More than four decades of community service were celebrated as the Ballito Lions Club welcomed new leadership at its induction ceremony last Friday.

Past district governor Kim van Wyk told members and guests at the dinner at Umhlali Country Club that the club has a proud history of service to the North Coast community. Its members have fed, clothed and helped those in need through hundreds of worthy causes.

Outgoing club president Selvan Govender outlined the many charitable and fundraising projects club members had worked on over the past year.

“Leadership is not a one-person effort. It takes a team and the support of our partners to be successful in our service of others.”

Guest speaker Rose Stephenson, co-founder of The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund, told the gathering that more than R9-million had been raised and distributed to help feed and educate orphans and other vulnerable children in the area.

“More than 3 000 children have benefitted from the fund, with money and gifts in kind donated by the community. Of note are the children who have graduated from technical college and university and are now embarking on meaningful career,” she said.

Lion Malcolm Barlow was inducted as club president for his seventh term and committed the club to continued service to the community.

The club welcomed new members Sboniso Dlamini and Jennifer Lamprecht, its first female member.