DG Newsletter August 2023
Edition 2

Message from DG Ann WrightThroughout the Rotary world
August’s theme was ‘New Member’month.
Thank you to those who introduced
their friends, family, colleagues or
acquaintances to a new lifestyle ofService above Self. Our numbers are
improving.
To our newly inducted members I extend a very warm
welcome. I am sure you are a great asset to your club and I lookforward to meeting you in person at one of our District events.
Please embrace all that Rotary has to offer and enjoy your
Rotary journey.
This month I spent fourteen wonderful days in Namibia, acountry close to my heart. Rotarians will be pleased to knowthat this vast, sparsely populated country is the first country tohave incorporated the protection of the environment into its
constitution.

Earlier in the month I visited Luderitz which is surrounded bydesert, picturesque bays and a lagoon with lots of birdlife. I’m
deeply grateful to PP Ulf for hosting me at his Nest Hotel, AG
Ockert and President Reinard for a memorable DG club visit.
It has been a privilege visiting the clubs and their projects andgetting to know their members. The endless beauty of thecountry’s astonishing varied scenery is an otherworldly
experience.
In Windhoek I met with Presidents: Loretta RC Auas, PP Lanice
RC Klein Windhoek Valley, PP Danny RC Windhoek and in the
coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay with Kathryn andTaurai. Thank you to you all for Creating Hope in your World.
To my AG Edouard, you made my stay in Windhoek amemorable one. He was my advisor, driver and the organiser ofthe mini-conference in Windhoek. Thank you to our District
Trainer, PDG Casper Kruger, who drove from Somerset West to
participate in the conference.
During my stay I hosted a new member’s orientation and a
Namibian one-day mini-conference. Thank you to the Rotarians
who drove hundreds of kilometers to attend. That’s true
Rotary passion. Lots of learning and new friends were made.
In September Rotary Leaders from our Zone will attend Instituteto share information, build connections discuss TRF, Polio andmatters of general interest to Rotarians. PDG Tracey and I willbe travelling to Lusaka and we’ll be joined by PDG Lee-Ann
Shearing who will be one of the presenters. DGE Stephen will
first attend GETS and then join us.

I look forward to hearing about your Mental Wellness
projects and to meeting you at the mini-conferencein Riebeek Kasteel on 14 and 15 October where you will
use the opportunity to explore ways in whichto ensure your own mental wellness.
September is the start of Spring and as Leo Tolstoy said,‘Spring is the time of plans and projects.’
Happy Spring wishes to you all
Ann
Peace is not when everyone agrees.
It is when we respect our disagreements
and still play in the sandbox together.

NEWSLETTERHIGHLIGHTS
1. DG Ann Message
2. Partnering for Peace
3. District 9350 mini-conference
4. Mental Health
5. Rotary Friendship Exchange
6. Save these dates
7. Some Club News
8. Rotary Branding
9. Did you know?
10. DG Club Visits
11. Namibian mini-conference
12. Area of focus: Education & Literacy
13. Khayelitsha related projects
14. Do the Maths Stupid – PDG Geraldine Nicol
15. Rotary’s Vision Statement

EDITOR:
Tanya Stone tanya@conferencewise.co.za
DISTRICT GOVERNOR:Ann Wrightannw6942@gmail.com
DISTRICT OFFICE:
dist9350@iafrica.com

TAKE ACTION: www.rotary9350.co.za

ROTARY-PEACE CORPS WEEK

18-22 SEPTEMBER 2023
Connecting for Peace
Join us for the 2023 Rotary-Peace Corps Week 18-22 September! This week is an opportunity formembers of both organizations to collaborate, share their resources, and co-create projects that will havean even greater impact.
It is hosted by Partnering for Peace, a group of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who are also Rotaryand Rotaract members and are passionate about the impact we can make together through the official
Rotary-Peace Corps partnership.
The week’s theme is Celebrating our Connections and starts on Monday, 18 September with a panel
webinar on Peace through Service, Action and Diversity.

YOU CAN REGISTER FOR EVENTS HERE.
How else can your Rotary community participate in this week-long grassroots initiative? Although
opportunities vary by country and geographic region, consider the ideas below.
•

•
•
•
•

Recommend that clubs invite a member of the Peace Corps community to speak about their service
experience at an upcoming meeting.
To find a speaker, contact:o
The Peace Corps office in your countryoReturned Peace Corps Volunteers
Encourage your clubs to attend the Rotary-Peace Corps Week events.
Work with your district international service chair to explore opportunities for collaborating andpromoting international projects.
Contact local returned Peace Corps volunteer groups in your district. Introduce Rotary to them and offer
to help recently returned Peace Corps volunteers find a club or volunteering opportunity that fits theirinterests and commitment to service.
Share a list of service projects and causes clubs in your district are addressing with your local returned
Peace Corps volunteer group to see if there is an opportunity to collaborate.
For more information, email: events@partneringforpeace.org or visit Partnering for Peace

We encourage you to consider participating in this week of events andactivities and to extend this invitation to your clubs and district.

