KNYSNA NEWS - Hearty congratulations go to Knysna's newest and youngest Paul Harris Fellow, Simola du Plessis. 

This award is the highest honour in the Rotary world, named after our founder Paul Harris. It is given for "tangible and significant assistance towards better understanding and friendly relations between peoples of the world".

Simola, a Grade 12 learner, has been the driving force to have the Western Cape Blood Services use her school, Knysna High, as a venue for regular blood donations.

A tragic car accident a year ago led her to believe that timely blood transfusion could have saved lives. 

She motivated her peers at school, staff and parents to donate blood at a blood drive held at the school in July.

Designed posters

She involved herself in the organisation from the beginning; she marketed the idea, designed posters, and collected permission forms from all who were interested.

It was her project! Sixty-five donors arrived to offer their support.

Simola changed a tragic personal experience into something positive for her school and our town.

Last year, she was selected to showcase her artwork at an exhibition at the Irma Stern Museum in Cape Town.

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