The Rotary Club of Uitenhage South’s gala dinner to mark the end of the Rotary year 2021/2022, and where the outgoing president gives a summary of the year’s activities, awards are being made, and the new president is inducted, was held on Saturday evening at the Uitenhage Bowling Club.
The event was attended by numerous local Rotary dignitaries including past District Governor Gianna Doubell, new Assistant Governor Lynn Futter as well as a past member of the club who is also the new President of Algoa Bay Rotary Club, the retired principal of Riebeek College Girls’ High School, Marilyn Woods.
Outgoing president Clive Hassell highlighted the projects for the year which included support for Huis Minette and the Innes Street retirement home; Tree of Joy Christmas gifts for needy souls of all ages in local communities; substantial donations to both the KZN flood disaster victims and R40 000 to support Ukrainian refugees.
“We’re also funding an early learning practitioner at Caterpillar Crèche in Thomas Gamble for a day a week for the whole of 2022. We have also donated 200 pairs of reading glasses to the ophthalmic department of Provincial Hospital and supporting the Rape Crisis Centre in KwaNobuhle.
“In addition we have sent a donation to the worldwide Rotary Polio Plus campaign which is now very close to eradicating the dreadful disease from the entire world,” said Outgoing president Clive Hassell.
“The value of these effectively means that we donated R9 000 per head of membership during the year which didn’t include the value for our donated time.”
The club has an annually presented prestige award for someone who through their vocation has made a significant impact on the lives of a section of the community. The award is named in honour of the Rotary Club’s founding president, Les Swift.
Recently the Rotary Club of Uitenhage South has had an involvement with and has been supporting the learners at Solomon Mahlangu Senior Secondary School in KwaNobuhle.
“This involvement has enabled us to realize what a major impact on an area with huge challenges the school is making. Our presentation was made to the principal of the school, Mncedi Mtengwana, as a small recognition of his dedication, professionalism, and leadership in the field of education and service to the community over many years. Mncedi has had a profound influence on the broader community in which we serve,” said Hassell.
Mtengwana unfortunately could not attend the event, but Denise Swift, widow of the late Les Swift (founder of the club) handed the award to his wife, Siziwe Mtengwana.
The highest honour that can be bestowed by Rotary is a Paul Harris Fellowship. This is in honour of Rotary’s founder Paul Harris. Having had one bestowed upon him by the District Governor during an on-line ceremony held earlier, with the aid of Past District Governor Gianna Doubell it was Hassel’s time to bestow similarly on a Past President of the club, Leo Doria.
“This was for his continued outstanding service to our club and more importantly, the community in which we serve,” said Hassell.
Hassel introduced and inducted the Club’s new president Alan Reynolds and bestowed upon him the chain of office of Presidency of the Club.
Reynolds introduced his new board of directors, and he said that he intended leading the club forward enthusiastically and really wanted the club to put a particular emphasis on local education and international relationships.