Mini Mental Wellness Conference
14 & 15 October 2023

DISTRICT 9350

MentalHealthHas your club made mental health a priority?
Can we freely ask each other,‘How are you really?’
We should all prioritize self-care and offer help tothose who are struggling.
Visit Goedgedacht website

CLICK HERE
Hosted by: RC Riebeek Valley Rotary Club
Venue: Goedgedacht Farm, Riebeek Valley
Riebeek Kasteel is one of the oldest towns in South
Africa.This particular farm on the slopes of the
Kasteelberg before Riebeek Kasteel, is located amere hour’s drive, 87 km from Cape Town.
Why attend:
RECHARGE YOUR BODY, SOUL AND MIND
What’s on offer: Inspiring speakers, a facilitatedwalking pilgrimage on the farm, time to reflect, Yoga,
art, dance options, walking of a labyrinth; walking on
the farm, mindfulness sessions, fun and theopportunity to meet your extended Rotary family.
Delicious healthy farm fresh meals and inspiration for
the New Rotary year.

Are our clubs welcoming, are our members andvisitors shown respect, kindness and care?
It is well-known that there are many benefits ofexercise on mental health.
All Rotarians and their partners are warmly
invited to attend the mini-conference in Riebeek
Kasteel in October where you can exercise atyour level of ability.
Your stress levels will reduce and your energy
levels will increase, anxiety and depression will
reduce and you will notice increased self esteem
and improved sleep when you exercise.

DETAILS:
The RC Riebeek Valley website will have the fullprogramme for mini-conference on its website asfrom Thursday 7th September 2023.
RIEBEEK VALLEY WEBSITE

You will be able to book your accommodation at
Goedgedacht Farm for Friday night (if you wish toarrive a day earlier). Saturday and Sunday 14-15
October, plus booking for Conference.
Bed & Breakfast – R700 pppd sharing, 2nd person
must pay R100 for breakfast.
Conference package:
R380pp1 x lunch @ R110pp,
1 x dinner/dance @ R180pp,
3 x tea & scone breaks @ R30pp per tea break.

Click on the links below to learn more
about Mental Health from the WHO :“Mental health atlas 2020”“World mental health report:
transforming mental health for all”

Rotary Friendship Exchanges
outbound to Long Island and Upstate
New York in 2024
District 9350 has been invited to send a group of
Rotarians on Rotary Friendship Exchange visits to thefollowing Districts:•
D7120 Upstate New York (USA) from 15 to 26
April 2024.
Visit includes: Finger lakes, Niagara falls andNorthern, Central and Southern Upstate NY•
D7255 Long Island (USA) from 1 to 11 JULY
2024
Any Rotarian in good standing in District 9350, with theirspouse/partner or as a single person, is eligible to go on
one of these RFE visits, provided they have either hosted
incoming RFE visitors from another country or are
prepared to host incoming RFE visitors in the future.
Visitors are responsible for paying for travel to and fromthe Districts named, all personal costs and some meals.
You will be accommodated free of charge in the homesof host Rotarians during your visit. These visits are greatfun, you learn a lot about the culture of the country you
visit, have some wonderful experiences, and see
amazing things often not available to the general visitor.
Mostly importantly you very often make good, lasting
friendships with your hosts and the other Rotarians
whom you meet.

Places are limited, so if you would like to be take part,please act quickly. We cannot guarantee that everyone
who applies will be successful, but we will do our best.
The District RFE Committee will allocate places by midOctober 2023.

E
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DA
WEBINARS
District 9350 ClubRunner Webinar
16 September 2023
09h30
Registration Link
District Food Gardens Webinar
Wednesday 27 September 2023
18h30
District Environmental
Sustainability Webinar
Wednesday 27 September
Details will be sent closer to the time

RC Riebeek Valley

If you would like to go on one of these friendshipexchanges please send an email with the following
information:••••

Your name and the name of yourpartner/spouse if applicable
Your Rotary club
Mobile number and
The district you would like to visit

BY: 30 September 2023
To: Pieter van Aswegen pavanaswegen@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 082 577 1415

VIDEO
The Value of Rotary’s Friendship
Exchange Program(taken in RI Assembly 2023-2024)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

WATCH

CLICK HERE

SOME CLUB NEWSTHE DISTRICT ADVISORYCOUNCIL (DAC)
is made up of past district governors who meet with the
DG four times a year and our first meeting was held at theGreenways Golf Estate.

