The Rotary Club of East London (RCEL) marked a historic milestone on Wednesday April 2, as members and guests gathered at the East London Golf Club to celebrate the club’s 99th charter dinner.
Founded in 1926, RCEL has played a pivotal role in serving the East London community through various humanitarian projects, fostering fellowship, and upholding the values of Rotary International. The evening was a celebration of this enduring legacy, bringing together Rotarians, community leaders, and distinguished guests to reflect on nearly a century of service.
The event featured a keynote address by district governor nominee, Melonie Gobel, who spoke on the value that Rotary has added to the East London community over the past 99 years, and what value it will continue to add.
There were also awards of special recognition conferred on our members, Rino Nepgen (district treasurer) and Craig Thompson (district Interact chair). They received double Paul Harris awards, the highest reward of recognition of members demonstrating the ethos of Rotary. A special Umtiza award was given to Linda Mynhardt, in recognition of her enormous contribution of the graphic design that went into the fundraising cookbook, Secrets of the Rotary Kitchen, the sales of which generated just under R40,000 to fund projects. She saw this as a way of giving back to the community.
Guests enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, fine dining, and a shared commitment to Rotary’s motto: “Service above self”.
As RCEL approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, the club is preparing to mark the occasion with a series of impactful initiatives aimed at strengthening its community outreach, expanding youth development programmes, and increasing support for sustainable projects. Plans are underway for legacy projects that will leave a lasting imprint on East London, reinforcing the club’s commitment to service and innovation.
These include ongoing support for the Buffalo City schools chess initiative, Isethembiso farming initiative, Fort Grey School library container conversion, scholarships to worthy students, to name a few.
RCEL president Angela Church emphasised the club’s forward-thinking approach: “As we look ahead to our centenary, we remain dedicated to evolving with the needs of our community. Our goal is to build on our proud history and ensure that the next century of Rotary in East London is even more impactful.”
Rotary International plays a vital role in building stronger, more resilient communities worldwide. Founded in 1905, Rotary is a global humanitarian organisation that brings together leaders from various professions who are committed to making positive, lasting change in their communities and beyond. With more than 1.2-million members in more than 200 countries, Rotary addresses some of the world’s most pressing challenges through its core areas of focus: peacebuilding, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education, local economic development, and environmental protection.
One of Rotary’s biggest contributions is its ongoing fight to eradicate polio. In partnership with the World Health Organisation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary has helped reduce global polio cases by more than 99%.
Locally, Rotary clubs like RCEL play an equally important role. They initiate and support projects that uplift underprivileged communities, provide bursaries for students, improve public health, and offer disaster relief.
By connecting individuals who are passionate about service, Rotary International empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Its blend of local engagement and global reach makes it a unique and powerful force for good in the world — inspiring future generations to lead with integrity, compassion, and action.
For more info about the Rotary Club of East London and its initiatives, contact public image liaison Pam Way on pam.way@adviceworx.co.za.
