Can you hear her roar?

MIDRAND – Yolandi van der Schyf said the Lions Club runs in her family blood.

February 1, 2019

Yolanda Buthelezi 1 minute read

Midrand Lions Club members Pat Gebeda and Yolandi van der Schyf. Photo: Trevor Sturges

Member of the Midrand Lions Club, Yolandi van der Schyf, believes that service clubs still have a role to play in the community.

With just more than five years in the club, Van der Schyf said she has learned quite a number of lessons. “The importance of clubs like ours is not something you can quantify. We will always need the help of the people in the community. It gives a sense of belonging. It has a ripple effect of goodness.”

The 34-year-old said the Lions Club runs in her family’s blood.

She joined the Lions Club of Bloemfontein when she was 28 and joined the Midrand Lions Club two years later when she relocated to Gauteng

Her father inspired her to join the club, after which her brothers also joined.

“I grew up in the Lions Club. My father joined the Lions Club of Vryburg in 1986 when I was two years old.

“It was through a Lions Club convention in Howick that I met Cliff Hocking, current president of Midrand Lions Club and he invited me to join their club when he heard I was relocating [to Midrand].”

Although she would like for her children to carry on the Van der Schyf name through the Lions Club, she believes in free choice.

“Both my brothers are members of the Lions Club of Reitz, it is in our blood so I would love for my children to become Lions members.

“But just like my father had given us the chance to make our own choice to join, my children will choose for themselves.”

Every club faces its own challenges but that did not deter Van der Schyf from her humanitarian work. “Our club went through some financial troubles a few years back, but with hard work and motivation from our experienced members we survived and are stronger than before, with the ability to help more people in the Midrand community.”

This is all about moving the club to greater heights. “My plan or dream is to become president [of the club] and make sure that the club lives on to influence many more lives,” she concluded.