Rotary inducts new leader for 2023/24

POLOKWANE- Friday evening was a highlight on the social agenda of the Rotary Club of Polokwane when outgoing president, Susan van der Merwe inducted Prof Adriaan Anderson as the club’s president for 2023/24 at a gala dinner held at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World.

Anderson is an associate professor at the School of Law at the University of Limpopo and served as secretary of the club for the last year.

After the ceremonial toasts to South Africa by Rotarian Frikkie Ponelis, Rotary International by past president Chymie Naidoo and the Rotarians’ partners by past president Dudley Venner, Van der Merwe reflected on her presidential year and presented her annual report, reflecting on the club’s projects and activities. Van der Merwe thanked past president, Dr Ursula Moodie for standing in for her for the last quarter after she relocated to Pretoria as well as for the Rotarians who kept the wheels rolling.

The club’s ongoing involvement with Siloe School for the Blind as well as Our Home/Ons Tuiste were only some of the success stories mentioned.

Anderson received the club’s charter as well as the chain of office and the traditional hammer and bell gong from Van der Merwe. This gong is used to announce the beginning and the closing of club meetings and also to restore order when necessary. “However, never strike the hammer in anger,” Van der Merwe advised on a lighter note.

Anderson thanked the Rotarians for the confidence to elect him to the position of president and announced the names of the members of the board for 2023/24. Aneshrie Moodley is the new treasurer, Frikkie Ponelis will take over as secretary and John Mogodi (president elect and chair of the public image committee), Dr Ursula Moodie (membership), Past President Charles Hardy (service committee) and Chymie Naidoo (foundation committee) will lead the club.