RC LANGEBAAN
President, Jolene Wicht visited RC Grande
Baie in Mauritius recently and President
Sheneel Nundlall presented her with acopy of the Club’s birthday book.

Front: Geraldine Nicol, Ken Lester, June Webber
2nd row: Lynette Stassen, Ann Wright, Tracey Wilson,
Carl-Heinz Duisberg, Ian Pursch
Back row: Alex van der Sluys, Metcalf Fick, Jaap Steyn,
Casper Kruger, Ian Robertson, David Holtzhausen

RC HOUT BAY
A fellowship get together after the Club
meeting.

RC CLAREMONTBlind wine tasting fundraising evening.

RONDEBOSCH COMMON PARK RUN
VOLUNTEERS
Newlands RC contingent volunteering and having a lot of
fun and fellowship, at the Rondebosch Common Park Run.
We were there to help Teresa and Andrew Thomson who
were the run directors for the day.
Back: Andrew Thomson, Shân Biesman-Simons, Jenny
Ibbotson,Terry Lancaster and Jean Wilke. Front: Wendy
Goddard with her faithful followers, Steffi Goddard andBlossom Goddard

Are we on fire or justa damp squib?

ROTARY
BRANDING
By Lee-Ann Schearing
District 9350, Public ImageCoordinator
It has been over a decade now since Rotary introduced the new logo,
but it seems that the wheel turns slowly and many clubs around theworld have not adapted and changed to update their banners, signage,social media posts, letterheads and the like.
Whether you love the new clean look or hate it – you still have to use it.
Did you know. The first logo was created in 1905, changed and given
two new looks a year later, then amended again 4 years later, andagain 2 years later. Rotary International then waited 100 years tomodernise and we now have the trademarked logo, unveiled in 2012,that we should be using today.
Correct branding does not only matter to Rotary – correct branding isimportant to every global brand. Think about your own business. Doesit matter that your customers can easily identify you and distinguish
you from others? Think about your own personal brand and how you
feel when people have misconceptions and incorrect perceptions ofyou. Branding matters!
We need to protect our Rotary name and intellectual property. Misuseof the Rotary logo not only weakens our brand but there may befinancial consequences due to trademark licensing regulations. We
want to be recognised worldwide in a consistent and compelling way
and the best way to do that is to ensure that our logo is uniform andcompliant.

“Rotary” is the connective thread thatbinds Rotary International and The RotaryFoundation.
Rotarians naturally refer to ourorganization as “Rotary.”
Embracing “Rotary” as ourcommunicative name is a simple, yet
critical, step to unify our organization andstrengthen our message.

District 9350
ROTARYOUR COMMUNICATIVE NAME
What we call ourselves when referringto the enterprise as a whole in allcommunications.

Use of the Rotary wheel (mark of excellence) and the Masterbrandsignature (Rotary+wheel) have some guidelines that need to befollowed. I encourage everyone to watch the video on the brandcentre entitled “Getting started with the Brand Centre” to garner abetter understanding of the “new” branding initiative.
A good checklist when you are updating your club logo:
-

-

-

-

Always use your club identifier when creating your club logo in
the brand centre on the Rotary website. The name should be
the one that appears on your charter certificate or the namethat your community knows your club by.
NEVER obscure the Rotary wheel, or use a partial wheel, or
manipulate the wheel in any way. The Rotary wheel (mark of
excellence) should only be used with the Masterbrand signature(Rotary+wheel) and Never on it’s own. Do not use the wheel asa bicycle wheel, the number zero or any other type of“tweaking”. We need to take our logo seriously and abide by
the laid down guidelines.
Do not use images or graphics within or attached to the Rotarylogo. Nike would not add a tree behind their signature“swoosh”, and nor should be add anything extra to the Rotaryclub logo.
And finally, I urge you all to rtire your heritage logos with the“new” refreshed logos.

The beauty of Rotary is that it equips us with all the necessary tools
and materials to comply with the guidelines but we just do not use
them.

Be a brand ambassador and together let’s be one of thefirst Districts in the world to have correct complaint
branding across all clubs.

I challenge you all!

