The Rotary Club of Wynberg celebrated the induction of its new president and board for the year 2020/ 2021 via their first virtual induction held over Zoom, on Thursday July 2.
Inductions were traditionally in grand, face-to-face settings, to celebrate the occasion, but measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 made this impossible.
Despite the limitations of physical distancing, the Zoom induction included a performance by violinist Kezia Dawson of Beau Soleil Music Centre, one of Wynberg Rotary Club’s past fundraising beneficiaries, a rap by past president Mike Schreiber and a one-liner battle between Mr Schreiber and David Barnard.
A formal hand-over of the president’s chain from outgoing president Keela van Niekerk, who was the youngest president in the club’s history, inducted at age 28, to past Wynberg Rotaract President Justin Schonegevel, took place in front of the historical shed doors at Groot Constantia, done from a safe distance the weekend before, and shown in video during the evening induction event and on Facebook.
Mr Schonegevel hopes that in his presidential year, the club will be able to increase its membership and provide more opportunities for growth for each member.
Ms Van Niekerk used induction funds to donate blankets and gifts to Maitland Cottage Hospital in Newlands.
Rotary International President Holger Knaack’s theme, Rotary Opens Opportunities, speaks to the various opportunities that Rotary offers individuals, youth and communities. Rotary Wynberg is providing youth development opportunities through eight Interact Clubs at high schools in Cape Town, educational opportunities via bursaries to pupils at schools in Lotus River and Grassy Park, and health treatment through medical equipment donated to Victoria Hospital and a response vehicle to Community Medics.
To find out how you can get involved with Wynberg Rotary contact admin@wynbergrotary.org.za or visit their website wynbergrotary.org.za or find them on Facebook.
