by
this disease - is incalculable,” says Bunch. “This is
a story of people coming together to help fight this
global killer and other preventable diseases.”
The award-winning documentary was a joint
project of the public relations and broadcast media
staff at Rotary’s world headquarters in Evanston,
Illinois. In addition to Chudzinski, producer Vivian
Fiore, video editor Todd Murphy and executive
producer Stephen Guenther worked on the film.
“We went through many different outlines,
thoughts and angles, and worked closely with
Marion on it,” says Fiore. “It evolved into a better
piece than we all imagined.”
In 2012, Rotary won a Silver Telly for its
documentary Doing Good in the World: Growing
Local Economies.
Watch the full length documentary, Rotary Family
Health Days, at www.vimeo.com/87311787
highest
honour

Rose Meda Donkor ignored her father’s
repeated invitations to join the Rotary Club
of Sunyani Central (D9102, Ghana) north
of Accra. Donkor, 36, wasn’t interested in
attending meetings because “those Rotary
people,” she thought to herself, “were just
too old.”
That was four years ago, before she was
introduced to a visiting Rotarian, Walter Hughes,
a member of the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount
(D7570, USA). “You love people,” he said to her,
“you want to give back. So why not join?” She told
him the truth: She felt out of place; there wasn’t
anyone her age.
Meanwhile, Senyo Agbedra, a Sunyani Central
club member, had been trying unsuccessfully to
bring young professionals into his club. When he
met Donkor, he shared an idea for creating a new
club for younger members.
She was excited about the possibility and
talked to friends, including Michael Kwabena
Gyamfi, 30, a civil servant. They too expressed a
passion to serve and, at this stage in their careers,
a desire to form professional connections. With
guidance from Agbedra and Emmanuel Foster
Boateng, a past president of the Sunyani Central
club, they founded the Rotary Club of Sunyani
East in 2013. Gyamfi was the club’s first president
and Donkor was vice president.
The 35 members – professionals who include
a nurse and a doctor – soon developed the new
club’s identity by serving the community. Their
signature project is supporting the education
of inmates at Sunyani Central Prisons. The
Rotarians volunteer to teach the inmates in their
areas of specialisation and are working on a
US$20 000 renovation to improve the vocational
training facilities, with the goal of better equipping
inmates to reintegrate into the community.
The club also funds quarterly disinfestations
to reduce disease related to overcrowding -
the facility was built for 300 inmates, but now
holds 900. The club is also working with the
Rotary Clubs of Sunyani Central and Nanaimo-
Oceanside (D5020, Canada) on a project, funded
by a Rotary Foundation Global Grant, to update
and repair three schools in the city of Sunyani.
Rotary offers young men and women in
Ghana a unique perspective, notes 2012/13
Sunyani Central club president, Kofi Nyamaah-
A club of their own

Koffuor. “In our country,” he
says, “everything is politicised.
If the politicians realise you
didn’t vote for them, they don’t
bring their work to you. But
Rotary is nonpartisan. These
young members see that we
go everywhere and we accept
everybody.”
“Getting younger folks into
Rotary is a little easier for some
of us,” Gyamfi says, “because
throughout the day we interact
with young professionals. And
then you get the chance to
chip in a few things about ‘Why
don’t you join us to do some
good? How do you spend your
evenings?’ Most of the time, you
realise that these are people
who want to do something, but
they don’t know what to do. And
so the idea of Rotary comes in
very handy for them.”
The Sunyani East club has
created excitement, Donkor
says, partly because it’s informal
and spontaneous. “Sometimes
we show up at our meetings
in jeans and other times we
decide to come in traditional
wear. Every day we try to
spice it up a little so it doesn’t
become boring.” The club has
incorporated technology into
its activities too. Through social
media platforms, members can
join meetings if they’re out of
town and provide live updates
if they’re visiting other clubs.
The club also holds a quarterly
social activity, in which a
member hosts other Rotarians
for a day of fun.
Serving others is a valuable
experience for young people,
Gyamfi notes. “At our age,” he
says, “we spend most of our
time trying to find ourselves,
but we also need to find how to
improve the community in which
we live. By doing that, we make
ourselves better.”
– STEPHEN YAFA
Young people in Sunyani, Ghana, formed a new Rotary club.
Social activities and service projects create ways for members to
serve, have fun and develop professional networks.
Photos: The Rotary Club of Sunyani East.
projects
President Kwaku Adjei-Manu addresses the club during a
meeting.

Photos: Tammy Lieberman Photography - www.tammylieberman.com
united
behind
its
heroes

In March, fires swept through South Africa’s
Western Cape province. The infernos claimed
the lives of two firefighters, injured three
more, damaged or destroyed 13 properties
and cost the city of Cape Town more than
R6 million – of which at least R3 million was
spent on two water-bombing helicopters.
The 198 hours of flying time cost about R2.4
million and as much as two million litres of
water was dumped on the fire in about 2 000
water drops. At one stage, there were seven
different fires raging through the Western
Cape province.
The major fire began in Muizenberg on 1
March and was contained, but flared up again on
2 March. Fanned by strong winds, it soon spread
to Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay
and Tokai.
A Working on Fire helicopter pilot, Willem
Hendrick “Bees” Marais, died in a helicopter
crash while battling a fire in the Cape Point
Nature Reserve, a section of the Table Mountain
National Park. He was the second firefighter to
die during the week-long fires. Nazeem Davies,
25, had been battling a fire high in the mountains
above Porterville and was killed when he lost
control of a vehicle while heading back down a
treacherous mountain pass.
Amidst the tragedy and devastation caused by
the fires, the residents of the fairest Cape united
behind their firefighting heroes. They donated
food, water and cold drinks for the exhausted
firefighters, while companies gave equipment and
protective gear and legions of people helped wild
animals which escaped the flames. Local radio
stations collected R3 160 793 from listeners for
equipment and resources for Volunteer Wildfire
Services. Rotary clubs and other members of the
Rotary family were among those who donated
supplies and supported the firefighters.
The raging fires led to the annual Cape Town
Cycle Tour’s route being changed from a looped
109 kilometre to a circular 47 kilometre route.
Formally known as the Cape Argus Cycle Tour,
the race has a long history with Rotary. From its
early days, the Rotary Club of Claremont has
organised the event and today, it remains a 50/50
beneficiary of the race. Over the years a number
of other Cape Town based Rotary clubs have
Professional and volunteer firefighters risked
their lives to battle the fires which swept
through the Cape Peninsula in March. The
community of Cape Town rallied behind its
heroes as two lives were lost and property
was destroyed.

