Northcliff Rotary Club is 50

It was a golden celebration for Northcliff Rotary Club when it rang in its 50th anniversary at an event held at the Johannesburg Country Club.

Since it was chartered in 1973, the club and its members have made sure to put out into the community what they are all about, ‘to be of service above self’. To mark this special year the organisation has partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to plant 50 trees in pre-identified areas.

“This is no small milestone, it has been 50 years of continuous service and not breaking this service even during Covid-19 as we were still active, albeit online, we still managed to help where we could,” said outgoing club president, Godfrey Ajusi.

One of the many ways it has also demonstrated to be of service to its community is through initiatives like its flagship initiative, the wheelchair project. This project started in 1993 and still hasn’t lost its momentum. Ajusi said they partnered with a UK-based club, Rotary Club of Rushmoor, who collect wheelchairs for them and once they arrive in the country, they are then refurbished and donated to anyone in Southern Africa who need them. “This club is known across the southern hemisphere as the club that gives wheelchairs to the needy without them having to buy it,” he said.

Ajusi said this was also an event that saw the induction of the new president, Rita Milan. He described Milan as someone who is completely different from him. As he is more loquacious while she approaches things with a lot more heart in it. “She will add a lot more love in how she does things and with that, hopefully, she will get members more active. Our objective is to remind people why they joined the rotary and Rita will use her ‘love element’ to get people doing all the activities.”

In rotary, presidential terms last only one year with successions planned about three years in advance. Having only a year to make and solidify his mark, Ajusi explained he not only learned the ability to put in place objectives that he can work on but also understood the importance of continuing the legacy of those before him, “One year term means you do not get stuck in positions of power for a long time.”

The newly inducted president said she and her team would continue the work on the various projects the club already has as well as create new spaces for youth engagement and interaction so harvest an appreciation for the Rotary and feel encouraged to join.

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Events to look forward to around Northcliff, Randburg, and Fourways.