RandWest SPCA bids emotional goodbye to beloved leader
A touching and emotional moment brought many to tears during the RandWest SPCA’s AGM when manager René van Straten read a heartfelt farewell letter dedicated to outgoing chairperson, Brenda Eloff.
During this year’s AGM meeting, a heartfelt moment unfolded when the RandWest SPCA staff bid farewell to beloved chairperson Brenda Eloff.
According to Eloff, she is bidding a bittersweet goodbye to the community to focus on her health.
Manager René van Straten wrote a sincere letter, which she read with tears during the meeting.
“This isn’t a goodbye speech because I know you’ll always be just a phone call away, still cheering us on in the background. This is a thank you. Thank you for saving so many lives by simply showing up. I will never forget the first time I met you. We were on the brink of closure, yet in that very first meeting, you stood up, you took action, and you never stopped since,” René read.
She continued, “Because of you, we can proudly call ourselves the RandWest SPCA today. It’s been an uphill battle, no doubt, but there is no way any of this would have been possible without you. You were just a chairperson, but you became a mentor, an inspiration, a source of motivation and a mother figure for so many. You saved countless lives, not just the animals we have been able to rescue but also the lives of the staff.
“The lives you have touched and changed. If it weren’t for you, both the Randfontein and Westonaria branches would have disappeared a long time ago. We would never have reached this point where you picked up the RandWest SPCA. So, thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made, the long hours and the sleepless nights.
“Many won’t truly understand the depth of your dedication. The work you have put in, unpaid and often with minimal support, but you always showed up no matter what. For that, we are grateful. Though it isn’t easy, I fully support your decision to take this break. No one deserves it more than you. You fought an incredible fight, and you can now step back knowing you gave it your all. We can never show you enough appreciation for all you have done. You have earned the rest. So, please, take this time to rest and put yourself first again. We love you, we’ll miss you. But this isn’t farewell and a reminder that you fought a good fight,” René concluded.
