Rotary conference brings Justice Malala to town

A Rotary District Conference under way in Grahamstown will have TV host and political commentator, Justice Malala as a keynote speaker.

The conference, the annual gathering of Rotarians from District 9370, an area that stretches from Jeffreys Bay to Durban and as far north as Klerksdorp, is taking place at the Monument, with some 400 delegates here for the weekend.

Four local Rotary Clubs from Grahamstown, Kenton and Port Alfred have organised the conference, with planning having started more than a year ago.

Other keynote speakers include renowned wildlife veterinarian, Dr William Fowlds, who will speak today on his ongoing efforts to save rhinos from the scourge of poaching, Lesley Osler, a founding trustee of the Hantam Community Education Trust near Colesberg – a school which has become a leading model for rural and education development, and Professor John Westwood, a banker, academic and strategist who has consulted for multinationals all over the globe.

The theme of the conference is ‘Kindle a spark’. Rotarians will also be addressed by a personal representative of the current Rotary International President, John Germ. Local schools have been invited to send senior pupils to hear the Justice Malala address.

Delegates will enjoy an evening of cabaret and comedy as Ian von Memerty and his dancer wife, Viv, put on the Ian and Viv von Memerty Show in the Guy Butler Auditorium tonight, Friday 26 May. Tickets for the show are also available to the public at a cost of R80 for adults and R40 for scholars.

District 9370 District Governor, Bruce Steele-Gray from the Kenton Rotary Club said, “We’ve had record registrations for this conference, which we attribute to the exciting line-up of speakers and the great venue. The Monument is an ideal conference venue with the great auditorium and the number of breakaway rooms. We’ve provided delegates with accommodation options in Grahamstown and we’re hoping that they’ll get a warm welcome from the townsfolk.”