Saturday was a bright winter’s day when Rotary Ship (RS) Waterfront prepared to embark on a new voyage of Service. Our Rotary Ship (RS) called in to Port to replenish, hand-over Command and take on on board new crew Members. A clear call on the Bosun’s Pipe rang out as the new Captain received his Sailing orders from the Retiring Captain. With sails set, the excited crew and supporters waved our sturdy vessel away from the quayside as the visit came to a close⚓ 👨✈️.
The induction event of President Hamilton Zwane at Kelvin Grove last Saturday is a highlight of the Rotary year – reconnecting with former crew, strengthening our relationships with our partners in service and Friends of Rotary. More importantly, reactivating the energy and commitment of crew who add ballast to hold our Rotary Ship steady for the sail ahead. ⚓ 👨✈️.
The momentum and collaborative spirit built during the year were also evident where the strength of our network and relationships was visibly demonstrated through the participation of partners and stakeholders who continue to support our shared purpose as we prepared to set sail. The pics provide a “drone overview” – capturing the true spirit of “Ubuntu” – “we are human only through the humanity of other human beings”
Crew and guests were warmly welcomed and recognised by Emcee Andre du Toit. After the appropriate Toasts, President Derek was called to provide a valedictory for the 2025-2026 RY.
Reflections on the 2025/26 Rotary Year – President Derek Pead
As I come to the end of my term as Captain, I thought it would be useful to spend a few minutes reflecting on where we’ve come from, what we’ve achieved, and where I think there is still work to be done. This isn’t intended as a report card on individuals. It is a report card on us as a club.
Looking back, I think we can be genuinely proud of the progress we’ve made.
One of our priorities was to strengthen fellowship. Rotary is, after all, a service organisation, but it’s also a community. Initiatives like Thirsty Thursdays, our sunset cruise, fireside evenings, club celebrations and other social events helped us get to know each other better. Those relationships matter because clubs built on friendship tend to serve more effectively.
Membership has also moved in the right direction. We welcomed six new members this year, bringing fresh skills, energy and ideas into the club. We also made a conscious effort to think differently about corporate membership and how we position the value that Rotary can offer to organisations, not just individuals. There is still more to do, but the foundations are stronger than they were a year ago.
Our public image has improved significantly. We invested in our website, social media and digital presence. More people now know who we are and, more importantly, why we exist. We received District recognition for our public image efforts, which was pleasing, but the real reward is that more people are becoming aware of the work being done by this club.
Our fundraising efforts also gathered momentum. The Waterfront Canal Challenge attracted new sponsors and partners, and collaborations with organisations such as SIYP and Wings for Life demonstrated that partnerships allow us to achieve far more than we could alone. We also continued to strengthen relationships with organisations across the district and beyond.
Perhaps what pleased me most was our growing emphasis on impact rather than simply activity.
Rotary has never been short of goodwill. But goodwill, by itself, doesn’t change lives.
This year we increasingly asked ourselves different questions:
- Where can we make the greatest long-term difference?
- Which projects are sustainable?
- How do we measure whether we’re actually improving lives?
That led us towards concentrating our efforts geographically, building longer-term partnerships and beginning to measure outcomes rather than simply counting activities. I believe that shift in thinking is one of the most important developments of the year.
Our community projects continued to make a real difference. From literacy and vocational training to youth development, governance support, food security and peace-building initiatives, we have remained true to Rotary’s ideal of Service Above Self. We also continued to support projects that develop people rather than simply provide short-term relief. Those investments in education, employability and leadership will continue paying dividends long after this year is over.
Of course, it wasn’t all green.
Some objectives remained amber, and a few stayed stubbornly red.
Not every partnership developed as quickly as we had hoped. Some membership initiatives didn’t fully achieve their targets. A few community activities proved more difficult than expected, and, as always, limited time, funding and volunteer capacity meant that we simply couldn’t do everything we wanted to do.
But that’s perfectly normal.
An Action Plan is not a wish list. It is a management tool. If every box is green, the targets were probably not ambitious enough.
The important thing is that we now know where further attention is needed, and Hamilton and his team will be starting from a much stronger position than we did a year ago.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who contributed during the year.
Our directors, committee members, project champions, partners, sponsors and every Rotarian who quietly got on with the job without seeking recognition.
Leadership in Rotary is never a solo performance. It is always a team effort.
Hamilton, tomorrow you don’t inherit a perfect club.
You inherit a healthy club.
A club with committed members.
A club with good governance.
A club with ambitious projects.
A club with an increasingly strong reputation.
And, perhaps most importantly, a club that is learning to think strategically about lasting impact rather than simply keeping busy.
I wish you, your Board and every member every success in the coming Rotary year.
The baton will soon be yours .
Go and make us proud.👏👏
Together we Rise: United in Hope – Captain Hamilton Zwane
This Is my theme for the year. This is more than just a theme for banners and presentations. It’s how I want us to move as a club this year.
Let us show up for each other.
Show up for communities.
Show up consistently.
And create work that actually lasts.
Standing here this morning as the first Black Club President and millennial of the Rotary Club of Waterfront is honestly something special. It’s a moment I’m proud of, but also one I carry with a real sense of responsibility.
At the centre of who I am is uthando — the Zulu word for love.
Love for people.
Love for community.
Love for making sure others have opportunities, too.
That is the energy I want to bring into this year.
Firstly, I want to acknowledge the leaders who came before me. The Rotary Club of Waterfront already has a strong foundation and a reputation for excellence. My role is not to reinvent the club, but to build on what already exists and help move us into a space where we create even deeper impact, especially for young people and communities in South Africa.
Our focus will be on holistic and long-term impact, with peacebuilding, education, and food security at the centre of what we do. Not quick fixes. Not doing projects just for photos. Real impact that communities can feel long after we leave. Everything we do will still be guided by the Four-Way Test and aligned with the work of the District and Rotary International, but I also want us to keep evolving as a club — staying relevant, inclusive, and connected to the realities people are facing today.
Another big focus is member engagement.
We all know getting 100% participation all the time is unrealistic, but let’s aim for 95% because people stay where they feel seen, valued, and connected. Every crew member has a place in this club. Not just at meetings — but in conversations, projects, leadership, friendships, and ideas.
The space already exists. The platform is there. This year, I really want us to lean into it and be active together.
I want to make this year count.
I want to leave behind something meaningful.
Not just for the club — but for young South Africans who need to see that leadership can look like them too.
I entered this club as a Peace Builder, and that will always stay part of who I am. I believe peace is built through opportunity, dignity, conversation, and people genuinely caring about each other.
So to my Rotary Club of Waterfront flotilla — thank you for trusting me with this role.
Let’s rise together.
Let’s lead with purpose.
Let’s build hope.
And let’s make this a year people will remember for the right reasons.
Thank you, everyone.
Ngiyabonga nonke.
Introducing the Incoming Board
🌟Captain Hamilton introduced his Board for the year – L-R: Spiro Mitchell (Master Bosun/Club Admin), Sue Truter (Club Secretary), Jan Buurman (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Michelle Whitehead (Membership), Captain Hamilton, Debby Daniel (Club Treasurer), Mymoena Ismail (Partnerships and the Rotary Foundation), Dirk Hoffman (PP/Vice-President), June Webber (Public Image) and Piet Postema (Service Projects).🌟 Wishing the club smooth sailing this RY!
