New Lions Club president strives to alleviate suffering
The Boksburg Lions Club held its 47th annual presidential induction luncheon, at the Benoni Country Club, on June 27.
District governor Dave Cousins inducted James van Heerden as the new president of the Boksburg Lions Club.
He takes over from the outgoing Lions’ president, Hannelie van der Merwe.
Four of the six clubs which make up Zone Six also inducted their new presidents during the ceremony.
A Benoni resident, van Heerden has been a member of the Boksburg Lions Club for the past 32 years, and is now serving as president for the third time.
He served as president of the Boksburg Lions Club in 1993 and 1999, and also as the Zone Six Lions chairperson.
“When I joined the club, years ago, I wanted to bring change to other people’s lives, needy children, people with disabilities and elderly people in particular,” said van Heerden.
The new president’s plans include growing and improving the organisation in order to render the best of service to the community.
“We want to make sure that people who can’t hear or see and lack food and clothing receive help through our initiatives,” he said.
Van Heerden matriculated at Capricorn High School, in Polokwane, and studied aeronautical engineering at Atlas Aircraft. He also studied polymers and now works in the plastics industry.
He encouraged more people to join the club, especially the youth.
Van Heerden is happily married to Anke and they will be marking their 36th wedding anniversary in August.
The club’s youngest member is Hannelie van der Merwe, who is in her 40s. The oldest member is Charles Savelle, who joined the club when it was formed 47 years ago.
Internationally, the Lions organisation has been in existence for 98 years. It consists of 1.4 million members, and has been growing from strength to strength.
Anyone interested in joining the club may phone Tony Norris on 082 553 1607. – @FanieFLK
Hannelie serves second term as Lion’s president
