Rotary club celebrates 90 years

THE Rotary Club of Durban celebrated its 90th anniversary on 25 January, and marked this occasion with a celebratory dinner on 5 February at the Elangeni Hotel.

With 24 charter members, the first ever Rotary Club launch, on 25 April 1924, took place at the historical Marine Hotel which was located on the corner of the then Victoria Embankment (Esplanade) and Gardiner Street. Dick King’s statue was situated directly opposite the hotel in the gardens on the Esplanade, and was adopted as the club’s logo. The membership, featuring many well-known Durban citizens and prominent Durban families, grew steadily over the years and at one stage reached 160.

“We have come a long way. We have a proud, rich history. Over the years we have chartered twelve clubs, of which ten still exist. Rotary has also been responsible for the establishment of institutions including Life Line, TAFTA (The Association for the Aged) jointly with Round Table, Lulama Treatment Centre and the Community Chest. We intend expanding and are looking forward to our hundredth year in 2025,” said Mike Hiron, 92nd president of the Rotary Club of Durban.

Tony Leon was keynote guest speaker at the dinner, and said he was delighted to be invited to speak at the auspicious occasion.

“I was at a meeting in Johannesburg, and when I arrived the security guard asked who I was. When I told him I was Tony Leon, he said he hadn't seen me on TV for a while, and he thought I was dead,” he laughed.

He said the great Mohammed Ali stated that service to others was the rent you pay here on earth, and that the Rotary Club of Durban had done a lot in the past 90 years and had more than paid its rent on earth.

Leon's theme for his speech was 'Past perfect, future imperfect', and he spoke about how far the Rotay had come since 1925.

“South Africa and South Africans in toughest times have displayed remarkable resilience. We defy the odds and turn situations around. When I think of the Battle of Dunkirk in World War II, where small boats went to shore and rescued allied troops, I think of the Rotary Club, like these small boats, which goes out and turns things around for people in South Africa,” he said.

Following Leon's insightful speech, club president, Mike Hiron, awarded him with a Paul Harris Award.