Rotary marks half a century of service
Several people were honoured for their work in the community.
THE Rotary Club of Amanzimtoti celebrated its 50th anniversary at a gala dinner at Amanzimtoti Country Club on Friday, 19 June.
One of Rotary International’s most senior Rotarians in Southern Africa, past district governor Natty Moodley was the guest of honour.
Special awards were bestowed on Gavin Gradwell, founder of Mother of Peace and Neil McDonald, CEO of Khanya Hospice.
Outgoing president, Chris Skinner announced the club would be making a donation of R50,000 towards a project on early childhood development. This would be overseen by general manager of Mother of Peace, Iris Canham with Dr Erna de Lange, a retired headmistress who is formerly of Amanzimtoti.
The club also honoured past president, Aneska DuPont with a top Rotary International award, a sapphire pin to complement her Paul Harris award.
“There is not one person in this club who has worked so tirelessly as Aneska to make a meaningful contribution to the communities we serve in Toti. Whether it is raising funds for Mother of Peace or Hospice, or arranging with East Cost Radio for the distribution of toys at Christmas and food parcels to poor communities in our area, Aneska is at the forefront, making contact with the organisers and arranging for distribution. For me she epitomises Rotary’s ideal of ‘service above self’, a person totally committed to serving the community and making a real difference to people’s lives,” said Chris.
Jay Ramsunder was inducted as the new president of the club for the new Rotary year.
He has served Rotary with distinction for 28 years, twice as club president of Isipingo Prospecton in 1996 and 2006. He has hosted 12 exchange students as well as a GSE team and friendship exchange from India.
“We invite him to give new direction and impetus to the founding club Amanzimtoti in the decade ahead. May you have great success building on the club’s legacy and continue with all the projects and programmes the club has been involved in.”
President Ramsunder in turn inducted Iris Canham as a new Rotarian to the club.
Chris said he believed the club could look back with some pride on its 50 years of service.
“We have touched the lives of many people over the years by providing a whole range of services from food gardens, health facilities, technical workshops and literacy training. But to continue with our work, we need volunteers to step forward and share their own skills and experience with the communities we serve in Amanzimtoti.”
A special history of the club has been commissioned and anyone who has information to share with the club’s historian Phil Thornton, is welcome to contact him on 079-342-9636.