ROTARY INTERNATIONALOUR LEGAL NAME AND SUPPORTARM
How we refer to our global associationof 46,000 clubs and the governanceand offices that support them.

ROTARY FOUNDATIONOUR CHARITABLE ARM
What we use when referring to Rotary’s
fundraising and grant-making arm,
when appropriate and/or legallyrequired.

DG ANN’S OFFICIAL CLUB VISITSRC TABLE BAY

Past President Doug and President Janine were delighted to receive their Citation for last year during the DGs visit.
Celebrating with them are AG Pam Rawbone and DG Ann. RC Table Bay meet at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.
RC MELKBOSRC Melkbos Eyecare project at Orion
organization. AG Frederik Jansen is the
optometrist who has donated his time to thefolk at the Orion organization.

RC NOON GUN

RC TYGERBERGRC UPINGTON

Piet Senekal receiving his Honorary
Membership from President
Margaret Lambert. Piet has been a
Rotary member for 50 years.

PP Hannes Schoeman andPresident Deon Van Zyl

How do you
see HOPE?

“You can and You will.”
RC NOON GUN
AG Ross Kelly and President Zikhona Madubela.

President Zikhone Madubele
RC Noon Gun

DG CLUB VISITSNAMIBIARC LUDERITZRC Luderitz Rotarians meet at the fabulous Nest Hotel owned by PP Ulf Grunewald.

RC WALVIS BAY

RC Walvis Bay Rotarians
RC Walvis Bay President Taurai Chinhwaranuseee

RC WINDHOEKRC Windhoek project supports a farm school in the Dorbabis
area. They recently added 4 toilets to the 4 dormitories.

DG CLUB VISITSNAMIBIA

RC SWAKOPMUND

The MYO After-school children who entertained us with a recorder andmarimba performances in Swakopmund.

RC OTJIWARONGO
DG Ann with President Katherine fromRC Swakopmund.

Some of the Rotarians and Interactors fromRC Swakopmund.

RC Otjiwarongo at the Steps forChildren school run by Rtn Sonja
Schneider-Waterberg in Okakarara.
With her are AG Edouard, Rtn Cynthia,
President Dieter, Rtn Harry and DG Ann.

This is an excellent vegetablegarden located at the second
school.

RC WINDHOEK AUAS
RCWA support anafter-school
programme,
Mindsinaction STEAM
project which is ownedby 2 young engineer
members.

RC KLEIN WINDHOEKVALLEYLeft: President Loretta
with DG Ann at theAuas Afterschool

RC Windhoek Auas
inducted 2 newmembers during the
DG’s visit.

RC Klein Windhoek Valley visit.

NAMIBIAN MINI-CONFERENCE

PDG’s Casper and Carl-Heinz (zoom)
spoke about TRF and gifting.

Les Girls at the Namibian mini-conference.
AG Edouard presented thefacts around trafficking in
Namibia.

35 Namibian Rotarians attended theconference.

RC Luderitz President Reinard, AG Ockert
and PP Richard.

Rotarian Wolfgang Schenk
chatted about the KWV
projects.
Rtn Ndaudika and Rotaractor Ester.
AG’s Edouard and Ockert with DG Ann.

Rotarian Anke presenting RC Swakopmund’s
MYO project.

Guest Speaker, retired Ombudsman John Walter with PP’s
Heide and Brian.

SEPTEMBER

MORE THAN 775 MILLIONPEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF
15 ARE ILLITERATE.
THAT’S 17 PERCENT OF
THE WORLD’S ADULTPOPULATION.
“Education is a social process.
Education is growth.
Education is not a preparation
for life; education is life itself.”

BASIC EDUCATION & LITERACYJohn Dewey

AREA OF FOCUS
EDUCATION AND LITERACYThe Rotary Foundation promotes education and literacy for all by:•Involving the community to support programs that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide basic
education and literacy to all;•Ensuring that children have access to quality basic education•Reducing gender disparity in education•Increasing adult literacy in communities•Strengthening the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy•Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to basic education and literacy.

RC Pinelands RC - KHAYELITSHA EDUCATIONAL - Related Projects
Khayelitsha Convener - Brian Smart
ECD Community Projects
1.
2.
3.
4.

Nalibali Reading Program – Run by Mildred Tshukuse at P Section Ass. For Children & YouthNalibali Reading Program - Run by Lorna Tshukuse at Linga Community Project at informal known as
QuandoQuando.
P Section Soup Kitchen – Managed my Mildred Tshukuse with community staff, partially funded by City of CT and otherlocal business donor’s & NGO’s.
Linga Project Soup Kitchen – Managed by Lorna Tshukuse and foodstuffs funded and prepared by local QuanoQuondo
volunteer members. A small vegetable garden has been started.

