Pieter bids farewell to Child Welfare

After many years of service to Child Welfare SA Edenvale and Bedfordview, chairperson Pieter le Roux will step down from the position.
Pieter and his wife will be moving to the coast in a few weeks.

He was inducted as chairperson six years ago after leaving the corporate world and volunteering his services to NPOs, such as Edenhaven Retirement Village and Child Welfare.
Pieter said he decided to walk through Edenvale and enquire which organisations needed assistance.

“After doing maintenance work, such as repairing the children’s play equipment, I was asked to be part of the committee,” said Pieter.

Once on the committee, Pieter was voted in as chairperson.

He said when he was first voted in as chairperson, the welfare was operating on a month-to-month basis.

“My aim and goal for the committee, at the time, was to create a Child Welfare that could be self-sustainable if funds from the government were to stop for whatever reason,” explained Pieter.

“Through serious fund-raising efforts, donations from the community and businesses this was achieved not only by me, but everybody here.

“Everyone is proud of what has been achieved over the past six years.”

He said the effort of the staff, current and former committee members, enabled the welfare to be where it is today.

Pieter gave special mention to vice-chairperson Nikki van der Walt, whom he described as his right hand at the welfare.

Besides being in a financially stable position, Pieter said several upgrades were done to the property over the years.

Pieter thanked the community for its continuous support over the years, especially during the hard lockdown and the rest of 2020.

“Trucks from Pick n Pay dropped off groceries and food that were made into hundreds of food parcels and distributed among the community to families in need.”

Pieter said when he first got involved in Child Welfare, he never thought he would be where he is today.

“Being involved in an organisation like Child Welfare, you deal with people and their emotions. Yes, you work with finances but money and deliverables are not your focus,” highlighted Pieter.
“Everything I have done as a chairperson I have done with the best interest of the Child Welfare in mind. I may have clashed with one or two people but everything was done within the legal framework, which is important to note.”

Speaking on the future of Child Welfare, Pieter said it has a balanced committee mixed with experienced members and younger members.
Pieter will remain active in the organisation until the AGM in September, when he steps down.

“We would like new committed young members to join the committee.”

He explained that if the prospective committee members are accepted at the AGM, they will be designated a portfolio.

“A new chairperson and vice-chairperson will be chosen and voted in from the committee members.”

Once on the coast, Pieter hopes to continue his involvement in community work but on a smaller scale.

As a qualified boat surveyor, he is considering working with a ski boat club or doing maintenance work for a charity.

In a final message to the community, Pieter said, “There are so many good people in Edenvale. I’ve seen this time and time again.
“Edenvale residents should be proud of their community and who they are.”

To learn more about Child Welfare SA Edenvale and Bedfordview, visit its website (https://www.edenvalechildwelfare.co.za/).

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