assisted Claremont at the event.
One such club is the Rotary Club of Cape of
Good Hope (D9350) and Rotarian Gillean Arnott
is one of the members who help with marshalling
the cyclists. Gillean shares why the 2015 event
was a special race for her.
“I had a most wonderful day marshalling the
annual Cape Town Cycle Tour. Rotarians from
the Rotary Club of Cape of Good Hope marshal
the Argus every year. After the rescheduling, due
to the fires which ravaged the Cape Peninsula,
I was assigned to Newlands forest and saw
the outstanding contribution from the volunteer
firefighters for myself.
“We arrived at the forest at 5.15am and left at
1.15pm. During this time, the firefighters lined the
street and brought huge amounts of energy and
joy into the event. They touched the hearts and
hands of many of the riders as they passed by.
“The cyclists showered the firefighters with
praise and thanks for their safekeeping, while
the firefighters thanked those who had supported
them and continued to do so.
“Not once did they leave their posts along the
road. It was a joyous day. Many stopped and
asked to be photographed with the high-spirited
firefighters.
“Quite a few of the men had obviously just
come off duty and not only did their clothes smell
of smoke, but their appearance made it clear they
had been in the thick of the fire prior to arriving at
the forest. It was moving to see these dirty, grown
men hug each other.
“When the alarm went, signalling the rekindling
of the Cape Point fire, there was immediate
reaction and a few broke away to go and report
for duty. We saw the two helicopters rise into the
sky and head towards Cape Point and sadly,
a short while later, the news of the helicopter
accident broke.
“Later on at the Noordhoek Farm Village
Concert, the band Freshly Ground performed
to raise more funds for the firefighters. Various
competitors who had taken part in the cycle tour
made a point of telling me how that short stretch
past Newlands forest had made their day.
“The memory of those firefighters celebrating
and thanking their supporters will be everlasting.
It was the highlight of the event and much
happiness was spread.
“I shall never forget it and I consider myself
very lucky to have been part of it.”
Firefighters attended and participated in the Cape Town Cycle Tour before the fires rekindled.

Schoolchildren in Malawi are getting an
enhanced education thanks to a tri-nation
partnership organised by Rotary clubs.
The Classroom Box project supplies essential
educational materials such as notebooks, pens
and rulers to schools in Malawi. It is on track to
help at least 30 000 children receive a better
school experience.
Classroom Box is the brainchild of the Rotary
Club of Northampton Becket (D1070, England).
Initially, boxes of classroom equipment were
shipped from the UK to Malawi, but the project
has evolved into a more sophisticated operation
with the addition of a South African partner, the
Shoprite Group of companies.
Funds raised in the UK through Northampton
Becket are used to buy classroom materials
at discounted wholesale rates in South Africa.
Shoprite ships the supplies on pallets to Lilongwe
in Malawi free of charge. Here volunteers from
the Rotary Club of Lilongwe (D9210) package
them into ‘class-sized’ boxes – each with supplies
for 25 children – and then organise delivery and
distribution to schools across the Lilongwe district.
The partnership has now seen 1 200 boxes of
materials delivered to Malawi, enough to provide
a boost for 30 000 children. The most recent
shipment arrived in Lilongwe at the end of 2014
and was distributed in the first few weeks of the
2015 school year.
Rotarians from Northampton Becket joined
their colleagues in Lilongwe to hand over the
latest shipment. Northampton Becket president-
elect, Mike Kitchen, says: “There is almost
everything in the box that a child needs for his or
her education.”
As well as writing materials, coloured pencils
and notebooks, the boxes contain glue sticks and
chalk – a bonus for Malawi’s teachers.
Sophie Kalinde, president of the Lilongwe club,
says: “There are a lot of needy students in Malawi
who cannot even afford a pencil. This project will
go a long way to improving the welfare of the
beneficiaries as far as education is concerned.”
Ian Hill, a trustee of Classroom Box, paid
tribute to the generosity of two key organisations
which have enabled the project to thrive. The UK
children’s charity The Toy Trust helped fund the
latest shipment with a £4 000 donation in 2014.
The support of the Shoprite Group was also
essential. The group helped source the materials
and transported them.
30 000 thank yous

