A Global Grant - Vocational Training Teams (English 2nd Language Learning)

When the Future Vision Plan was introduced, I and many Rotarians were very concerned about the loss of the Group study Exchange Program and the challenges that would be faced by especially smaller Rotary Clubs to meet the requirements of the Foundation in respect of Global Grants.
During the past year, I have twice come to the realisation that the Global Grant program is accessible to smaller clubs, and that the Vocational Training team component thereof is a worthy substitute for the GSE prgramme.
The Middelburg Rotary Club and District 9400 together with District 6400 in Canada and the USA have initiated a global grant application, which involves the exchange of expertise in the field of English 2nd language teaching and learning in schools. The project has the full support of the Mpumalanga and Ontario Departments of Education and will result in a symposium for Educators in Middelburg at the end of July 2012, which will be presented by the Vocational Training teams from both Districts.
The team from D9400 has already returned from D6400 where the preparations for the programme in D9400 were done. I attach hereto a note from Team Leader Elaine Galanakis (Middelburg Rotarian) about their visit to D6400.

From Left to Right: Peter Motaung, Helena Coetzee, Talitha Sihlangu, Marelize Loubser, Team Leader Elaine Galanakis and Renier Loubser (Vocational Training Team from Middelburg and District 9400)

Dear Rotary Middelburg (District 9400)
I cannot even begin to describe what the Rotary 9400 VTT trip to Canada and the USA meant to the team and me on both a professional and personal level!   Thank you!   
The schools we visited blew our minds!  The teachers there are faced with similar challenges – the teaching of English to learners that do not have English as a home language.  Yet they have found ways and methods to incorporate the home language in their teaching and they work around the problems faced in the most practical of ways possible!  The emphasis is on the lessons being child centred with the teachers promoting and scaffolding.  This leads to the learners working in an independent, structured way, leading to them to reason and organise their learning content, often through paired or group work.  What a fun way this to learn!!  
The overseas Vocational Training Team joining us on the 14 July for three weeks, are all experts in the field of education with a wealth of knowledge. They have facilitated and supported us in setting up seminars and a symposium to help the teachers in our community to get their teeth into the CAPS policy - (prescribed to all schools throughout South Africa).   The aim is to present and pass on ideas to meet the requirements of the policy in a very practical way, keeping in mind that we want to motivate the educators and keep the project sustainable.  We have designed our programmes in such a way as to target all the school phases.   
There were and are so many wonderful people that need to be thanked for making this incredible experience and the opportunity to serve our community possible, especially the following: 

      Our most generous Rotary hosts in both Canada and the USA

      The ‘Canadian’ Vocational Training Team – Mary-Jean Gallagher, Dr David Lynn, Sue Chanko, Karen Albu and Jeanne Knopf-Deroche 

      Michael Duben ( District Governor of Rotary district 6400)  and Anton Meerkotter (D G of Rotary 9400) for the vision they had to improve education in the Middelburg community

      Armando Sardanopoli (District 6400) and André Brandmuller (District 9400) for the arrangements and the problem-solving that accompanied these

      Albert Myburgh ( District President Middelburg 9400) and his wife Augusta for the ‘behind the scenes’ arrangements

      Mr JJ Mabena and Mr Adonis for sanctioning the trip

      And last but not least, my amazing team: Renier and Marlize Loubster, Helena Coetzee, Thlitha Sihlanu and Peter Motaung for their invaluable contribution towards the project.

I believe that that the Four-Way Test of International Rotary has most certainly been covered and that it ‘will be beneficial to all concerned’.  Bless you!

Elaine Galanakis (VTT Team Leader District 9400)

Working Together we will make a difference!!!!!

