This Week - Delight Musa Sithole talks to us about Dlala Nje

DlalaNje was established in October 2012 with the aim to challenge perceptions and to create opportunities in Hillbrow.

 Tourism as a vehicle for youth development.

Dlala Nje has achieved this by running inner-city immersions and experiences in some of Joburg’s most misunderstood areas. The walking tours run by Dlala Nje provide one of the most authentic experiences of Hillbrow. The guides are from the area, who immerse visitors into the local community.

These immersions and walks have allowed Dlala Nje to build and run two community centres aimed at providing a safe learning environment for children and youth. Dlala Nje has built a space where kids get the chance to learn, to grow, to be safe, to develop friendships, whilst also being exposed to experiences that develop and challenge their worlds and their own perceptions.

Community Development

Community development is a big part of Dlala Nje therefore participants will be working in their community centres. They currently have an army of volunteers that are compensated for all the work that they previously had been doing without pay. Dlala Nje is on the verge of launching two new centres and this will be a great opportunity for some of their participants to train and work closely with the community development officers and programme managers.

Discover the vibrant heart of Johannesburg with Dlala Nje’s unique inner-city tours and experiences. Explore the city’s most misunderstood areas, and help fund our community initiatives at the base of the iconic Ponte Towers. Our tours directly support two community centres, offering safe spaces for early childhood development and youth engagement in one of the world’s most unequal societies.

Last Week

Robert Fisher gave us a fascinating talk on the fur trade today and how he updates old fashioned fur coats for the present generation.  It was interesting to hear such an indepth presentation about something none of us know anything about.

Next Week

It's the club AGM and our Christmas Lunch on the Saturday.  I think we will have to give up on having it in a private room at a restaurant at this time of year.  I will let you know on Wednesday but in the meantime try and think of alternatives.

International 

The roots of Rotary’s polio eradication efforts

On 29 September 1979, volunteers administered drops of oral polio vaccine to children at a health centre in Guadalupe Viejo, Makati, Philippines. The event in metropolitan Manila was arranged and attended by Rotarians and delegates from the Philippine Ministry of Health.

When James L. Bomar Jr., then RI president, put the first drops of vaccine into a child’s mouth, he ceremonially launched the Philippine poliomyelitis immunisation effort. Rotary’s first Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grant project was underway. 

Bomar and Enrique M. Garcia, the country’s minister of health, had earlier signed an agreement committing Rotary International and the government of the Philippines to a joint multiyear effort to immunise about 6 million children against polio, at a cost of about $760,000.

In a 1993 interview, Bomar reminisced about the trip. He recalled how the brother of one of the children he had immunise tugged on his trouser leg to get his attention and said, “Thank you, thank you, Rotary.

The project’s success led Rotary to make polio eradication a top priority. Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985 and was a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. Through decades of commitment and work by Rotary and our partners, more than 2.5 billion children have received the oral polio vaccine.

This Week - Robert Fischer on Furs

I am just repeating what I wrote last month when Robert's talk was postponed.

 

Since his return to South Africa in 1994, Robert became the driving force and the next generation of the Fischer Furs history. Fischer Furs, is now the new official, name of the business, the name which honours itself to three generations of Specialist Furriers and known to many very satisfied customers, in South Africa and globally as the “absolute best Furriers”.

“I am absolutely honoured and humbled that my family has spent 114 years to date (2024 ). We are known as one of the last specialist Furriers in the world, who have continued for over 114 years to make high end absolute top quality Fur, leather, and cloth garments made to order.

All our garments are mostly hand crafted and made in house from individually ultra top end, selected pelts and hides only exceptionally brilliant enough for our clients. 

Modern fur sourcing emphasises responsibility, with strict standards for animal welfare and sustainability. It is natural to have ethical questions about fur, and today’s fur industry has evolved to address these concerns with rigorous standards. Responsible fur farming practices and sustainable wild harvesting are now core principles of reputable fur suppliers. In many countries, fur farms operate under strict regulations that ensure animals are treated humanely and kept in healthy conditions. For example, farmed mink and fox are raised with oversight of veterinarians and are provided proper food, shelter, and care to minimise stress. Industry certification programs like Furmark have been established to guarantee that any fur entering the market meets stringent criteria for animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and traceability . This means that when you purchase a certified real fur coat, you can be confident it was sourced in accordance with well-defined humane standards – from the rearing of the animal to the dressing of the pelt. Traceability initiatives allow consumers to know the origin of their fur, adding transparency that helps ensure ethical practices throughout the supply chain.

