Lion James van Heerden: a life dedicated to serving the needy

“For me, true fulfilment doesn’t lie in material possessions, but comes from what you give back to the community, especially to the people who find themselves in extreme poverty,” these are the words of the people’s servant Lion James van Heerden.

Van Heerden has, for almost four decades, been serving the needy and under-resourced communities of Boksburg and surrounding towns through his voluntary services at local NGOs and other charitable causes.
He has for decades been juggling many roles, serving as a member of the Boksburg Child Welfare board of directors for 36 years while also serving as a member of the Boksburg Lions Club until its closure in June last year, and earning a living working for different private companies.

Even the closure of the Boksburg Lions Club did nothing to diminish Van Heerden’s enthusiasm to continue serving the poor. He, along with the other two members (Lion Tony Norris and wife Nora Norris), subsequently joined the Benoni Host Lions Club to continue their charitable causes in Boksburg and Benoni.

“It makes me feel good” The Advertiser has recently caught up with Van Heerden at his new home in Beyers Park, Boksburg, where he shared his journey with community services and his dreams for the future of the country.
“Give back, and better the lives of the people around you, has always been my motto.

“I’m always committed to creating a better society through charitable causes, and I believe that the world can become a better place if more people start giving to good causes.
“The fulfilment and joy you get when you give to others and you see that smile on their faces, even if their teeth are dirty and broken – just that smile is so special to me.
“In a nutshell, I love helping others because it brings me so much joy and helps me to always be grateful.

Hard worker
Born and bred in Polokwane, formerly known as Pietersburg, Van Heerden moved to Gauteng after finishing school at Capricorn High School.

He studied aeronautical engineering and polymers, before juggling between his professional career and charity projects in Boksburg.
He worked for Atlas Aircraft for 10 years and later worked in the plastics industry, Gundle Plastics, before he joined Aberdare Cables where he retired about eight years ago.

Even after his retirement, Van Heerden continued his community services by voluntary working at the two NGOs and started to volunteer time in teaching youngsters maths at a primary school near Daveyton.
Through his involvement in the education sector he received recognition from the Gauteng government when he was invited to be a guest speaker at a gala occasion in Kempton Park. This event was organised for retired professionals who continue to voluntarily render services to their respective communities.

Van Heerden is married to Anke and they were blessed with two sons – Matthew who lives in Holland with his wife Jenna and Simon who is married to Anke and they also live in Boksburg.

Child welfare: making a difference
Van Heerden pointed out that Boksburg Child Welfare is battling several challenges to keep up with the demands, as with the economy that has gone so bad, many more children need help.
“It would be nice if we can get a little bit more support from the people of Boksburg to be able to meet the ever- increasing demands to take care of poor and vulnerable children.

Van Heerden pointed out that the welfare has a couple of children’s homes in different parts of Boksburg and the costs of running those facilities are escalating rapidly.
One of these homes was recently damaged in a fire and another one (Keep Me Safe House, in South Street) was closed down because there were just not enough finances to keep it open.

“Government gives us a small amount of money to take care of vulnerable children, but it is not enough to cover the high overheads. We need to pay the rates and taxes, pay bills, pay the day mother and provide food for the children, clothing and other necessities.

Van Heerden said they would like to reopen the home on South Street to accommodate at least six children and the house mother. He appeals for sponsors to make that mission a dream come true. To donate, contact the acting director Nompumelelo Gidela on 011 039 4679.

“Giving back to the community through sustainable charity programmes, like Child Welfare and other local organisations, is an effective way of lending a helping hand to people in need.
“Givers need to understand that the impact giving to good causes has on society doesn’t just benefit the recipients, it benefits the givers too as it helps to create a better community and a better world.”

It’s not all doom and gloom
Van Heerden also touched a bit on the difficult economical and political situation in the country.
“I think it’s not all doom and gloom in our city. There are still bright spots that give me and my family hope that things will change for the better.

“I think the municipalities haven’t got enough money because of whatever happened in the past, but I see the city is now tackling the potholes. That may be seen as a small
thing, but it gives me hope.
“Yes things are very bad, with all these high rates of crime, expensive petrol and electricity and the worse economy exacerbated by load-shedding, but we love our country and my wife and I feel comfortable here.

“Although many people may not recognise it, there are changes already – slow changes. And what I’ve noticed is that there are people in power who demonstrate the will to bring change to our city and the country.

“The politicians are something else, but the people in general in South Africa are so accepting, no matter who you are. It would even be better if the president we vote for, like other countries abroad, dismisses himself or herself from the political party and becomes the president of the people.

“We like what Nelson Mandela and the ANC stood for, but now, I would personally prefer the option to vote for individuals, not parties. And whoever wins can then appoint
people based on the qualities they have, even if those individuals are affiliated with different political organisations.

“Also, it would be nice if retired professionals with skills volunteer their time to assist where there is a need. I would be available to assist where I could and I’m not expecting anything in return. Even if it’s driving around inspecting the roads to check which roads have potholes that need to be fixed.”

Lions club: still alive
The Lions Club may have closed its Boksburg branch, but its members continue to reach out to the most vulnerable in society.

After serving the community of Boksburg for 50 years, the club resorted to closing down the branch in June last year following years of a struggle to get young people into the organisation to take the reigns from long-serving members who were getting old and others who have died.
However, according to Van Heerden, the Lions Operation Brightsight project is still active in Boksburg and they also hold monthly fundraisers to benefit residents of two informal settlements, one in Villa Liza and the other one near Daveyton.

He explained that money raised during their fundraisers is used to buy food which is then distributed among residents of the informal settlements. Meanwhile, the Lions Operation Brightsight project continues to provide services to many individuals who cannot afford the cost of an eye test and glasses.
These include bona fide pensioners, the unemployed and students from poor families.

Qualifying individuals are, however, expected to contribute a fee of R300 to be tested and be provided with the prescribed glasses for reading and distance sight.
The participating optometrist for Operation Brightsight in Boksburg is Dave Muir Optometrist, in Rondebult Road, Farrar Park.
If you cannot afford spectacles but need them, visit Dave Muir Optometrist by appointment. Contact them on 011 913 4511.

“I would like to open the club again but I need people and I need young people because we are getting old. At the welfare too, we need people on board. It only costs you time that you can offer.

The Lions still do their annual Christmas cakes sale fundraiser in Boksburg. The 2022 cakes have already been ordered and members will start selling them sometime before the festive season.

Van Heerden pointed out that when the club closed down its Boksburg offices had R50 000 which was donated to local NGOs.
R20 000 went to Child Welfare, another R20 000 went to Cosmos Old Age Home, and the remaining R10 000 went to the Brightsight project.

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