Woman takes Toti Lions reins for first-time

FOR the first time in the 47-year history of the Lions Club of Amanzimtoti, a woman is now at the helm of the service organisation.

Lion Carol Botha, who is no stranger to the club nor the community, was inducted as the 46th president at a dinner at Lords and Legends on Saturday, 25 July.

Since the inception of the club in 1968, it was regarded as a men’s club, with the women – the wives of the Lions – being given the title of Lions Ladies.

However, this has since changed and women are now inducted as Lions at the club.

“My association with Lions started 25 years ago. I was a Lady Lion for 22 years, but my husband Malcolm has been a Lion for 27 years,” said Carol.

Back then, the role of the Lady Lion was to support the men in all their projects. “Wherever help was needed, the women were there. However, we also had our own projects, we catered for weddings, visited children’s homes and old age homes, hosted lunches for the seniors, provided lifts for the elderly for hospital visits. We also collected clothes, held jumble sales and helped those in need in the community.”

Carol was inducted as a Lion on 24 May, 2012.

“Initially, I didn’t want to be a Lion. I was busy with my own things, but having stepped in as secretary for a few months, I was roped in to becoming a Lion.”

To be inducted as president, one has to gain experience by holding different positions, among them being fundraising, treasurer and projects.

After being nominated as president, Carol accepted and was inducted three weeks ago.

She said the club will continue with a number of projects. These include working with the three retirement facilities in the area, hosting a picnic for Ethelbert’s Children’s Home, continuing with its glasses and cataract programme, manning the water stations for the running club and providing hearing aids for people in need. “We are currently busy with a library project, which we will let the public know about in due course. Planning is also underway for the 2016 Highland Gathering. Through the year, we want to also hold smaller fundraisers.”

One of the bigger projects the club focuses on is the Jona Vaughan Home, which was built by the Toti Lions. “It is one of our signature projects, we go around once a month and carry out general maintenance. We provide funds for Christmas presents for the residents and a party, including entertainment, either a clown or music. They also bring out their own instruments and have a ball. The residents appreciate the gesture and it is a rewarding feeling.”

The club also hosts a diabetes test clinic every last Saturday of the month at Dischem at Galleria, from 9am to 11am. About 100 people get tested on the day.

In its heyday, the club was 33 Lions-strong, plus the ladies, but the numbers have now dwindled down to only nine Lions.

“Throughout the world Lions membership has been dwindling, people are busy with their own lives.”

If anyone is interested in finding out more about Lions, a meeting is held at the Masonic hall in Toti on the last Thursday of every month at 7pm. Anyone is welcome. If you are over 25 and would like to volunteer a few hours of your time a month, go along and sit in at a meeting. Call Malcolm on 082-770-2425 to make arrangements.

“All the work we do is for the less-fortunate in the community.”

Carol has been living in Toti for the last 28 years. Previously, having lived in the area, business interests took her and Malcolm to Westville and Durban North, before they returned to settle here, once their son started school.

They have since retired, having bought the old mill manager’s property and developed it into 28 units. Carol now divides her time between Lions activities, family and travel.

She has a son, Tyran and Kim and two grandchildren.