Wild-sourced furs (such as beaver, coyote, or fox from regulated wildlife management) are obtained through tightly controlled programs as well. North America, for instance, abides by the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, which mandates humane trapping methods and supports sustainable wildlife population management . Sustainable fur harvesting in the wild can actually contribute to conservation efforts by preventing overpopulation and habitat damage . Balanced ecology is key – only a portion of natural surpluses are harvested, so species remain abundant. This counters a common misconception that fur use endangers wildlife; in reality, responsible use of fur can go hand-in-hand with wildlife management and biodiversity protection. Moreover, virtually no part of a harvested animal goes to waste: meat may be used (or animals in the wild are part of food chains), and by-products from fur processing can become organic fertilisers or bio fuel , aligning with sustainable use of resources. The fur industry of today is a far cry from the unregulated past – it is a professionally governed sector with ethical codes of practice. By choosing fur from ethical sources, you are supporting those farms and communities that prioritise animal welfare and environmental stewardship. In doing so, you can enjoy the unparalleled luxury of real fur with peace of mind, knowing it was sourced responsibly and with respect for nature.

Last Week

A speaker no-show.  Here's a cartoon to cheer you up.

Next Week

Delight Musa Sithole talks to us about Dlala Nje, an unusual NGO based in Ponte Tower.

International - Canada

When leaders at the Rotary Club of St. Thomas in Ontario noticed a lack of engagement, the club adapted by adjusting its schedule to allow more time for service. The result has been astonishing, with an energised mission and growing interest by prospective members, says Barbara Warnock, immediate past president of the club. “Meeting every week was a
deterrent to new members, and we felt that we needed to have more active participation in local projects,” says Warnock. The club now meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, with the other Wednesdays designated for volunteering at two local organisations: Grace Café, a street mission and soup kitchen, and Harvest Hands, which collects and distributes edible foodstuffs that would ordinarily have been discarded. “Our Rotarians have embraced this work to contribute to feeding those in need,” Warnock says.

• 0

  Seasons of the television series The Voice

This Week Ken Mervis, Director of Mervis Brothers Jewellers talks about the Jewellery Industry today.

 Rather than show a picture of Ken Mervis I thought it better to show examples of his work.

Here are just three examples, a pair of diamond earrings, a ruby and diamond ring and a ruby and rose gold eternity ring.

Last week

It was a business meeting and the two major issues were fixing the date of the AGM, 2nd December and the financial success of the Golf Day.  Now we look forward to our Annual Burns Night in January.

The most important event of last week was Johan Joubert's Induction as a member of our Club at Saturday lunch at Fahrenheit Restaurant , Edenvale.

Congratulations, Johan and welcome to the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon.

Next Week

It's back to Robert Fisher and a talk on the Fur Trade which was postponed at the last minute a few weeks ago.

International - Taiwan

The Rotary Club of Taipei combined its members’ interest in the environment with team building during a daylong outing to the Alibang Eco Farm. “Participants attended informative lectures, explored the wetlands and surrounding forest, and engaged in activities such as harvesting and cooking herbs. We also had the opportunity to taste tea made from ingredients sourced from the wetlands,” says club member Nancy Chen Baldwin. “This day
in nature was not just an educational experience but a journey that activated all five senses.” The October excursion was organised as a prelude to future volunteering at the biodiverse farm, which harbours the endangered Taipei frog.

This Week - Business Meeting

 This Business Meeting is important as our AGM is on Wednesday 3rd December and we have to have key board positions in place for next Rotary Year to be sent to Rotary International by 31st December.

Induction Lunch, Saturday 8th November, Noon at Le Noble in Bedfordview.

Le Noble is where Doppio Zero used to be.  Please make every effort to attend.

We have booked for 20 but have not made that number yet.

Last Week

Our informal dinner at Ottimo Restaurant was well attended and a great success.

Next Week

Ken Mervis of Mervis Brothers Jewellers.  It's a family owned business that was founded in 1935.  Ken will be talking about the jewellery business today and current trends.

International - India

Through a centre in the city of Noida, east of New Delhi, the Rotary clubs have worked with the nongovernmental organisation to train around 120 people affected by leprosy and other
disabilities to qualify to work as cosmetologists and IT professionals.  One of the first students to enrol was Disha Santhosh, 17. She grew up in a leprosy settlement in the Dilshad Garden area of Delhi, one of the largest of its kind in India and home to thousands of people affected by leprosy and their family members. Here most households face persistent financial hardship. Her father was affected by leprosy, but he had long been the sole breadwinner, working tirelessly as a plumber to provide for the family. To meet even basic needs, her father had to take out a loan, deepening the family’s financial crisis. But through the training centre, Santhosh completed certification in cosmetology in March and is now employed, offering a vital lifeline to support herself and her parents.