Greatest Train Race 2012 - Launched

The Rotary Greatest Train Race which is to take place on 18 August 2012 was launched on 20 June 2012 at a function which was well attended. It was  wonderful to hear the support of this multimillion rand charity project - the largest fun race in South Africa- from the sponsors Xstrata Coal and Anglo American.
Beneficiaries of the 2012 race include The Middelburg Care Village, Blanket projects, Wheelchairs,Shelter (Disaster Boxes) in Middelburg and Emelahleni. Some funds will also flow to The Loskop project for underprivileged Childre., The SAP Reservists, The Rotary Holiday Resort (SWEMBE) at Badplaas, and Mpumalanga Athletics (for Development)

Race Convenor Jan Botha

DG Anton Meerkotter

Race Convenor Jan Botha, DG Anton Meerkotter, Mr Moeketsi Mofokeng(Anglo Coal) and Mr Nico Dhooge (Xstrata Coal) before signing the sponsorship agreement

We look forward to a great race!!!!!!

A Grand Finale for DG Anton and DG Ann Annetjie

Past RI Director Tony Serrano bringing in the SA Flag during the flag ceremony

Steve Hamilton - "I want my Life Back !!!!!"

Rotarian Ramesh Ferris from Canada (a Polio Survicor) explaining the importance of the End Polio campaign

The District conference of Rotary District 9400 which was held at Champagne Sports Resort from the 8th to the 10th of July was a resounding success, and a grand finale to a year during which our own cllub Member Anton Meerkotter presided over the District as District Governor. The conference had a wonderful balance of information, emotion and motivation. It started of on Wednesday when the Rotary Anns delivered more than 2000 educational packs to needy schools in the area


. The conference commenced with a wonderful video message from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, which set the tone of the rest of the conference. Highlights included (but were not limited to) excellent presentations from Kanthan Pillay (CEO of YFM), Steve Hamilton ( on Drug and substance abuse) and Ramesh Ferris on life as a polio survivor, and why it is important that Rotary continues the fight agains polio.

Who is this Justin Bieber lookalike?

The evening functions were well attended, and created wonderful fellowship.



 Well done to PDG Shirley Downie and her team on a successful event.






We wish DGE Martin and Christina well for the next Rotary Year

Rotary International District 9400 DG’s Newsletter - Anton Meerkotter

Mauritius

November started off in Mauritius with the Governors Elect Training Seminar (GETS). This was followed up with the “Reach out to Africa” (ROTA) meetings and some strategic considerations by the current and future leadership of Zone 20A regarding strategic ROTA themes for Africa and strategies to increase membership in the region.

RI Director Tom Brannum called the meetings and it was attended by persons such as RI President Kalyan Banerjee, the RI President Nominee, Ron Burton, Past RI President Raja Saboo and the ROTA Vice Chairman Orscelik Balkan.

It was a wonderful experience in the sense that the Zone 20A leadership had another opportunity to meet and build better friendships and also to discuss progress and problems in the different Districts in the Zone.

We met with our “class mates” including DG Rob Gilligan (D9270), DG Kevin Dersley (D9270) and DG Deon van Zyl (D9350).  It was a highlight to have dignitaries such as PDGs June Webber, Nick Phillips and Sam Owori there. Then we also met the RI Programs Division Manager Sharon Cyr, the staff liaison officer to the Reach Out to Africa Committee from Evanston that arranged the "Rotary Initiative for Africa of the Future" meeting.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaziland
After returning from Mauritius on Monday evening the 7th, the journey continued and Annetjie and I attended to DG visits in Swaziland from the Tuesday morning the 8th. The Swaziland meetings commenced with AG Harry Nxumalo and the Malkerns Valley, Matsapha and Manzini Clubs in Malkerns Valley.

We went to a Manzini project at the A.R.T. Clinic accompanied by AG Harry Nxumalo and President Petros Dlamini.
Then we were taken to the Malkerns Valley Club’s water project by AG Harry Nxumalo, President Harry van den Burgh and Sibusiso Dlamini.
The next day we joined AG Marjorie Balarin at in Mbabane with the Mbabane and Mbabane Mbuluzi Clubs and met at the Mountain Inn.
We visited several projects including the Ezulwini Catholic Primary School where Mbabane sponsors several pupils’ school fees and where they financed the construction of new “long drop” toilets.
We also visited the Mbabane hospital with President Joseph Waring and his team. This was a real eye opener and we saw how the hospital dealt with children with “club foot” problems.

