Chairman, Byron Bjorseth, with his committee members for 2020: Edwin Fouche, Divan Geel, Gareth Fitzpatrick and Clinton Sweeting.
Fellowship was celebrated at the Ncandu 86 Round Table Induction Dinner, which took place at Avalon Guest Manor on February 8.
Master of ceremonies for the night, esteemed businessman, former Tabler and 41er (a club for ex-Tablers over the age of 40), Eric Wright opened proceedings with ease and confidence and soon had guests chuckling along to anecdotes as he introduced speakers for the night.
Eric Wright keeps the jokes coming, as the evening’s master of ceremonies.
New Tabler, Divan Geel read out the aims and objectives of the organisation:
“To develop fellowship among young men through the medium of their professional and business occupations;
To emphasise the fact that one’s calling offers and excellent medium of service to the community;
To cultivate the highest ideals in business, professional and civic traditions;
To recognise the worthiness of all legitimate occupations and to dignify each his own by precept and example;
To foster responsible citizenship and loyalty to their country;
To further the establishment of peace and goodwill in international relationships;
To further these objects by meetings, lectures, discussions and other activities.”
Dieter Wichmann and Nzuzo Nxumalo look dapper.
Following starters and toasts, guest speaker, David Kaye wished the incoming committee luck and encouraged them to embrace the motto of ‘adopt, adapt and improve’.
“Know the 41ers are behind you,” he promised.
Outgoing chairman, Vernon ‘Pilot’ van der Merwe then delivered his final report.
“Round Table is the only organisation where you can walk into a room and know no-one, and three years later, you’re brothers,” he began. “It gives you the opportunity to speak, but Ncandu 86 Round Table follows our own set of rules, and that makes us stick out – we hold ourselves to higher standards.”
Outgoing chairman, Vernon van der Merwe looks contemplative.
Adding that the Tablers all spoke with one voice, van der Merwe anticipated many positives ahead for the organisation. Through incoming chairman, Byron Bjorseth, he continued, the Table would be led with pride.
Vernon van der Merwe vacates the head of the table,and sashes a new chairman – Byron Bjorseth.
He counselled the assembled Tablers to be proud members of the community and upstanding gentlemen. Following his speech, van der Merwe handed out trophies to the following members:
‘Nightowl’ Trophy (last man standing) – Gareth Fitzpatrick
‘Best Project Attendance’ – Dieter Wichmann
‘Tabler of the Year’ (best all-rounder, as voted by the members) – Byron Bjorseth
‘Chairman’s Tabler of the Year’ – Byron Bjorseth
‘Leg of the Year’ – Chantel van der Merwe.
Chantel van der Merwe accepts her award for ‘Leg of the Year’ from Byron Bjorseth.
As part of the outgoing Tablers destined for the 41ers, van der Merwe and Dieter Wichmann were given a cheeky farewell before formalities wrapped up for the night.
Jenifer Wichmann, Lisa Sweeting, Sonja Bester, Claudia Dorfling and Chantel van der Merwe are dressed to impress.Karl and Charlene Stucky enjoy a drink with David and Susan Kaye.Paul and Nicky Baney strike a pose with Janine Bjorseth.