An average, forty-something Port Elizabeth
father believed that his quest to complete
Ironman South Africa, demonstrated that
even “ordinary people can do extraordinary
things.”
Deon Engelke finished the Ironman, held in
Port Elizabeth, in 13 hours 52 minutes and 36
seconds and raised R35 000 for the Rotary Club
of Port Elizabeth (D9370).
The compelling challenge of completing the
Ironman’s gruelling 226 kilometres (3.8 kilometre
swim, 180 kilometre cycle and 42.2 kilometre run)
propelled the Port Elizabeth marketer into a world
of training and raising funds and awareness for
the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth.
A challenge issued by his colleague, a past
president of the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth,
Andrew Binning, sealed the deal.
“Ironman donated a race entry to our Rotary
club which a club-appointed athlete could use
to raise funds. I was happy to convince Deon to
attempt to achieve two big things at the same
time - completing Ironman and building the
community,’’ Binning says. All the money raised
will be used to support the Port Elizabeth club’s
projects and polio eradication.
“Ironman is a major part of a journey I started
a couple of years ago,” Engelke says. “I used
to be overweight and had severe lower back
trouble but over several years I shed a total of
28 kilogrammes and developed a different mind
set. It all started with a life-changing Group Study
Exchange to the United States,’’ he says.
The father of two daughters, aged 17 and 20,
hopes his ‘small story’ will inspire others to reach
beyond themselves.
“I am motivated by Rotary and the
organisation’s generosity. I have seen it change
the lives of individuals and communities.”
“I have learned many lessons, the main one
being that ordinary people like me can achieve
extraordinary things,” says Engelke
he did it for rotary
Rotary Alumnus Deon Engelke participated in the Ironman South Africa triathlon and raised a total
of R35 000 for the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth.

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
For 15 years, Past President Dennis Wesley, of the Rotary Club
of Hillcrest (D9370) and the owner of Africa Container Sales,
has been supplying Rotary clubs throughout southern Africa
with used shipping containers for use in their local projects.
The containers, which are six metres and 12 metres in length,
are easily converted to meet many different specifications. The
converted containers now house crèches, classrooms, soup kitchens,
ablutions, accommodation, training and computer rooms as well as
libraries. They are also used for storage of goods on site for Rotary
projects.
Africa Container Sales can convert one of its six or 12 metre
containers to meet any specific requirement stipulated by Rotary
clubs. Rotary clubs which receive imported containers of donated
goods for their projects, have successfully enlistedAfrica Container
Sales to convert the containers to meet other project requirements.
Dennis thoroughly enjoys his working relationships with the
various Rotary clubs. “Being a Rotarian is gratifying in itself, but
it is even more gratifying to assist others in need from within your
own vocation,” he says.
Fast facts
• Africa Container Sales was established in January 1999.
• Africa Container Sales supplies used and new shipping
containers throughout southern Africa.
• Africa Container Sales also supplies Park Home type
offices and accommodation.
• Africa Container Sales delivers to site by crane truck.
• Africa Container Sales supplies to sites anywhere in
South Africa.
• Cross border requirements are supplied ex-depot in SA.
Advertorial
The cheerful interior of
a container which was
converted to house a soup
kitchen.
Call PP Dennis Wesley on 083 733 6208
or email dennisw@acsales.co.za
www.acsales.co.za
a great idea!

By Arnold Grahl, Rotary News
For thousands of years, the
Batwa Pygmies lived among the
silverback mountain gorillas in
the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
of southwest Uganda. But in
1992, the forest was declared a
World Heritage Site to protect
the endangered silverback and
the Batwa lost their home.
Forced to transition from
hunter-gatherers to farmers, they
did not adapt well and their very
survival was threatened.
Over the years, Rotarians
in the United States, Uganda
(D9211) and other parts of the
world helped with efforts to aid the
Batwa. Most recently, those efforts
have focused on the creation of
a nursing school to serve the
entire southwestern part of
the country.
Dr Scott Kellermann, a
physician and Rotarian
from California, USA,
discovered the plight of
the Batwa in 2000, when
he and his wife, Carol,
travelled to the area as
medical missionaries to
assess the indigenous
people’s needs. He describes
the situation they found. “Abject
poverty. No access to health care,
no access to education, no clean
water, no sanitation and land and
food insecurity.”
The Kellermanns’ survey found
that 38 percent of the Batwa died
before the age of five - twice the
rate for Uganda as a whole - and
that their average life expectancy
was 28 years.
Building a hospital
Shortly after his first visit,
Kellermann and his wife sold
their possessions, including
his medical practice, and
moved to Uganda - where
they lived until 2009 - to help
health
care
for the
batwa

