Dorpse July raises not only funds but spirits too

The Rotary Club of Krugersdorp and Friends of Emergency Services (FES) took hands to raise funds by racing fictitious donkeys at their annual Dorpse July.

• Also read: Rotary Anns gather for annual conference

One of the directors at FES, Angie van den Berg, said this was their second Dorpse July, which is a beloved Donkey Derby event and was once again a wonderful success.

“This year it was held in support of FES, where the event brought together around 120 attendees for an evening of fun, laughter, and giving back to the community,” she said.

Angie added that the fundraiser aided vital emergency services needs in the area. Funds will be shared between Rotary and FES to directly support their ongoing community work.

“The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful, with attendees enjoying every moment of the derby.

One of the highlights of the evening came when guests spontaneously stepped forward to make additional donations; a heartwarming gesture that reminded us all of the power of community and the importance of the cause,” she explained.

The Krugersdorp News attended the evening, where stick horses were used as the racing donkeys. Participants could then bid on the donkey to cross the finish line. The winning bidder could then get on one of the multi-coloured donkeys they won, and two pairs of dice were thrown. One dice determined the colour of which donkey moved forward, and another dice determined how far he would move. There were prizes for the winners of the race, as well as for people who bet on the winning horse. The evening concluded with an auction, with all proceeds to benefit organisations.

“The Dorpse July is now a staple annual event, and we’re already looking forward to an even bigger and better derby in 2026! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and contributed – your support makes all the difference,” Angie concluded.