Though leprosy stubbornly persists, there is hope for prevention. A possible vaccine called LepVax is in development and has shown promising results in preclinical tests against the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria that causes the disease. But until a vaccine materialises, much support is required.

“As Rotarians, committed to service and inclusion, we must come together to raise awareness, support early diagnosis and treatment, and challenge the harmful myths that still surround leprosy. Let us unite to end both the disease and the injustice,” says Patel. “Together, we can restore hope, dignity, and opportunity.”

This Week - Informal Dinner

It's the 5th Wednesday and there will be an informal dinner from 18:00 hrs at Ottimo Restaurant, 13 Nicol Rd., Bedfordview.  It has parking on the property.

Ottimo Restaurant  Here's a link to Google Maps.

So far 13 are coming so I am hoping at least one more will come to take it out of the danger zone.

Ilesh has also added the poll to our Rotary Guest WhatsApp Group so that those who attend our meetings but are not yet members have the opportunity to come....nobody has confirmed from that group yet.

Last Week

Our speaker asked to us to postpone his meeting as his presentation wasn't ready so we had an ad hoc speaker with a presentation on "How Military Requirements created the Food we eat Today".

Next Week

It's a Business Meeting.  What do I say?

Remember, remember!

    The fifth of November,

    The Gunpowder treason and plot;

    I know of no reason

    Why the Gunpowder treason

    Should ever be forgot!

    Guy Fawkes and his companions

    Did the scheme contrive,

    To blow the King and Parliament

    All up alive.

    Threescore barrels, laid below,

    To prove old England's overthrow.

    But, by God's providence, him they catch,

    With a dark lantern, lighting a match!

    A stick and a stake

    For King James's sake!

    If you won't give me one,

    I'll take two,

    The better for me,

    And the worse for you.

International - Argentina

Wearing a Rotary-themed shirt, Estefanía Balocco stands in front of a colourful mural symbolising the joy of service. “This image reflects my best version, filled with authenticity and gratitude,” she says. “It was taken at the end of a service project where every action counts, because serving others is also serving oneself—growing together, from the heart. I’m grateful for every opportunity to contribute and to continue growing as a person.”

I was just 14 when I first discovered the power of service through Rotary. As a member of Interact, a Rotary programme for young people ages 12-18 to learn and apply their service skills, I was shy to speak, but active in action. One Sunday, while visiting a nursing home, a woman asked me for a hug. In that moment, I understood what it meant to be of service: offering presence, listening, and sharing affection. From such a small place, we could be part of something meaningful.

I began my Rotary journey with Interact and then, in 2018, joined Rotaract, a service club for young adults. Fast-forward to today, and I have the honour of leading the International Service committee for one of the districts in Argentina. During the 2024–2025 Rotary year, our team focused on building bridges between communities globally through intentional, human-centred programmes.

One of the most notable initiatives was an international teacher exchange, through which four Argentine teachers travelled to Kansas and Georgia in the United States. They lived with Rotary families and shared their culture with local schools. We are expanding this initiative to include exchanges with Canada, England, and more U.S. districts. We are also preparing to host international teachers in Argentina for the first time.

Building on the success of our educational exchanges, we expanded our efforts to include professional collaborations. We organised professional exchanges for firefighters and paramedics, with meaningful collaborations in Mexico and Poland. Through Rotary Friendship Exchange, twenty-one Rotary members from Argentina and Mexico participated in a program that combined institutional activities, cultural encounters, and tours. One of the most valuable moments was seeing how, by wearing Rotary apparel, other members recognised the participants during the tours, generating spontaneous encounters and new friendships. Along similar lines, we are moving forward with organising future exchanges with Puerto Rico, India, and Brazil.

Leading these efforts is not without challenges, especially in teamwork. But Rotary taught me that strong teams don’t need to be identical—we just need to be committed to our shared purpose. Managing differences is one of the greatest challenges, but also the greatest rewards.

I am fundamentally driven by the belief that organisations like Rotary can be engines for human development. From a very young age, Rotary was the place where I built my identity, not only as a young person but also as a leader. At Interact, I discovered I could be part of change. At RYLA, a multi-day leadership camp for youths,  I found something even deeper: my voice, my skills, and the certainty that service is also a path to self-discovery. That process motivated me to choose a college education in administration and coaching, focusing on people and how to bring out the best in them within organisations.

This Week - Robert Fischer on Furs.

 

Since his return to South Africa in 1994, Robert became the driving force and the next generation of the Fischer Furs history. Fischer Furs, is now the new official, name of the business, the name which honours itself to three generations of Specialist Furriers and known to many very satisfied customers, in South Africa and globally as the “absolute best Furriers”.

