Blankets galore!

 

The 2025/26 Rotary year has been one of steady growth, deepened partnerships,
and meaningful impact for the Rotary Club of Paarl. Guided by Rotary International’s
theme, Unite for Good, the club strengthened its commitment to service, fellowship,
and leadership across the Drakenstein Valley. Across four quarters of consistent
effort, our members demonstrated what is possible when a community of volunteers
aligns purpose with action.
At the heart of our year was a clear recognition: Paarl and the broader Winelands
region are evolving rapidly, and with that evolution comes increasing social need and
opportunity. Rotary continues to be trusted as a partner of choice in addressing
these challenges through practical, collaborative, and sustainable solutions.

Healthcare remained one of the club’s strongest and most consistent areas of focus.
The Spectacles for Children Programme expanded significantly, reaching multiple
schools including Charleston Hill, Hillcrest, Imboniselo, and Simondium Primary
Schools. Over the course of the year, hundreds of learners were screened, with
more than 100 receiving spectacles. For many children, this intervention directly
improved classroom participation, learning outcomes, and confidence.
The Cataract Surgery Initiative developed into one of the club’s most impactful
medical interventions. In partnership with Paarl Hospital and local healthcare
professionals, sight-restoring operations were delivered to vulnerable patients who
would otherwise have remained untreated. The programme demonstrated not only
the life-changing effect of restoring vision, but also Rotary’s ability to facilitate cost-
effective, scalable healthcare solutions. Work is ongoing to refine the model and
position it for a potential Global Grant.
The Cervical Cancer Awareness and Vaccination Initiative also gained momentum,
with strong collaboration from local health authorities and private schools. The
programme is now transitioning into broader awareness, screening exploration, and
long-term preventative healthcare engagement, aligning closely with Rotary
International’s global health priorities.

Youth development remained a defining pillar of the year. The club celebrated
significant growth in both Interact and Rotaract. The Charleston Hill Interact Club
was successfully chartered, while Paarl Gimnasium progressed toward establishing
a new club. These developments reflect increasing youth engagement across the
valley.
The chartering of the club’s first Rotaract Club marked a major milestone. The
Rotaract group quickly became active in service, launching initiatives such as
clothing drives, environmental clean-ups, and fundraising projects, including a

Valentine’s Day cookie sale. Their early momentum signals a strong leadership
pipeline for the future.
Youth programmes including RYLA, Adventure into Citizenship, STEP Exchange,
and Interact Fun Days continued to provide valuable platforms for leadership
development, civic awareness, and international exchange. Guest speakers and
experiential learning opportunities further enriched these programmes, strengthening
the culture of service among young people.

Community service projects formed the backbone of the club’s work throughout the
year. The annual blanket drive stood out as a flagship initiative, distributing nearly
1,000 blankets across the region in partnership with McCarthy Toyota Paarl and
Creatory. Contributions from schools, churches, Interact clubs, and the public
reinforced the power of collective action.
In addition, the club supported a wide range of initiatives addressing diverse
community needs. These included food and toiletry distributions at Rusthof, clothing
donations through NORSA, support for the Association for Persons with Physical
Disabilities, and book donations to LEAP Science and Maths Schools. Further
support was provided to education and sports initiatives, including cricket
development at Wellington Primary School.
The club also participated in broader community upliftment efforts such as the
Afrikaans 100 celebrations at the Paarl Monument, youth prize-giving events, and
park-based charity drives. A number of projects focused on dignity-based service,
including footwear donations through Samaritan’s Feet and community nutrition
support via Outside the Bowl.
Environmental engagement was strengthened through the Mbeko Eco Club and
WET Wednesdays programme, which became the only African project registered
under Rotary International’s Community Action for Fresh Water partnership with the
United Nations Environment Programme. A successful Paarl Mountain conservation
excursion further reinforced environmental education and collaboration.

Fundraising activities remained strong and ensured financial stability for the club’s
initiatives. The Rhodes Quality Winelands Cycle Race was a major highlight,
delivering both significant fundraising outcomes and excellent public visibility. The
event demonstrated the club’s organisational capacity and the strength of its
partnership with Rhodes Quality.
The annual Wine Auction continued to be a cornerstone fundraising event, supported
by strong community participation and professional execution. These flagship events
remain critical in sustaining and expanding the club’s service capacity.

Partnership development was a major strategic focus throughout the year.
Engagements with the Drakenstein Municipality, local business chambers,
healthcare providers, NGOs, and Rotary Foundation stakeholders resulted in
tangible collaboration outcomes, including disaster relief funding for flood-affected
communities in Mbekweni.
Public image and communication also improved significantly. The club strengthened
its digital presence through social media storytelling, project visibility, and the
introduction of a Friends of Rotary WhatsApp channel. Notably, the W4AL video
achieved international recognition as a Top 10 finalist in the Power for Goodness
competition, highlighting the global relevance of local Rotary action.

Fellowship remained a defining strength of the Rotary Club of Paarl. Regular social
events, Vaatjie evenings, project visits, wine tastings, club raids, and inter-club
collaborations strengthened relationships and reinforced a strong sense of
belonging.
New initiatives such as the Wine Appreciation Fellowship further enriched club
culture, providing informal spaces for connection, engagement, and donor
interaction. Fellowship continues to be the “glue” that binds members together and
sustains long-term service commitment.
As the 2025/26 Rotary year concludes, the Rotary Club of Paarl does so with
gratitude and pride. Across healthcare, youth development, community service,
environmental initiatives, fundraising, and fellowship, the club has demonstrated
consistent impact and meaningful progress.
We extend sincere appreciation to all members, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and
friends who contributed their time, resources, and energy throughout the year. Your
commitment has enabled real change in our communities.
While the needs in our region remain significant, so too does our collective capacity
to respond. The foundation built this year positions the club strongly for continued
growth and impact in the years ahead.
Together, we remain: ROCKSOLID and UNITED FOR GOOD. - Pierre Botha