Joseph took us to the SACRO “drop-in centre”, where children study after school, and also to a very interesting children’s home-centre, where children are “adopted” into different houses with “house parents” looking after them.

We learnt about the Sibebe Survivor annual walk and the support Mbabane Mbuluzi gets from the Rotaractors.

The evenings we were fortunate enough to be with PDG Kobla and Koekie Quashie that looked very well after us.

Maputo 

Thursday Annetjie had to return to Middelburg with PDG Kobla Quashie as our daughter, Bernice, was inducted as a prefect at school.

I drove through to Maputo and had an interesting lunch with PDG Maria-Louisa Natividade and some Scout Masters.

Thereafter I met with the Polana, Matola and Maputo Rotary Clubs at the Polana Hotel.

The evening we had a wonderful evening in Maputo which was also attended my one of my “class-mates” D9210 DG Joào Bettencourt and his lovely lady Nella, who was with me in Mauritius earlier the week. This is also the vibrant “young” Polana Club’s President, Henrique’s, dad!

I was hosted by PP Abilio Soeiro from Maputo, a dear friend of President Nelson Mandela.
On Friday, before I left for Middelburg, Mpumalanga, Maria-Louisa took me to some of their water projects at a school in a relatively poor area.

Nelspruit training

The Saturday PDGs Beth Thomas, Shirley Downie, Greg Stathacopoulos, Chris Pretorius and Francis Callard presented a Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) course as well as Foundation, PR and Membership training sessions which was well attended by Rotarians from the Lowveld, Swaziland and Maputo areas. Attendees included PDGs Maria Louisa Natividade, Albie van de Venter and Nick van Zyl. This means eight Past District Governors attended the training which is remarkable. Well done!

Christmas lights project
The same Saturday I helped to sort out some of the electrical issues and name plates of the Christmas lights project in Middelburg.

Vereeniging/Vanderbijl

Tuesday the 15th we visited the Meyerton/Henly-on-Klip, Vereeniging and Three Rivers Clubs.
President Dai Schultze of the Vereeniging Club took us to visit the Sibonile School for the blind which is an amazing and very worthy project. Unfortunately the school were subjected to the theft of the computers from the offices and the computer centre which had been installed recently. They need help. The Anns made beautiful curtains for the dormitories. Another project that makes one realise why we are in Rotary!
At the subsequent meeting we learned from the Meyerton/Henley-on-Klip Club that the Anns can be integrated into the Rotary Club and their Anns form a “Charity and Social Welfare” sub-committee of the Club. The Anns are welcome at all Club meetings and are treated as Honorary Rotarians. Ans that prefer to be Rotarians can join Rotary and be normal active Rotarians and such ladies are also welcome to remain Anns as well. I think this is great!
The Vereeniging lunch was held at Ver-bolt where we were spoiled but PDG Trevor Nienaber and Zurika!

After being hosted by President Pierre Lucouw we met with the Vanderbijl and Riverside Clubs at “Stonehaven on Vaal”. The Riverside Club convinced us to attend a Art Competition prize hand-out on the Monday evening.
We had extremely inspirational meetings with both clubs and were impressed with the exciting projects they do which include taking elderly people to the Rotary Resort at Badplaas once a year, the C4C Art competition, the River Festival, Cycle tour, and at least a further forty projects!
One of the most important lessons to learn from these five clubs on the Vaal is that they know how to work together! Another would be that their projects receive immense recognition within the community by being publicised properly.