COVID 19 Intervention Project
1. UCT – SII ( Schools Improvement Initiative) run by UCT Patti Silbert and chaired by PDG Geraldine Nicol.
Brian Smart is also a committee member and Youth Convener for Pinelands RC. This represents the current EarlyAct andInteract Clubs in our Khayelitsha Schools.
2. UCT SII available resources have currently identified the impact of Covid 19 on schoolchildren that havelost parents & relatives.
3. SII - Counselling Program - initiated to address this major issue affecting the learners in Khayelitsha inboth Primary & High School’s. Councillors were selected from the schools teaching staff, to receive
appropriate psychological counselling training and one on one sessions were implemented.
4. The program proved to be successful and has since been rolled out nationally by the Dept of Education.
Rotary Programmes
1.

EARLYACT programs During 2021 Pineland Rotary were supporting some 12 Clubs but since Covid
infections stopped most School access and activities. Minimal contact has been maintained. The wish is
to rebuild the contacts with the SII listed Schools.
2. INTERACT programs During 2021 Pinelands assisted with the support of 3 Clubs that Newlands RC andAM KAP RC were responsible for.
3. ROTARACT program Support was given for the initial efforts to set up the Rotaract program but
withdrawn due to covid.

DO THE MATHS STUPID!
This is the title of Mark Heywood’s Daily Maverick article reminding
us all of the vital link between education and food , between ayoung child’s body and brain development and the hunger
challenges facing our country.
See below for link to the DM article
In line with the RI incoming president’s
Stephanie Urchick’s request on Rotary’s
Action Plan , we need to find ways to“INCREASE OUR IMPACT in the all importantfield of education
What do we need to know to be able tosignificantly increase our impact in Basic
Education and Literacy?
➢➢➢

We need to know what the ROI ( Returnon investment ) is on our various Rotaryclub’s investment in Educational
programmes
We need to assess and measure exactly
how effective our various education
programmes are , especially in the lightof the hunger challenges facing thecountry .

➢What can we as Rotarian do ?
➢Strategically plan to integrate ALL oureducational programmes with nutritional
programmes.

➢

For long term impact and sustainability,
include a Food garden programme with ourclubs educational programme (NB : Our
District suggests that food parcels are only ashort term solution which further encourages
a dependency syndrome so rather go thefood garden route).

➢

Partner with a local NGO already working with
Food Gardens.

➢

Build your knowledge on food gardens byregularly attending the D9350 Food Garden
Webinars to learn the many ways Rotary
clubs help schools and communities toestablish food gardens.

➢

Sign up for the D9350 Food Gardens
Webinar on Wed 27th Sept at 17.00 – tolearn more about how malnutrition causes
stunting and its impact on educational
development, and get practical ideas ofwhat every club member can do to help
grow nutritious vegetable to change thelives of the children we all try to serve:
Contact lubbe58@gmail.com for the zoom
link to this webinar or find it on the D9350
website calendar.

➢

LETS BE THE “PEOPLE OF ACTION” WE
CLAIM TO BE :We need to understand theimplications on our educational ROIof this horrific statistic:-

1 in 4 children in SA are stunted (that means
their bodies and brains are not able to growand develop to their full capacity because of
severe and poor malnutrition) And thesestats are likely to continue due to massunemployment and rising food prices➢

PDG Geraldine Nicol

We need to ask whether the children forwhom we are providing books,
computers, teacher training, ECD, indeed
any form of educational support, aregetting sufficient nutritious food !
If they are not able to grow well, theycant learn well and do well in their future
lives . There are lifelong consequences ofmalnutrition – a child whose brain has notdeveloped due to poor nutrition is more
likely to drop out of school, struggle tofind future employment and live inproverty as an adult – so the poverty
cycle is perpetuatedLets ensure we take action to address thehunger challenge which is severely
impacting on the overall educational
development of the future generations of
our countries.

Read more on this link :DAILY MAVERICK ARTICLE“INVESTING IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD NUTRITION IS A
SUREFIRE STRATEGY. THE
REURNS ARE INCREDIBLY HIGH”
ANNE M. MULCAHYROTARY’S VISION STATEMENTTOGETHER WE SEE A WORLD
WHERE PEOPLE UNITE AND TAKEACTION TO CREATE LASTINGCHANGE ACROSS THE GLOBEIN OUR COMMUNITITES AND IN OURSELVESTAKE ACTION: www.rotary9350.co.za