High praise for Knysna Rotarians

KNYSNA NEWS - Two Knysna Rotarians have been rewarded for going the extra mile with their welfare work over the years, with the Knysna Rotary Club handing over the Paul Harris Award to the pair on 19 November.

Jackie Weaver and Jeff Clause received this award that recognises outstanding contributions in placing "service above self" – one of the highest accolades that Rotary can bestow.

Weaver is the chairman of Masithandane, a facility in Sedgefield that has been running since 2006. The organisation's mission is "to serve the community where it is needed most, especially those infected with and affected by HIV/Aids and TB". Its influence stretches from Sedgefield through to Karatara, Fairview and Farleigh, and it pays particular attention to widows, the elderly, vulnerable children and orphans, and the destitute. The NPO focuses on many different interventions – emergency nursing, home-based care, food security, health and safety, health-care training, job creation and skills development, and early childhood development.

Clause grew up in a Rotary environment: his father was a Rotarian of long standing in Jefferson, Iowa in the USA and a past president. Jeff has always subscribed to the ideals of Rotary and for 20 years he has provided invaluable support to the running of the Knysna Rotary Charity Golf Tournament Weekend. His generous assistance has enabled this annual event to grow and develop into its current successful format and it is now a significant source of revenue for Rotary Knysna, enabling the club to support various outreach projects.

Knysna Rotary president Julie Staub with Jackie Weaver, chair of the Masithandane board, and Rotarian Lesley Satchel.