the Batwa. Starting with mobile clinics held under
trees and with intravenous drips hanging from
branches, they treated “200, 300, sometimes 500
people a day,” Kellermann recalls. Eventually,
they launched a foundation and built Bwindi
Community Hospital.
Kellermann’s Rotary connections helped to
equip it. Projects supported by a series of Rotary
Foundation grants and backed by Rotarians in
Uganda, the United States and other parts of the
world provided an operating theatre, a dental unit,
generators, solar panels, clean water, improved
sanitation and taught the Batwa how to raise
small livestock to improve
their nutrition.
Now, the infant mortality
rate is down to six percent
and the number of women
dying in childbirth has
declined 60 percent.
“Rotary has been
incredible,” says Kellermann.
“It doesn’t just throw money
at a problem. It goes through a local Rotary club
so Rotarians on the ground make sure the projects
are successful. What Rotary did was look at the
broader picture and say, ‘hey, a hospital is great.
But you need to prevent these diseases. You
need to provide water and sanitation. You need to
teach these women how to feed their kids’.”
A project aimed at reducing the incidence
of malaria distributed thousands of bed nets to
families, via tribal healers. “In 2006, we were
losing one to two kids every week to malaria,”
Kellermann says. “After Rotary helped us
distribute 25 000 bed nets, we went nine months
without a kid dying from malaria. Rates have
dropped over 90 percent.”
Creating a nursing school
A few years ago, two entrepreneurs, James
Jameson and Steve Wolf, met Kellermann while
they were in the area to track gorilla. After they
learned of the need for a nursing school, they
contributed more than $650 000 to plan, design
and build it. The Uganda Nursing School Bwindi
opened in November 2013. The pair also paid to
send Jane Anyango, a registered nurse at the
Bwindi hospital, to Queen Margaret University
in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she earned a
master’s degree in nursing that enabled her to
take over as the school’s principal teaching tutor.
They also provided iPads, loaded with a year’s
worth of textbooks, for every nursing student at
the new school.
Last year, Jerry Hall, a past Rotary International
vice president, led a Vocational Training Team
of nursing educators who spent two weeks
developingtheschool’scurriculum,instructionand
administration. Hall had met Kellermann during a
previous project, when Hall
was a Rotary director, and
he had become a strategic
planning consultant for the
hospital.
Hall’s club, the Rotary
Club of Reno (D5190, USA)
along with members of the
Rotary Club of Kihihi (D9211)
and 18 other clubs, raised
$67 000 for a Global Grant of $247 000. The
grant provided furnishings, classroom supplies
and laboratory equipment for the school.
Hall says that after the Vocational Training
Team returned home, a team member affiliated
with the University of San Francisco arranged for
Anyango to have access to the university’s trove
of digital information. Another team member
arranged to have flash drives loaded with nursing
curricula sent to the school.
“The technology they have at the school is the
first of its kind in Uganda,” says Hall. “The chair
of the Uganda Nursing Council attended a grand
opening celebration during our stay.
“The potential is tremendous,” adds Hall.
“Once we get trained nurses out to the villages
and regional areas, we’ll have people with
midwifery skills who can deliver children safely
and provide pre and post natal care. None of that
is available today.”
Learn more about the Kellermann Foundation at
www.kellermannfoundation.org.
“We went nine
months without
a kid dying from
malaria.”
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

Six years ago, Bonisa Ntsile set out to fulfil
her dream of running an educare centre in
Lower Crossroads in Philippi. Her dream was
to create a safe environment for youngsters
while their parents were at work and to give
them a good start on the road to education.
“We started in a shack next to my house with 14
children,” recalls Ntsile. “By the end of that year,
we had grown to 40, so it was time to move to
new premises. Today the Bonisa Educare Centre
has two classrooms, a nursery and a kitchen - we
cater for over 80 children.”
“In an area where unemployment is high,
school fees don’t cover all the running costs of
the centre. We identified a need to make Bonisa’s
daily teaching a bit easier, by donating tables and
chairs for the little ones to sit at while learning
their lessons,” says Bill Meyer from the Rotary
Club of Newlands (D9350). “In this way, the
much-needed funding can preferably be spent
on running costs, educators’ salaries and food,”
adds Meyer.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity
of the Rotary Club of Newlands, not only for the
donation but for the fact that people do care about
this little educare centre in Cape Town. This is
a place where giving a little means a lot,” adds
Ntsile.
Five of the centre’s helpers attend college for a
day a week and are studying for their qualification
in early childhood development. The centre is in
the process of becoming a registered educare
centre, but until such time, every Rand needs to
be stretched as far as possible.
A thrilled Bonisa Ntsile (right) receives the donation of tables, chairs and a fridge for her centre
from Bill Meyer (left) of the Rotary Club of Newlands.
making it easier

“It’s wonderful to be back in the fairest Cape
for the COSA meeting,” said Past RI President
Ray Klinginsmith when he addressed the
annual meeting of the Governors’ Council of
SouthernAfrica,“andIamdelightedthatCOSA
has agreed to be the sponsor organisation
for the Presidential Conference on Economic
Development for all of Africa, which will be
held in Cape Town on 27 February 2016!”
The Presidential Conference in Cape Town
next year was at the forefront of discussions, as
was a Rotary International Convention in South
Africa.
The Governors’ Council of Southern Africa
(COSA), which represents Rotary leadership,
past, present and future from the four Rotary
districts and ten countries that comprise Southern
Africa, meets annually. The venue rotates. This
year the meeting took place from 27 to 29 March
2015 and was hosted by D9350 at the imposing
Kelvin Grove Club in Newlands. Six countries
were represented by some 55 delegates.
The convener of the meeting was PDG Peter
Hugo who stepped down after six years on the
executive committee.
An invitation to attend was extended to RI
Director Safak Alpay and his wife, Deniz, who
accepted. As there are 72 countries in Zone
20, making it the biggest zone in the world,
their attendance was an honour and a privilege.
The couple provided unobtrusive guidance and
profound Rotary wisdom.
The programme was full and focused, with
emphasis on strengthening Rotary in Southern
Africa. It was also a weekend of ‘add on’ meeting
opportunities - with a Coordinators’ Meeting on
Friday, a Rotary Presidential Conference and
Rotary Leadership Institute meetings held over
by PDG June Webber
Reportback
RI Director Safak Alpay, Borg Stannius, Deniz Alpay, PDG June Webber, (front) PDG Vyv and Pat
Deacon and Muriel and PDG Peter Hugo enjoy the social evening at the Pavilion at Kelvin Grove.
shining a light on rotary

