Almost 40 crew, guests and family gathered to celebrate Rotary’s 119th birthday on Friday – a hugely enjoyable event as can be seen by the broad smiles on the faces in the pic above.
Rotary’s 119th Birthday Celebrated Across the Globe
Not only did our club celebrate on Friday, but so did many clubs around the world, including our Rotary International President Gordon McInally who was Honoured to celebrate Rotary’s 119th birthday in Birmingham, Alabama, at District 6860’s Legacy Dinner in aid of our Rotary Foundation. An amazing $2,729,863 was raised. The RI President thanked all donors for their incredible generosity.
Rotary International President’s Message
“119 years ago today, in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois, a young lawyer and three friends met to establish the Rotary Club of Chicago. From that modest start the organisation has grown to a family of 1.4 million members who are changing the world, and changing themselves. I am proud to be part of that family.
Gordon R. McInally, RI President 2023-2024
Happy Birthday Rotary!”
Alderman James Vos Recognised with RC Waterfront Honorary Membership
A highlight on Friday was the recognition of Alderman James Vos (Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism – City of Cape Town) as an Honorary Member of RCW. Captain Mymoena Ismail dutifully provided James with his ‘Sailing Orders’ before presenting him with his Pin and welcoming him aboard SS Waterfront (see pic below). James responded warmly congratulating RCW and Rotary clubs world-wide, acknowledging what Rotary does to change the world. Besides working hard, he noticed that Rotarians also had a “whale of a time” despite their shoulders consistently to the wheel!
Special Guest: Rotary Peace Scholar Steven Nakana
Another highlight of was a visit from our Rotary Peace Scholar Steven Nakana, who was nominated by the Rotary Club of Waterfront two decades ago. Steven now also has a Ph.D from the University of Geneva and is the Chief Diversity Officer/Vice President, People Strategy, Equity, and Culture in Portland, Oregon, United States. Steven remarked how, from the age of 16, Rotary had changed his life, allowing him multiple opportunities to grow into the person he had become. (Steven looks angelic below with the halo that surrounds his head, as he congratulates James Vos!)
Adinga Becomes a Proud Corporate Sponsor for Waterfront Canal Challenge 2024
(Left): Alderman James Vos chatting to Lyndon Marescia – MD of Adinga, who confirmed a generous corporate sponsorship for the Waterfront Canal Challenge. This sponsorship was acknowledged with thanks by Spiro.
Celebrating Service and Collaboration for Positive Change
The event showcased RC Waterfront’s proud 31 year history of Service Above Self and the importance of working in collaboration with corporates like the V&A Waterfront to build relationships. A primary goal is to expand our club’s membership base – “more hands – more projects” – each project with a Peace component that will have a positive ripple affect that could change the world, one drop at a time.