“I am absolutely honoured and humbled that my family has spent 114 years to date (2024 ). We are known as one of the last specialist Furriers in the world, who have continued for over 114 years to make high end absolute top quality Fur, leather, and cloth garments made to order.

All our garments are mostly hand crafted and made in house from individually ultra top end, selected pelts and hides only exceptionally brilliant enough for our clients. 

Modern fur sourcing emphasises responsibility, with strict standards for animal welfare and sustainability. It is natural to have ethical questions about fur, and today’s fur industry has evolved to address these concerns with rigorous standards. Responsible fur farming practices and sustainable wild harvesting are now core principles of reputable fur suppliers. In many countries, fur farms operate under strict regulations that ensure animals are treated humanely and kept in healthy conditions. For example, farmed mink and fox are raised with oversight of veterinarians and are provided proper food, shelter, and care to minimise stress. Industry certification programs like Furmark have been established to guarantee that any fur entering the market meets stringent criteria for animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and traceability . This means that when you purchase a certified real fur coat, you can be confident it was sourced in accordance with well-defined humane standards – from the rearing of the animal to the dressing of the pelt. Traceability initiatives allow consumers to know the origin of their fur, adding transparency that helps ensure ethical practices throughout the supply chain.

Wild-sourced furs (such as beaver, coyote, or fox from regulated wildlife management) are obtained through tightly controlled programs as well. North America, for instance, abides by the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, which mandates humane trapping methods and supports sustainable wildlife population management . Sustainable fur harvesting in the wild can actually contribute to conservation efforts by preventing overpopulation and habitat damage . Balanced ecology is key – only a portion of natural surpluses are harvested, so species remain abundant. This counters a common misconception that fur use endangers wildlife; in reality, responsible use of fur can go hand-in-hand with wildlife management and biodiversity protection. Moreover, virtually no part of a harvested animal goes to waste: meat may be used (or animals in the wild are part of food chains), and by-products from fur processing can become organic fertilisers or biofuel , aligning with sustainable use of resources. The fur industry of today is a far cry from the unregulated past – it is a professionally governed sector with ethical codes of practice. By choosing fur from ethical sources, you are supporting those farms and communities that prioritize animal welfare and environmental stewardship. In doing so, you can enjoy the unparalleled luxury of real fur with peace of mind, knowing it was sourced responsibly and with respect for nature.

Last Week

It was our final briefing on Tuesday'a Golf Day.  We will know later how successful it has been.

Next Week

It's the 5th Wednesday and there will be an evening meal.  Ilesh will say where and when and put up a poll on our WhatsApp Group.

International - Italy

 There may be no better way to spotlight (literally!) polio awareness than through the can’t-miss illuminations of global landmarks. Those monuments have included the Sydney Opera House, London’s Houses of Parliament, Rome’s Colosseum, the Egyptian pyramids,
Scottish castles, and more. For World Polio Day 2024, the Rotary and Rotaract clubs in the Pisa area teamed up with community leaders to turn the floodlights on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. “This is a commitment that we wanted to share together precisely to reach a wider audience,” the club presidents noted in a statement. They’ve showcased historic buildings for about 25 years and the city’s signature tower over the past five. The clubs also had a video about polio eradication shown on monitors at the Pisa Airport.

This Week - Final Golf Day Briefing

 

Bill Brunjes will update us on the state of the Golf Day next Tuesday and what needs to be done.

Last Week

Jean-Noell Dollet, the Marketing and Commercial Director for France & International of Le Club des Marques, spoke to us on the history of Armagnac and how it is made.  He also
spoke of the difference between Armagnac and Cognac.  It was an interesting illustrated talk as Armagnac is not well known in  South Africa.

Next Week

Robert Fischer of Fischer Furs will talk to us about furs today.  It should be an interesting  talk on what many would consider to be a controversial subject.

Fischer Furs is one of the last specialist furriers in the world.

International - Canada

The annual Pub N Paint event by the Rotary Club of Edmonton Whyte Avenue raises money each November to fight polio. The Alberta club’s regular meeting venue, the Rooster Kitchen, hosts the event. “I do a little spiel about the state of polio and Rotary’s role in eradication,” says Stan Bissell, a past president of the club who inaugurated the project. It’s not unusual for visitors to remark how little they know about polio, he says. “We talk about it so much in Rotary, but people don’t know and think it’s a disease of the past.” After his presentation, an art teacher distributes blank canvases and brushes, guiding Rotarians and guests in replicating landscapes such as Edmonton’s cityscape and a mountain range. “There are some very talented people” among the club’s members, reports Bissell. “But it’s variable — mine is in the garage.”