the weekend. What prevailed throughout was a spirit of
collaboration, leadership and team work to find solutions
to challenges, as well as the sharing of successes.
The Southern African governors’ annual meeting
resolved to help convene and host the RI President’s
Conference on Economic and Community Development
in Cape Town on 27 February 2016.
Highlights included presentations by Ashley Uys, on
inexpensive diagnostic kits for malaria, HIV and other
diseases which cause numerous deaths in Africa, and
by Dr David Harrison who spoke about early childhood
development and emphasised the importance of stable,
loving relationships on childhood development.
PDG Rob Gilligan (D9370) was elected COSA Chair
for 2015/17. He succeeded PDG Chris Molam (D9210)
who replaced PDG Peter Hugo (D9350) as COSA
Convenor and PDG Kobla Quashie (D9400) was elected
secretary for the next two years.
“All the governors enjoyed the very successful COSA
meetings, expertly convened by PDG Peter Hugo and
his D9350 committee, underlining the suitability of Cape
Town as an ideal RI Convention venue,” says Chris
Molam.
PDG Beth Thomas of D9400 summed it up well.
“It was great to get together again at COSA and to be
able to network with classmates and colleagues from
Southern Africa. Very often we imagine that challenges
exist only in our corner of the world. To be able to discuss
and listen to our current and future leaders regarding
possible solutions, always sends us home with more
spirit and enthusiasm.”
The Southern Africa Rotary leadership team which attended the 2015 COSA. Below: Past RI
President and Foundation Trustee Chair-elect Ray Klinginsmith addresses the COSA meeting.
Director Safak Alpay and Deniz, PDG Stella Donga and DGN Tom McGhee.

My wife, Deniz, and I had the pleasure and
honour to be invited to attend COSA during
last week of March in Cape Town.
Besides enjoying the excellent hospitality
and fellowship of all members of COSA, I had
a great opportunity to talk to senior leaders
of Southern Africa on many Rotary subjects.
I enjoyed hearing of their experience in Rotary
and their vision about Rotary in Africa. I want to
congratulate the convener and chair for the well
planned programme and especially for the topics
and success stories. Each and every presentation
made by past, present and future senior leaders
was of a very high quality and I found them very
instructive. I will be more than glad to share all
the notes that I have taken from the meeting with
other Rotarians in our great Zone 20. I am sure
that they will benefit from them.
There is no doubt that COSAis a very important
meeting for the DGEs and DGNs. It provides them
with different and important Rotary knowledge
before they start their term, make plans and set
goals. On the other hand, I will recommend to
my successors that as directors of Zone 20 they
should participate in COSA meetings whenever
possible. The impressions and information that
they can obtain from this important meeting will
help them to convey this to the RI Board when
needed.
The motivation and excitement that I observed
among the senior leaders clearly shows that we
will have a great Presidential Conference in Cape
Town next year. It will certainly help us to reach
the ultimate goal of having an RI Convention in
Africa and generate support for the ‘Africa one
ZONE’ concept in the near future.
I would like to extend my special thanks to
Convener PDG Peter Hugo, our dear friend and
aide PDG June Webber and Borg Stannius, as
well as DG Andrew Jaeger and his family for the
wonderful hospitably and fellowship during our
stay in Cape Town.
a message for rotarians
Christine Jaeger, Deniz Alpay, RI Director Safak Alpay and DG Andrew Jaeger enjoy a sundowner
on Andrew’s wine farm in Tulbach.

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Youth
For the second time in three years, the Interact
Club of Hugh Boyd Secondary School (D5040,
Canada) took the US$500 grand prize in the
annual Interact video contest, beating 88
entries from 33 countries.
“The secret to the club’s success is not only the
professional quality of the videos but the stories
behind them,” says club member Kyle Gomes,
who was the director, cinematographer and
editor of this year’s three minute entry, ‘Our Best
Day in Interact.’ The video, narrated by several
Interact members, shows the students decorating
Christmas trees at Richmond’s City Hall, ice
skating to raise funds for polio eradication,
collecting canned goods for a local food bank,
participating in a model UN day in San Diego and
rebuilding a pre-school and orphanage in South
Africa in 2013.
The ongoing project in South Africa generally
includes a team of five Interactors, members of
the sponsor Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset
(D5040, Canada), teachers from Hugh Boyd
Secondary and firefighters, all of whom spend
a month providing assistance to the Refilwe
orphanage in Lanseria, Johannesburg.
“We wanted to emphasise how much of an
impact we can make in our community,” Gomes
says. “Our club is involved in so many projects,
it was imperative that we show that in our video.
We want the Rotary world to know that Interactors
are motivated to give back.”
Club president Melissa Chao was part of the
2013 team that travelled to South Africa and calls
it a “life-altering journey.” The group renovated
the pre-school that adjoins the orphanage,
adding linoleum flooring, expanding the kitchen,
fixing the roof and creating a patio and awnings. “I
hope to return to Refilwe to continue the progress
I made two summers ago,” Chao says.
Gomes will be part of the team travelling to
South Africa this July. To help cover the US$3 500
cost for each student, he and the other Interactors
changing the world
through interact
Narrated by several Interactors, the winning video featured activities and projects undertaken by
the club and included the rebuilding of a pre-school and orphanage in Lanseria, Johannesburg.

