Middelburg Rotary Club supports Sango Fun Run

Rotary at work

Interactors waiting for the action

The masses have arrived

The Middelburg Rotary Club and the Interact club joined forces to man a waterpoint at a fun run organised by the Social Workers of the CMR in aid of the children of the impoverished community of Sango Village at Laersdrift, approximately 60km from Middelburg. It was a wonderful site to see almost a 1000 children of all ages participate in the event. Rotary was definitely seen and the particiupants appreciated the water and oranges which was supplied. A great big thank you to PP Anya who got us all involved in the fun of the day.

Rotarians waiting for the crowds!!

The picture says it all!!!





PP Anya marshalling the troops

If you can't run .... there is a taxi!!!

A little help!!!

2013 Rotary Family Health Days a Huge Success!

New Members Welcome, A Paul Harris and more ...

On Tuesday, 17 September 2013 members, family and friends of our Rotary Club gathered to celebrate and honour special Rotarians.

The evening started with a presentation from the Interacts on their RYLA experience.  Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership program coordinated by Rotary Clubs across the globe. Each year, thousands of young people participate in this program. Young people ages 14–18 are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the club's district committee. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential. Rotary Clubs and the Rotary District cover all expenses for the participants. 

President Andre Brandmuller had the great pleasure to induct our newest members.  We welcome:  Leigh Brandmuller,  Ockie Schoeman, Renier Loubser, Marlize Loubser, Hannes Struwig and John Brislin.  We look forward to the fellowship that we will share as well as your participation in many club projects that make our community, country, and world a better place in which to live.

Rotarians Marlize and Renier Loubser, Leigh Brandmuller. Hannes Struwig and Ockie Schoeman with Pres Andre Brandmuller

The evening concluded with a special recognition.  Rabiya Latib was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award in recognition of her  outstanding contributions in placing “service above self".   The award is one of the highest accolades Rotary can bestow on a person and accompanies a donation of USD1000 or more by the sponsoring club, in the recipient's name, to Rotary International's Annual Programme Fund, which supports Rotary's worldwide programmes. 

Medical Device for Police Dog Unit

Rotarian Anya Chrissopolous from the Middelburg Rotary Club sponsored from the GTR fund, a medical device for the Middelburg Police Dog Unit.  This medical device will be used to stabilize injured victims until ambulances arrive.

2013 Greatest Train Race

THE 27^TH ROTARY GREATEST TRAIN RACE.

DGE Annie Steijn with one of the prize winners

The annual Rotary Greatest Train race between eMalahleni (Witbank) and Middelburg took place on 24 August 2013. It was the 27^th running of this event which is annually organised by the Rotary Clubs of Middelburg, Middelburg Cycad and Witbank.

This year the road relay event drew nearly 22000 participants in all categories. This makes it the largest event of its kind in the country. There were more than 500 volunteer marshalls (including Rotarians from Pretoria West, Johannesburg New Dawn, White River and Bela Bela).

The Greatest Train Race Committee aims to raise more than the R1,2 million raised in 2012 for the benefit of a number of deserving projects in the community. These include:

·         Middelburg Care Village – A children’s Home which was established arising from the Train race in 2003, and where 107 children currently are being cared for;

·         The annual training camp of the SA reservist police service in Middelburg and Witbank

·         Homes for the aged in Hendrina, Middelburg and eMalahleni;

·         Vegetable garden projects at schools and old age homes

·         Educational programs

·         Wheelchairs for the needy

·         Holidays for underprivileged senior citizens to the SWEMB Rotary resort in Badplaas

·         Weekend away for underprivileged children to Loskopdam

The event is made possible by large sponsorships from Anglo American, Eskom and Glencore, as well as many smaller sponsorships and contributions from the community in time and money.

“We look forward to seeing an even better race in 2014”

22000 medals



Rotarian Drummond Hammond from Belka Bela Helping at the busses



PP Andre Brandmuller cajoling participants to make the bus on time



Presentation by Exchange Student

During our weekly Rotary meeting, an Ermelo Phoenix Exchange Student from the Netherlands, Ms. Mara Daniel, who is exchanging with Ishani Lala from Middelburg, did a great presentation to club members. Mara stayed with Tanesh and Jyoti Lala in Middelburg.

Mara is from the Maas & Roer Rotary Club in Roermond, The Netherlands and stayed here for 5 weeks as an exchange student.  She also spend two days at St. Thomas Aquinas School in eMalahleni.

She talked about her experiences in South Africa and encounters with wild animals, which she loved. It was such a pleasure to listen to her stories and experiences.

In the photo she is shown with our Rotary Middelburg Club President, Andre Brandmuller and they are exchanging Rotary Club Flags.

Thank you, Mara for a great presentation!

President Owen Maroleni is inducted at Witbank Rotary Club

The Witbank Rotary Club inducted Pres Owen Maroleni as its President for the 2013/4 year. It was a wonderful evening, and the Rotary Clubs of Middelburg and Witbank confirmed their commitment to working together on large projects such as the Greatest Train Race, and some new Projects. President Andre challenged President Owen to a joint variety show/ melodrama by the 2 Clubs. This challenge was graciously accepted.


President Owen Maroleni

The induction of President Owen celebrated the renewal of the Witbank Rotary Club from a struggling Rotary Club of 4 members to a vibrant Club of 15 members from all sections of the community. PP Gerald Gouws was recognised for his hard work in this regard.


Pres Owen Maroleni with PDG Anton Meerkotter, AG Charles Deiner and Pres Andre Brandmuller of Middelburg Rotary Club



Celebrating - Rotarian Busani Shabangu, Ann Sharon Beale, PE Jane Moloisi and newly inducted Rotarian Dawie du Toit



Rotarian Jack Mathibe, President Owen Maroleni, AG Charles Deiner PP Hugh Cable and Ann Ushi Cable