Reiger Park’s Lottering takes up an executive post at SARU
Valke Rugby Union's first black president, Vivian Lottering, from Reiger Park, has been elected as an executive member of the South African Rugby Union.
He was elected at SARU’s general council meeting, in October, last year, and his term is set to run until April, next year, with an option of being re-elected.
Some of Lottering’s duties, together with the rest of SARU’s executives, include ensuring smooth running of the sport in the country and overseeing operations, marketing strategies and appointments of Springbok coaches.
Asked about the things he would aim to change in the sport, Lottering said: “I would like to assist our organisation to get the Springboks back as the number one team in the world, assist in creating a vibrant, financially strong organisation and getting spectators and rugby-loving fans back to stadia and enjoying the game again.
“I’d also like to assist in creating opportunities for every citizen in this country that loves rugby to play this game.”
Born in the Eastern Cape, Lottering’s love for the game started at a very young age. He was ‘born with a rugby ball in his hands’ as he puts it.
He played junior provincial rugby for Eastern Province as a young man before moving to Boksburg in 1979 where he played for Transvaal schools in 1978 and 1979.
He also played for the senior Transvaal independent rugby union.
In 1983, he featured for Eastern Transvaal for two years.
Following Lottering’s playing days, he focused on the administrative side of the game as secretary of the Eastern Transvaal Rugby Union during the apartheid era and chairman of East Rand United Rugby Club, in Reiger Park.
Following rugby’s unification in the country, Lottering became team manager of the Valke before joining the Valke board as a member, responsible for transformation and development. He then became deputy president for the union from 2001 until 2011.
He was then elected as acting president before becoming the president in 2012.
Quizzed about what the election means to him and Reiger Park, Lottering commented: “It means a lot. Positive things do happen in our community and I would like to be part of the positive news about Reiger Park.
“I am what I am today because of my community and I’m very proud of that.
“Our people need to realise that we should not let our circumstances be a stumbling block for us to reach our goals. Something good does come from our community, where drugs and other negative stories are rife. It depends on your attitude and focus.
“People in Reiger Park need to dream big, work hard and achieve their goals.”
Jan Wigand and Reiger Park’s Raymond Human have since been named president and deputy president of the Valke, respectively, following Lottering’s departure. – @SabeloBoksburg
