Shereen Hunter to be president of Rotary E-Club of Southern Africa

Rotary member Shereen Hunter will be inaugurated as the new president of the Rotary E-Club of Southern Africa on July 1.

This appointment marks a momentous occasion for Hunter and the E-Club as they continue to gain traction across Southern Africa, primarily in Eswatini, South Africa, Botswana, and Mozambique.

The Rotary E-Club of Southern Africa is the largest club in the region, founded in 2014 by a diverse group of professionals, including both young entrepreneurs and established commercial titans.

Members of the E-Club are part of a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem solvers who envision a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change around the world, in our communities, and in the development of leaders.

Hunter’s Rotary journey began in 1993.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the start of her Rotary journey, which began when she travelled to Australia as an exchange student.

The 47-year-old University of the Witwatersrand graduate is the managing director of African Brand Architects, a turnkey brand management agency based in Johannesburg South.

Her role as president

Taking reins from her predecessor, Charlotte Khoza, Hunter’s nomination as president by her peers is a testament to her commitment to Rotary’s core values, which is service above self, goodwill, friendship and fairness.

By assuming the role of president, Hunter joins a distinguished lineage of African Rotarians and Rotary leaders such as former South African Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni, CEO of Mila Services and charter member of the Rotary E-Club of Southern Africa D9400 Annemarie Mostert, Eswatini deputy prime minister Themba Masuku, Eswatini Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Moses Vilakati, and the president of the Pan-African Media Research Organization Joe Otin, who have all championed the organisation’s mission of service above self in Africa.

Hunter will leverage her leadership acumen to guide the Rotary E-Club of Southern Africa in expanding its reach, fostering collaboration with stakeholders, and driving meaningful change within the communities they serve.
During her term of service in 2023/2024, Hunter has indicated two Rotary initiatives that are close to her heart that she would like to get more personally involved in.

These are empowering the girl child and working with the youth to develop leadership skills through Rotary mechanisms such as Interact and Rotaract.

Her life changed through the Rotary

“Rotary changed my life. The opportunities I was given as a young school leaver to travel the world and develop as a leader were priceless, and they laid the groundwork for my future success.

“It is a huge honour and privilege for me because my journey began as an exchange student in 1993.

“I come from a single-parent family, and at my government school, we had a girl visiting from Canada. As a young girl, I was interested in how she got here, and she told me about having to find out about the Rotary Club in my community.

“That was the first time I ever heard of Rotary. My mother looked into a nearby club, and I got an interview.”

According to Hunter, it was a 12-month selection process and interview. She was the first single-parent student to experience an exchange and this came as a surprise for her because her mother didn’t have a Rotary background and didn’t own a business.

For Hunter, it was a blessing and she was fortunate to be completely sponsored by Rotary, which hosted her in Australia for a year as a long-term exchange student.
“Since then, I believe it has opened doors for other young people whose parents do not have Rotary backgrounds but need the opportunity. That’s how my experience began 30 years ago, and I had no idea that three decades later, I’d be appointed as president of Rotary E-Club Southern Africa,” said Hunter.

Identified as a leader

Hunter said she became involved in the E-Club five years ago, and her mentor, Annemarie Mostert, identified her as a future leader.

“Rotary invited me back as an Alumni member, and my mentor asked what my profession was, and told her I own a brand management agency. I am in the marketing, advertising and public relations space.

“She immediately asked me to join the club’s public image committee, where I used my professional skills to add value to Rotary service. I served for five years consecutively before being elected president this year. She got me into Rotary until I gained momentum,” said Hunter.

Hunter added that being a former exchange student is very beneficial in the long run because you get a lot of leadership training from the experience which really helps in the future.

Preparations

Rotary has an excellent online learning platform.

Hunter has been involved in numerous online training modules and webinars. She also attended two large training workshops in Midrand for incoming leadership.

“I believe that is a huge benefit for Rotary because once you get involved, even as a volunteer, there are so many opportunities for free education and free leadership training,” said Hunter.

Hunter emphasised that one of her mandates as being president is to spread the word about Rotary, what it stands for and the resources available.

How to get involved

According to Hunter, Rotary International is the world’s largest service organisation. It is about bringing community leaders and civil citizens together to make a difference by assisting.

“There are numerous ways to make a difference in a community; however, making a difference must be done from the heart.

“The Rotary policy is that it is by invitation only, so any professional who wants to get involved with Rotary can connect via the website or email directly to their closest Rotary Club. Depending on your location, Rotary will connect you to the club closest to you or an online club option.

People who express an interest in membership, are contacted by a club president or membership chair, who would invite them for an interview to determine if they are qualified to be Rotarians and to join Rotary International,” said Hunter.

Difference between Interact, Rotaract and Rotary Clubs

Interact is a club for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact Club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world.

Interact clubs organise at least two service projects a year, one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves.

Rotaract brings together people ages 18-30 in universities and communities worldwide to organise service activities, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun.

Rotary clubs sponsor them, but Rotaract members manage and fund their clubs independently. Rotaract members work closely with their local Rotary club and may join after their Rotaract membership ends.

Rotary clubs bring together a global network of established business leaders and professionals dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, providing service to others, promoting integrity, and advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace.

Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their communities to working toward a polio-free world. Rotary clubs also offer opportunities to network.

For more information, contact Hunter via email at shereen@rotary9400.org.za or 073 607 7468.