PDG Kurt Boström – Sweden D2390
Thursday I was fortunate to meet Kurt in Pretoria at the home of Grant Adams in Silver Lakes.
I understand Kurt and his District have supported many projects in South Africa, Mozambique and Africa in general. He conveyed to me that him and his wife has found that in many countries in Africa ladies sexual organs are mutilated so men can have full control over these ladies. This is considered a Human Rights issue and his District is putting a proposal forward to the Council of Legislation at RI in 2013 that basically comes down to the following: “that the Board of Directors of Rotary International supports activity at every level of the organisation and in cooperation with other international organizations, wherever feasible, to prevent mutilation of sexual organs.”
Kurt asked that I put this forward to our District Exec to support this motion. We discussed this at the PDG Advisory Council meeting on the 26th. The meeting agreed the mutilation of the sexual organs are inhumane and agreed that our representative at the Council of Legislation, PDG Greg Stathacopoulos, may support the proposal at the COL after considering all the facts presented there.

Westonaria/Carletonville/Soweto


That afternoon AG Mgezi Mazibuko and I met with the Carletonville and Westonaria Clubs at the Libanon Recreation Club in Westonaria.
President Raelene du Piesane and Christa Schoeman represented Carletonville and for a relatively small club of mainly ladies, they had an amazing list of projects and an impressive business Information Guide which is one of their main fundraising projects.
President Dinah Coetzer and her Exec Team met with Mgezi and I afterwards. Their projects was clearly based on fellowship and fun and it appeared to work as they had made a significant contribution to the Foundation.
The combined evening function included representatives from the Soweto Club and we had a wonderful evening.
After the evening function Mgezi and I went to visit my son and his family in Randfontein where after we went to Diepkloof in Soweto where we stayed over for the night at the classy “5-star” Mama Lolo’s B&B.
This is where my Soweto experience started. I have been looking forward to this meeting for a long time.
President Lebogang Maletsoe-Ntoane and her Exec Team including Tshidi Leleka and Mapontsho Mopeli did not let us down. The meeting was held at the Soweto Hospice which is a relatively large and very professional Cancer Clinic.
It was an honour to be at the Club and to learn what they have been involved in. The Soweto Club is a club of strategic importance to the District and in fact to Rotary International and it is imperative that all of us are there for them.
The projects they are involved in are immense and a wonderful example to many of us. The main projects we visited included the Hospice where we met, an entrepreneur development centre and the Soweto old age home.

Interact/Rotaract Christmas

Saturday I was back in Middelburg and my son Merlin, Interact President this year, was involved in a Christmas Party with Rotaract and Solidarity for over 300 children from various children homes in Middelburg, including homes for disabled children. They organised “bikers” to give the children a ride and had wheelchair races for disabled, jumping castles and many more activities.

Friendship and New Generations exchanges



October and November were indeed exciting months where District 9400 experienced several friendship exchanges and a New Generations Exchange.


Henry Joughin reported as follows:

• AUSTRALIA - October. This group had an amazing time even though our committee was only involved on the perimeter. It was led by PP Charles Godfrey, ex Bedfordview now in Oz, RC Mooloolaba. This group were hosted by Bedfordview and Pretoria West and they continued onto the Kruger Park, KZN, Newcastle & Dundee, and Cape Town.


• DENMARK - 11 members end October into November. Hosted by Kyalami, Rustenburg, Gaborone and Brits - This group visited a vast array of attractions including Hector Petersen Museum, Rotary projects, Oppenheimer gardens, Mines, walked with the elephants - they were overwhelmed by the hospitality, diverse itinerary, differences of city, town and country and the positive energy from all involved. Rotarians drove the team from Club to Club which made the excursion more personal.

The Swiss “New Generations Exchange” was a first for our District and had several challenges. Here Louis Greeff and Dick Meisel played an important role in facilitating the event.

Louis Greeff reported as follows:
• The team of 11 arrived from Switzerland on Sunday 13th November and was met by myself and two members from the Johannesburg Clubs. They were then transported to Sandton on the Gautrain after they had an opportunity to exchange money and organise local Cell phone connections. In Sandton they were met by a small Bus and transported to a central meeting place where the host families met them and after a briefing session eventually took them home.