plan to participate in a pledge drive
called 24 Without, in which they will
fast for 24 hours and refrain from using
cell phones and other digital devices.
“This will give us a glimpse of what
so many children deal with on a daily
basis,” he says.
The Hugh Boyd Interact club,
chartered in 2012, has 160 members
– almost eight times the total of
its sponsor Rotary club. But what
the Richmond Sunset club lacks in
numbers, it makes up for in strength,
thanks in part to the Interactors, says
Magdalen Leung, Interact adviser
and Richmond Sunset club member.
“Their boundless energy motivates our
members. We try to include Interactors
in all our projects because they add so
much enthusiasm,” she says.
“It’s no surprise the club won the
contest again,” Leung says. “They
represent exactly what Rotary wants
from our youth programmes. This will
help attract more members to their
club, which only makes our family
bigger and stronger.”
Engaging in youth programmes is
vital to Rotary’s future, Leung says,
noting that involving Interactors and
Rotaractors in service opportunities
“will help these students to be better
members of society.”
For Chao, the feeling of appreciation
is mutual. “Words can’t describe how
extremely grateful we all are to our
sponsor club and Rotary for their
leadership, mentorship and friendship,”
she says.
Her club plans to use its US$500
contest prize as seed money for an
upcoming clothing drive for teens at
Covenant House Vancouver, a shelter
for homeless youth.
The three other finalists and
their videos were: Interact Club of
Marghita, Romania, ‘Interact Helps
the Poor Children’, Interact Club of
Geethaanjali, India, ‘Best Day Ever’,
and Interact Club of CSI-San Salvador
Noroeste, El Salvador, ‘Serving for
Better Days.’
Watch the video at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJacyKCmsNw
Scenes from the video, Our Best Day in Interact, made by
the Interact Club of Hugh Boyd Secondary School which
won the US$500 grand prize in the 2014 Interact video
contest.

“The children enjoyed it tremendously and
the venue was magnificent,” says Liza Day a
teacher at the Otjiwarongo Secondary School,
Namibia. Day accompanied youngsters who
are members of the school’s Interact club to
the annual Interact Conference which was
held in Windhoek. The 2015 meeting was the
fifth Interact Annual Conference organised
and hosted by the Rotary Club of Windhoek
(D9350).
More than 90 youngsters from Interact clubs
in Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and
Windhoek attended the event which was held at
the Habitat Centre.
As a strategy to introduce primary school
students to the Interact concept, leaders from the
Grade 7 class at Marti Ahtisaari Primary School
were invited to participate. Their enthusiasm
indicated that they are going to join, or start, an
Interact club when they begin high school next
year.
The programme at Saturday’s event included
presentations by dynamic Namibians, Ali Ipinge,
Theo Ickua, Claudine Mouton and Lizette Feris.
All four hold key leadership positions in the public
or private sectors. Petra Dillmann, of Autism
Namibia, discussed her organisation while
Haaveshe Nekongo-Nielsen spoke about career
planning.
There were also fun activities on the
programme. These incorporated an icebreaker
by MaryBeth Gallagher which encouraged the
youngsters from different schools and towns to
mingle.
The youngsters thoroughly enjoyed Martina
Schwardmann’s dancing lesson. This was
followed by a competition in which they all
participated. Martina’s magic worked and it was
amazing to see how it helped the youngsters gain
confidence over such a short period of time.
There are seven Rotary clubs in Namibia, three
in Windhoek and the other four in Lüderitz, Walvis
Bay, Swakopmund and Otjiwarongo. These clubs
have sponsored eight Interact clubs.
Lizette Feris discusses road safety awareness with the Interactors.
captivating conference
Share your youth news
Send stories, of no more than 650 words, and photographs,
at least 1mg in size, to rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Captions for group photographs with six people or less, must
include the first and last names of everyone in the picture.

The fiercely contested Rotary/Daily News Team Talk competition commenced with the preliminary
rounds in March. This exciting event took place at the Meadowlands Technical High School which
is led by Carmen Rajdew, the school’s acting principal and the Youth Services Director of the
Rotary Club of Chatsworth (D9370). This year was a milestone for the Chatsworth club which
entered six secondary schools, Meadowlands Technical High School, Montarena Secondary, Arena
Park Secondary, Newhaven Secondary, Crossmoor Secondary and Kharwastan Secondary, into
the event. The six schools battled it out and two advanced to the semi final rounds.
The Rotary Club of Colesberg (D9370) sent three
learners to the D9370 RYLA camp which was held
at Life Adventures Outdoor Education and Training
Centre, on the Vaal Eden, Parys. Three learners, James
Rous, Alec Ramsay and Guina Rodrigues enjoyed a
weekend of leadership training and personal growth and
development. Enjoying the camp are James Rous, Alec
Ramsay, Rozanne McDonald, Guina Rodrigues and Gert
Stolz (back).
Nicolo Rech returned from Chile after
spending a year there as a Rotary
Youth Exchange student. Nicolo
shared his exchange experience
with the Rotary Club of Tzaneen
(D9400) and exchanged a banner with
President Neels van der Merwe.
Rotarians John Small and
Gary Galanos (back) with
the members of the Interact
Club of Beaconhurst, Vuyo
Cungu, Astara Juretic,
Rosetta Sihlangu and Yolisa
Singhapi, whom the Rotary
Club of Beacon Bay (D9370)
sent to attend a RYLA
camp that was held near
Grahamstown.

Competitiveness crackled through the air at Rheenendal Village Cricket Field when Epilepsy SA
(Southern Cape) won the toss and decided to bat first in its annual cricket match against the
Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350). When the Epilepsy SA players wrested the trophy away from them
last year. The Rotarians began the match determined to reverse last year’s result. However, it was
not to be as the Epilepsy SA players won by 41 runs. The encounter was followed by a braai of
sirloin steaks, expertly grilled by Rotarian Mike Mills, and a variety of salads prepared by the Anns.
Over the years, the Rotary Club of
Beacon Bay (D9370) has supported
Child Welfare: East London. Soraya
Leeuw, the director of Child Welfare,
and her team work tirelessly to meet
the needs of neglected, abandoned,
orphaned and exploited children in
the area. With Soraya is Rotarian
Annetia Hechroodt.
Lillian Hopkins (centre) is a sprightly and very active
97-year-old member of the Rotary Club of Beacon Bay
(D9370), who was most recently sighted manning the
Ironman registration table with fellow Rotarians Margi
Coutts and Sibongile Booi.
Roundup

The Rotary Club of Vereeniging (D9400) entered three teams in the CANSA Vaal Triangle Relay for
Life event and donated R15 000 to CANSA. This is the club’s fourth consecutive year of supporting
the great fundraiser.
District Governor Ken Chibesakunda (right) visited the
Rotary Club of Harare City (D9210) to meet its members
and visit the various projects underway in Harare. With
DG Ken is President Patrick Chapuredima.
The Rotary Club of Harare City
(D9210) celebrated 110 years of
Rotary in style and its members
enjoyed a beautiful cake made to
commemorate the special day.

