The Stellenbosch Rotary Club joined in the festive celebration of Rotary International’s 105th birthday which was held at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Tuesday, 23rd of February.
To celebrate the event, prominent landmarks around the world were illuminated with the End Polio Now message.
In Cape Town, the Kick Polio Out of Africa awareness campaign was launched with the symbolic kicking of a soccer ball signed by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. By putting in the highest bid in a fundraising auction, Stellenbosch club members Barry and Vanessa Eason became the proud owners of the ball, which will be coming home to them after it has travelled through 22 polio-affected countries en route to the RI Convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada, in June.
Rotarians celebrate together at the Waterfront
Shan with Vanessa and Barry - proud new owners of the soccer ball
See how Hans Vonk from the Ajax soccer team symbolically kicks the ball to launch the Kick Polio out of Africa campaign:
Apart from its international significance, Stellenbosch was also very proud to induct 3 new members in front of the Old Port Captain’s Office in the waterfront - Cape Town’s illuminated landmark. A warm welcome to Jaco, Laurika and Rene.
Geraldine, Rene, Shan, Laurika, Jaco & Derek - welcome to the club
Stellenbosch Rotaractors and their German guests
Stellenbosch Rotary Club and friends
To read more about the international celebration of Rotary’s birthday, visit the Rotary International website.
The illuminated Old Port Captain's Office