• Special thanks need to go to Dick Meisel who arranged for their visits in and around Johannesburg. During the three day stay they visited Soweto, Gold Reef City, the Jhb Stock Exchange, the Refilwe School and several other Rotary Projects where there has been a Swiss connection in the past. The team were also given the opportunity to deliver a presentation to two of the Rotary Clubs that hosted them.


• On Thursday 17th November the team assembled in Bryanston and left in two Combi’s for the Kruger Park. The first evening was spent at the Swadini Rest camp near Hoedspruit where they were allowed to relax after all of the travelling. The next morning after a leisurely breakfast the team departed for the KNP via the Phalaborwa Gate. Two days were spent at the Mopani Camp where the team experienced true African heat. Fortunately there was plenty of game viewing and huge herds of buffalo and elephants were seen. On Sunday the team left for Skukuza and on the way saw the balance of the Big 5. The Leopard sighting was a rare occasion as it was lying in a tree right next to the road. On Monday 21st there was a mad dash to get from Skukuza to the Airport for their onward flight to Port Elizabeth.


• The team are visiting two other Districts in SA as well and it is really hoped that we could put together a combined team for a return visit early next year. They were disappointed that this had not already been organised, but we only found out about it at the very last minute and have not had time yet to put anything together. A return visit would be ideal for any young adults under 25 years old to experience Switzerland and their hospitality.

A big thank you goes to everyone that helped to make the exchanges a success.

Conclusion

During the month we were fortunate to have PDG Charlie Clemmons and Barb here from Texas. A big thank you goes to PDG Shirley Downie and all those that helped to take them to the various book and water projects they were interested in visiting. They also represented the Second Wind Foundation that is behind many book projects in Southern Africa and we will see them again at the District Conference at Champagne Sports Resort in June 2012.
November closed off with interesting and well attended District Finance and Advisory Council meetings on Saturday the 26th and the year-end function at the Rotary Resort on the Sunday.
In the meantime PDG Shirley Downie is also working on other projects such as the Malaria program and RI President Kalyan Banerjee’s visit to our District which is a very special auspicious occasion that will take place in Johannesburg from 11 to 14 December 2011.
Thank you Shirley, we really appreciate this.
And finally, Annetjie and I wish you all a wonderful Christmas period and an inspiring new 2012.

Anton Meerkotter

25th GREATEST TRAIN RACE BREAKS RECORDS

  The 25th annual Rotary Greatest Train Race drew a record number of 20 551official race entrants making the event the largest road running event in South Africa. Just over 14 000 athletes finished the race by cut-off time and it is estimated that close to 40 000 people joined in the festivities at the finish venue.

Jan Botha, convener of the Rotary Greatest Train Race 2011 commented: “The Rotary Greatest Train Race annually sets a new benchmark for community driven projects. The 25th anniversary race exceeded all expectations and was once again a spectacular event! Despite the substantial challenges brought about by the R555 road closure and bridge construction the Race Committee never once backed down in preparation of the 2011 event. Close to 500 volunteers and service providers worked tirelessly for months to stage this world class charity event. The financial and logistical support received from the main sponsors Anglo American, BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa, TRAC N4 and Xstrata SA has enabled us to pour back a substantial amount into community projects in the local communities.”

Mr. Moeketsi Mofokeng, spokesperson for Anglo American commented that the Greatest Train Race has grown to be one of the premier events in Mpumalanga and it is pleasing to know that proceeds from this race go towards making a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate.

“The 25th GTR was an exceptional event where the organisers had to overcome numerous challenges to host it. TRAC was impressed by the spirit, courage and commitment of Rotary and every individual who made this race possible. It was an honor to be part of it. The benefits of the train race should not only be measured in the monetary value of the funds raised for charity, but also in the goodwill and sense of togetherness it has created over the past 25 years. Congratulations!” said Anita Heyl from TRAC.