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At the Marrakesh Rotary Institute in Morocco, PDG Natty Moodley (left), Regional Rotary
Coordinator Zone 20A South, and Gona Naidoo (second from right), a past assistant governor and
member of the Rotary Club Durban Clairwood Park (D9370), met RI President Gary Huang (centre)
and the members of the institute’s organising committee.

The Rotary Club of Beacon Bay (D9370) welcomed home two of its members, Alan Shaw and John
Small, who participated in the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Beacon Bay Rotarian Rob Thorpe (centre)
was previously a member of the Rotary Club of Claremont (D9350) and was part of the Rotary team
which set up the first Cape Argus Cycle Ride, now called the Cape Town Cycle Tour, in 1982.
The Rotary Club of Omole Golden
(D9110, Nigeria) provided deworming
medication to more than 500 children
from Oba Ogundimu Primary School.
This project was undertaken as part
of the club’s mission to to prevent
disease and malnutrition within its
community. Before the exercise
began, Rotarian Dr Omowunmi
Bakare spoke to the children about
the importance of deworming and
proper hygiene.

The learners of Junagarth Road Primary School received TOMS Shoes from the Rotary Club of
Durban Clairwood Park (D9370).
As a result of Ann President Ingrid Edelson
moving to Somerset West in the Cape and
also going on the Turkish Rotary Friendship
Exchange in April, the Rotary Anns of Kloof
(D9370) inducted its new president, Andrena
Foster, and presented its Ann of the year
award at its March meeting. Three new Anns ,
Andrea Ras, Kobie Renzow and Margie Mathew,
received certificates for their dedication to
Rotary while Jehanne Blades received a
certificate for her outstanding and ongoing
work. The Edelson Floating Trophy for the Ann
of the Year went to Wendy Scorgie (left). Ingrid
Edelson (right) was given a going away gift of a
string of pearls and matching earrings.
There was a full and enthusiastic house for a
bingo evening organised by the Rotary Club of
Beacon Bay (D9370). The club invited members
from neighbouring clubs to participate.
President Brian van der Merwe (Bonza Bay)
and Lesley Clayton (Gonubie) were presented
with prizes by Beacon Bay President Angela
Woodhal (centre).

The Rotary Club of George (D9350) has been associated with the University of Cape Town School
of Dance for six years. PDG Rodney Mazinter and his Ann, Mavis, a lecturer and instructor at
the school, facilitated the association with the George club. The school’s third tour to George
took place in April and 16 young dancers were hosted by Rotarians. Under the auspices of the
George club, they presented workshops and demonstrations at schools in the area and gave two
outstanding performances at the George Arts Theatre to enthusiastic audiences. “We were all
entertained by a high standard of dancing and our minds were transported and uplifted by the
beauty of the dances and music,” said PP Charles Rowe. Above: PDG Rodney Mazinter, Mavis
Mazinter (lecturer at UCT School of Dance), Gerard Samuel (Director of the UCT School of Dance),
PP Charles Rowe, (front) dancers Roxanne Paulse, Thara Alcock and Kimberleigh Hurndall.
The Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350) received its first Global Grant worth R430 600 for the Knysna
Sport School (KSS) within the focus area of Peace and Conflict Prevention. It arose from a close
and constructive collaboration with the Rotary Club of Nieuwkoop (D1570, Netherlands). Over the
years, Rotarians from the Nieuwkoop and Knysna clubs have taken a hands-on interest in KSS and
contributed to its growth and development. Today, KSS coaches about 1 000 children – most are
from disadvantaged communities – in eight different types of sport ranging from soccer to golf.
Recently, President Marjo Hoogenbosch and a group of Rotarians from Nieuwkoop visited KSS
and an official presentation of the grant was held. At the handover are President John Satchel, Jan
van Wageningen, Willem Pompies, President Marjo Hoogenbosch, Paulus Sigonyela, Iain Coetzee
and Hans Tollenaar.

Share your club news
Send stories, of no more than 650 words, and photographs,
at least 1mg in size, to rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Captions for group photographs with six people or less, must
include the first and last names of everyone in the picture.
The Rotary Club of Scottburgh (D9370) attended the presentation of literacy certificates to the
learners of the Amandawe Operation Upgrade facility.
The Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark (D9400) celebrated Rotary International’s 110th birthday. A
special birthday cake, decorated with the theme Light up Rotary, was baked for the occasion.

