2025 has been a landmark year for the Rotary Club Fourways, marked by membership growth, meaningful community engagement, and initiatives that leave a lasting impact. According to Carla Guedes, the club’s PR representative, the highlight has been expanding their team.

“We began the year with 13 members and are concluding the year with 27 registered members. This is an incredible testament to the members for growing our impact in the community. Worldwide, Rotary has set a goal to increase membership and sustain the organisation’s impact. Our club is certainly striving to meet that goal and go beyond.”

Read more: Fourways Rotary Club’s annual toy drive seeks donations for Christmas 

Rotary Fourways focused on three key communities in 2025. The first was Simunye Global Organisation in Cosmo City, which works with young girls under the leadership of Lebo Mdlalana.

The club ran workshops on mental strength, consent, and personal safety during International Day of the Girl Child on October 11. The girls also learned how to plant and care for a spekboom, and received packs of necessities alongside a brunch treat.

“Simunye provides a haven for these young girls during the week, with after-school homework help and care. Visiting them and running these programs has been truly rewarding,” said Guedes.

At Witkoppen Primary School, the club replaced doors for seven classrooms that had previously only security gates, ensuring learners could return to warmer, safer classrooms after the holidays.

The club also organised the school’s first-ever Women’s Day event, treating female staff to an inspirational talk, tea, and luxury gift packs.

Rotary Fourways also contributed to public health through its End Polio Now! initiative.

On November 11, the club sponsored 1 000 doses of the polio vaccine at Witkoppen Clinic, working alongside families and health professionals to highlight the importance of vaccinations.

“Polio is not yet eradicated, but through vaccinating one child at a time, we continue to chip away at the threat.”

Despite these successes, the club faced challenges in engaging directly with the community. “Our ongoing focus and challenge is how to connect with and engage the community we serve. We’re working hard to raise awareness of our work so that we can become more visible and better tailor our initiatives.”

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Partnerships with schools through InterAct clubs are helping to bridge this gap, providing opportunities for learners and families to get involved. The Art@theManor fundraising event in September was highlighted as the club’s most meaningful project of the year.

The event featured nine professional artists and learners from five primary and four high schools, providing a platform to showcase talents while raising funds for community projects.

“Local sponsors helped make the event possible with contributions and prizes for raffles, which fund our other initiatives throughout the year.”

Rotary Fourways is entering 2026 with ambitious goals. Two InterAct clubs will launch at Fourways High School and The American International School of Johannesburg, helping develop the next generation of community-minded leaders.

The club is also expanding its partnership with Ferndale on Republic Mall, building on two years of successful Christmas gift-wrapping stands. Plans include year-round drives for blankets, non-perishable food, and clothing to support community groups.

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