A total Xstrata workforce of 1040 participated in the event. Our contribution to the 2011 Great Train Race made us proud to be associated with Rotary in its endeavors to assist the most underprivileged members of our communities. As part of enabling and involving the immediate communities in which our mines are located, Xstrata sponsored five schools namely from the townships of Phola, Rietspruit, Umhluzi and KwaGuqa and in total 23 students participated in the race. “The proceeds for the Greatest Train Race are also distributed in the community and we as XCSA are privileged to be part of this annual event. The event creates an avenue for socialising and interacting with our fellow mining houses in the area and we want to thank the organizing committee for their commitment and dedication and making the day such a success”, said Mr Henry Mushonga from Xstrata Coal.

Rotary Greatest Train Race 2011


Overall Prize Winners

Individual Walker Male Overall 01:32:57 Donald Motau Private

Individual Walker Female Overall 01:55:13 Hannalie van Zyl Private

Individual Runner Male Overall 01:22:26 Sibongiseni Skhosana Evraz Highveld

Individual Runner Female Overall 01:40:39 Lilly de Beer Private

Team Running Overall 01:28:06 Ama-Zai-Zai Zaaiman Exploration Drillling

Team Walking Overall 01:49:46 Bank Bank Anglo Coal

Team Running Primary School Overall 02:14:29 Alex Mampana A Alex Mampana Combined School

Team Walking Primary School Overall 02:33:25 Cricket Boys Cambridge Academy

Team Running High School Overall 01:47:10 Running Dudes Cambridge Academy

Team Walking High School Overall 02:25:34 Carry on Walking Cambridge Academy

Rotary Greatest Train Race 2011


Overall Time Results

1 Running (Individual) 01:22:26 7507 Sibongiseni Skhosana Evraz Highveld

2 Running (Team) 01:28:06 2793 Ama-Zai-Zai Zaaiman Exploration Drilling

3 Running (Team) 01:30:38 2338 Movers Anglo Coal Head Office

4 Walking (Individual) 01:32:57 203 Donald Motau Private

5 Running (Team) 01:33:22 2896 Moonwalkers Anglo Coal Landau Colliery

6 Running (Team) 01:34:29 2277 Siyabphambili Anglo Coal Kleinkpje Colliery

7 Running (Individual) 01:34:30 7351 Prince Ndlovu Eskom Kriel Power Station

8 Running (Team) 01:36:09 2573 Medupi Warriors Eskom Medupi Power Station

9 Running (Team) 01:36:59 3090 Boys to Man Optimum Colliery Koornfontein Mines

10 Running (Individual) 01:40:39 7101 Lilly de Beer Private

More pic's to follow........................

Induction with class - 9 July 2011

On 9 July 2011, President Albert Myburgh was inducted as the President of the Middelburg rotary club for the 2011/12 Rotary Year. It was an evening of celebration, music and fun. We celebrated a year of 27 different successful projects under President Charles Deiner, Inducted Ebrahim Patel as a new Rotarian, Awarded Paul Harris Fellowships to Dr Bassa and Dr Tayob for their sterling work in the community through the Bambanani Clinic. In addition a very well deserved Paul Harris Fellowship was awarded to Rotarian Pieter de Wet for his hard work on the Christmas Lights.

The evening concluded with an integrity check on our incoming President by the Special investigating unit of the Hawks and PP Ashrif Latib doing a great job as sergeant at arms collecting money for the Rotary Foundation.

Two new Rotary Ann's, Natasja and Christel were inducted and a certificate was handed to Yvonne Deiner for more than 40 Years of Service to the Anns by President Ann Colleen Deiner, before she inducted Augusta Myburgh as the Ann President. After his induction, Pres. Albert filled PP Gaylene's Rotary Trophy cupboard with only outstanding item, the STIRRER'S SPOON.

A Great Evening!!!!!

Anton Meerkotter, DG 2011/12 District 9400, Southern Africa (Middelburg Rotary)

Message from DG Anton Meerkotter:
Rotary is an international body of vocationally diverse men and women united in the ideal of service.

Rotarians encourage and facilitate international understanding, goodwill and peace.


Rotarians reach out worldwide to help and to empower people and communities in need.
 

7 Middelburg Rotarians supported the induction of our new DG Anton Meerkotter in Gabarone.