hould act heroically, or
“pro-socially,” to help
need.
there is a fine line
behaving altruistically
ng heroically, and Svo-
ends much of the book
ng new research into
why we help others and
whether humans have evolved
an instinct for what’s called
“group selection” – meaning
that we help others because
group survival is better for all of
us. As evolutionary biologist
Charles Goodnight explains:
“You put one person in the mid-
dle of the jungle and they’re din-
ner. Twenty people, you have a
village. We can’t survive on our
own, but we can collectively.”
Svoboda reports on neuro-
science research that has found
that donating to a worthy cause
activates the same brain regions
as our craving for food and sex,
suggesting a similarly deep
motivation. She also explores
how volunteering can boost
health and life satisfaction.
The book closes with a prac-
tical look at how to cultivate
a more altruistic mindset.
Altruistic people tend to see
themselves as capable of getting
things done, and consider
themselves part of a larger
human family. They also, she
says, see life through a redemp-
tive lens, focusing on the good
that comes out of the bad.
These things make the diﬀer-
ence.“Heroes,”Svoboda writes,
“are mostly regular people who
harness their desire to care for
others and make an extraordi-
nary commitment to reach out
to them.” – FRANK BURES
s, if just for one day
UP FRONT
d
hould act heroically, or
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 | T H E R O T A R I A N 1 9
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
BE A VIBRANT CLUB
Be a Vibrant Club guide includes:
• A club success story from your region
• Ideas for your club to try
• Resources for your club on My Rotary
Get your free copy at
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Much to the delight of Siyabonga
and his mother, Nhlanhla Mahlangu,
the Rotary Club of Benoni Van Ryn
(D9400) gave him a new wheelchair.
The satellite club of the Rotary Club of Empangeni
(D9370), which is based in Mtunzini, gave gifts to the
children of Iselesele Crèche. For many of these children
it was the first time they had ever received a gift or a new
toy. With some of the children is the club’s chair, Penny
Bunting.

Engage with
other members:
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Groups
Enhance service
projects:
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Groups
Collaborate on
service projects:
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Make
new friends:
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Fellowships
Build peace
and strengthen
relationships:
Intercountry
Committees
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your service
accomplishments:
Rotary Showcase
Share
international
hospitality:
Rotary Friendship
Exchange
Share your
professional
talents:
Vocational
Training TeamMeet prospective
partners:
Project Fairs
Celebrate club
partnerships:
Twin Clubs
EXCHANGE IDEAS: www.rotary.org/myrotary
GET
CONNECTED!
Make your Rotary experience
truly international with these
networking opportunities.
CONNECT
ONLINE
CONNECT
IN PERSON
CONNECT WITH
A GROUP

celebrate
The Rotary Club of Tygerberg (D9350) was chartered on 23 February 2004 and celebrated its
11th anniversary at a gala event at the Hollow Tree Restaurant. It was a double celebration as the
occasion also marked Rotary International’s 110th birthday. At the gala event are President Chris
Lesch, Interactors Althan Sampson and Austin Januarie and District Governor Cecil Rose.
The Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg
(D9370) recently celebrated its 90th charter
anniversary. Established in 1925 by the Rotary
Club of Durban, it’s the second oldest club in
KwaZulu-Natal and one of the oldest South
African clubs.
The anniversary dinner was held at the
Maritzburg Golf Club and was attended by many
Rotary dignitaries, including presidents from a
number of Rotary clubs.
The evening’s programme included a brief
presentation on the history of the club by Past
President Peter Webster, who has been a member
of the club for 45 years. This was followed by a
toast to the club by Past President Pat Cornell,
the longest serving member of the club, with 50
years’ service.
The evening’s guest speaker was Dr Albert van
Jaarsveld, the vice-chancellor of the University
of KwaZulu-Natal. He outlined the value of the
university and expressed the need for people to
support efforts to grow the institution.
At the Rotary Club of Pietermaritzburg’s (D9370) 90th anniversary dinner are President Mike Hiron
(Durban), President Liz Dewes ( Pietermaritzburg), President Geoff Calmeyer (Pietermaritzburg
Azalea), President Anita Harms (Hilton & Howick), Dr Albert van Jaarsveld (UKZN) and Past President
Patric Coope. (Pietermaritzburg). Photo: Richard Boote.
A very happy 90th

Welcomed and honoured
recognised
WHAT WILL YOU
WATCH TODAY?
www.youtube.com/rotaryinternationalwww.youtube.com/rotaryinternationalwww.youtube.com/rotaryinternational
watch. learn. connect.
Lothar Backes is a new
member of the Rotary
Club of Swakopmund
(D9350).
President of the Rotary Club of Empangeni Christo van Heerden andArea Co-ordinator
Richard Brooks and Chair Penny Bunting, Neil Perry, Peggy Sclanders, Gideon van der
Merwe, Kim Perry, Sarina van Heerden, Laurie van der Merwe and Errol Sclanders who
are the members of the new satellite club of the Rotary Club of Empangeni (D9370),
based in Mtunzini.
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

Has your club welcomed or honoured someone?
Send us their picture and name.
Contact Sharon at rotaryafrica@mweb.co.za
Robin Smith was made
an honorary member of
the Rotary Club of Durban
Berea (D9370).
Tony Leon was recognised
as a Paul Harris Fellow by
the Rotary Club of Durban
(D9370).
Past President Marcel Hoogebeen and Sabine Ehrmann
are new members of the Rotary Club of Tygerberg
(D9350).
Bertie Nel was recognised
as a Paul Harris Fellow
by the Rotary Club of
Tygerberg (D9350).
Henry and Sue Fairweather are new members of the
Rotary Club of Knysna (D9350).
Daria Gorbaszewicz was
recognised as a Paul
Harris Fellow by the Rotary
Club of Haenertsburg
(D9400).
Welcomed and honoured
Garnet de la Hunt was
posthumously recognised
as a Paul Harris Fellow
by the Rotary Club of
Tygerberg (D9350). His
widow, Virginia, accepted
the fellowship his behalf.
Rodney Harman is a new
member of the Rotary
Club of Haenertsburg
(D9400).

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