The Rotary Club of East London (RCEL) marked a historic milestone on Wednesday, 2 April, 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 celebrated 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 about the value Rotary has added to the East London community over the past 99 years and the positive impact it will continue to make moving forward. Special awards of recognition were presented to members Rino Nepgen (District Treasurer) and Craig Thompson (District Interact Chair), who both received double Paul Harris Awards—the highest honor recognizing members that exemplify the ethos of Rotary. Additionally, a special Umtiza Award was conferred on Linda Mynhardt in recognition of her significant contribution to the graphic design of the fundraiser cookbook, “Secrets of the Rotary Kitchen”. The sales of the cookbook generated nearly R40,000 to fund RCEL’s community projects. Linda viewed this contribution as her 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 a series of impactful initiatives aimed at enhancing its community outreach, expanding youth development programmes, and increasing support for sustainable projects. Plans are already underway for legacy projects designed to leave a lasting imprint on East London and reinforce the club’s commitment to service and innovation. These plans include ongoing support for the Buffalo City Schools Chess initiative, the Isethembiso Farming Project, the Fort Grey School Library Container Conversion, scholarships for deserving students, and more.
RCEL President Angela Church emphasized 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.”
For more info about the Rotary Club of East London and its initiatives, contact Pam Way, Public Image Liaison, at pam.way@adviceworx.co.za.
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