Our guest speaker on Friday was Jaco Janse van Vuuren a “newbie” to the RC of Waterfront. Jaco is a proponent of life long learning, energized by people and ideas, focused on both the big picture, abstract concepts. He is the CEO of VitaLarch (Pty) Ltd. Championing Farmers’ Voices in Global Agriculture|Balancing Sustainability with Strategy|Driving Solutions Where Everyone in the Agricultural Chain Thrives.

Service Above Self

A guiding principle to live by: fostering acquaintance as an opportunity for service, promoting high ethical standards in businesses and professions, applying the ideal for service in daily life, and advancing international understanding, goodwill, and peace.

Finding Purpose Through Service — Meet New Member Jaco

This week, our club had the pleasure of hearing from new member Jaco, who shared an inspiring and deeply personal reflection on finding purpose through service.

A man guided by strong personal values, a devoted husband, and a proud father, Jaco spoke about his ongoing journey to live a life of purpose. Rather than being defined by circumstance, he strives to stay grounded in qualities such as humility, concern, meekness, morality, compassion, wholesomeness, peace, and vulnerability. These, he explained, serve as his daily anchors.

He beautifully connected this personal philosophy with Rotary’s enduring principle of “Service Above Self.” For Jaco, purpose is not a final destination but a way of living — one strengthened through acts of service, reflection, and kindness toward others.

Club member Michelle expressed appreciation for Jaco’s openness and “vulnerability,” reminding us that authenticity and courage lie at the heart of genuine human connection.

We look forward to seeing how Jaco’s perspective and passion for purpose will continue to inspire those around him — both within Rotary and beyond.