Rotary Joburg North works hard for the children in and around Westdene

From their base at Emzini Restaurant, over 100 children, many from impoverished areas, were treated to a two-day holiday camp that was packed with fun, educational and hands-on activities.

May 3, 2024

Emily Wellman Bain 2 minutes read

Local children carefully and skillfully made their cookie decorating dreams come true.

Rotary Johannesburg North Central is the second oldest club in the city and has been running for more than 60 years.

They have made Emzini, a restaurant overlooking the Westdene Dam their base camp and are innovating creative opportunities for its members, Rotarians, to serve the community.

Stories are read to the attentive children during one session in the hall.

Debbie Cockrell from the Slovo Centre of Excellence and proud Rotarian says partnering with local organisations has been crucial to the group’s success.

“We welcome corporate partners, local businesses and individuals with a desire to make a difference in the various pillars that represent being a Rotarian. These include education, environment, building peace and community economic development to name a few.”

The children enjoyed decorating cookies as part of the holiday club activities.

“A bittersweet event was held recently to celebrate the life of a recently passed Rotarian, Joachim Killawet. He was a founding member of our branch and served within the club for six decades. He was passionate about youth development, and service and represented several initiatives in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program which runs globally.”

The group recently held a two-day holiday club at the Bosmont Recreation Centre for children in the community and surrounding areas. The Slovo Centre of Excellence and Toy Library partnered with the city and various local partner organisations in its network of working with children through play-based activities and mobile play sessions.

The children were taught about healthy environments.

Stretching Easter fun beyond the long weekend, 100 children participated in fun activities to decorate cookies which not only looked delicious but were too when devoured.

Read more: Northcliff Rotary Club is 50

“A special play date session and lunch hosted at Emzini Restaurant at the Westdene Dam was so exciting for the children. We made a memorial banner for the bus tragedy where 42 lives were lost in the dam and educated the children on environmental care such as dams in our neighbourhoods.”

Debbie Cockrell, Slovo Centre of Excellence and Toy Library, Shervone Sinkfortein, Bosmont Library, Phathiswa Mnqinana, Bosmont Library, Megan Stevenson, Future Leaders Academy, Ridhwaanah Akoojee, Bosmont Rec Centre Manager, Boineelo, Dance instructor and Aldah Bodibe, Bosmont Library.

Cockrell is the chairperson for the Toy Library Association South Africa. “Toy Libraries are all about learning through play and ensuring children have access to safe spaces for fun and learning while enjoying activities they do not often have access to. This project presented a fantastic collaboration opportunity for children living in socio-economically challenged communities surrounding Westdene, to explore a day of fun and various play activities in the Westdene park.”

She and other Rotarians wish, “To thank all of our supporters, donors and partners for helping us make this mini-holiday camp the success it was and we look forward to collaborating with you again soon.”