Rotary Club Stellenbosch

01/06/2026

Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.

Official Rotary Fellowships connect people around everything from scuba diving and cycling to wine appreciation, marathon running, railroads, and environmental action.

These groups are open not only to Rotarians but also to their spouses, family members, Rotaractors, and many Rotary and Rotary Foundation program alumni, which means fellowships often become a welcoming bridge into Rotary for people who may not yet belong to a club.

Fellowships help members make lasting friendships outside their own club, district, or country, often starting with a simple shared interest and growing into lifelong relationships. They contribute to Rotary’s public image by showing that Rotary is not only about meetings and projects, but also about joy, curiosity, and community built around what we love.

They also encourage both joining and staying in Rotary: for many members, the chance to connect around a passion—travel, music, a profession, or a sport—is the added spark that keeps Rotary meaningful year after year. This is why many districts emphasize June as a great moment to highlight fellowships as a membership benefit.

You could join any number of Fellowships like Rotarian Monique Labat who is a member of the International Fellowship of Birdwatching Rotarians!

The International Fellowship of Birdwatching Rotarians (IFBR) is a global interest group for members of the Rotary family who share a passion for birding, wildlife conservation, and fellowship.

Our International Fellowship of Birdwatching Rotarians hosts guided field trips, organizes the traditional "BirdWalk" following Rotary International conventions, and runs digital "BirdTalks" via Zoom.

Membership is open to all Rotarians, Rotaractors, alumni, and family members. Dues are highly affordable, starting at $15 for one year.

Members receive The Osprey, a publication featuring birding stories, conservation projects, and travel recaps.

Rotary Africa Magazine

23/05/2026

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful shoppers at Stellenbosch Square for the generous support shown during
Day 1 of our Blanket Drive today.

The spirit of kindness and compassion displayed by the Stellenbosch community was truly inspiring, with so many people stopping to donate towards providing warm blankets for vulnerable community members across greater Stellenbosch during these cold winter months.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in bringing comfort and dignity to those in need.

A sincere word of appreciation must also go to all our dedicated Rotarians and Rotaractors who generously gave up their Saturday to staff the Rotary stand, engage with the public and share the work and values of our Club.

Know that your enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to serve your community embodies the true spirit of Rotary's Service above Self.

Together, we are helping to ensure that many individuals and families in the greater Stellenbosch area will experience warmth, care and hope this winter season.

Rotary Africa Magazine

22/05/2026

Our Blanket Drive is ratcheting up a notch!

Pop into Stellenbosch Square tomorrow Saturday 23rd May and also on Sunday 24th May and say "Hello" to all our Rotarians who are collecting R100 donations for our Blanket Drive.

We have distributed these South African manufactured blankets to many organisations and communities to date.

There is still more to be done - we value and appreciate your support as we raise more funds for more blankets for more communities!

22/05/2026

Our Rotary Club of Stellenbosch recently had the privilege of hosting guest speaker, Jacomien Scannell from Prochorus Community Development at one of our weekly meetings. This was organised by Rotarian Chris van der Leij.

Jacomien shared valuable insight into the inspiring work being undertaken by Prochorus to uplift vulnerable communities across the Western Cape. Jacomien's presentation highlighted the organisation’s commitment to caring for the poor through sustainable community programmes that seek to empower individuals spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Rotarians were particularly inspired to learn more about Prochorus’ impactful crèche initiatives as well as its outstanding bicycle project, which creates opportunities and mobility for young people within local communities.

Jacomien explained how Prochorus partners its projects with local churches to ensure strong volunteer involvement, access to resources and sound management integrity. The organisation is deeply committed to developing communities according to their diverse and specific needs while also encouraging advantaged communities to strengthen their philanthropic involvement and better understand their interdependence with disadvantaged communities.

Through education, skills development and programmes aimed at protecting children and adults from addiction, abuse and criminal activity, Prochorus continues to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of many South Africans.

Jacomien emphasised that the feeding of young children attending the crèches is of paramount importance. Prochorus is fortunate to work alongside The Pebbles Project, which operates a large catering facility that prepares nutritious meals for the children. She explained that proper nutrition is fundamental to early childhood development and learning, particularly in vulnerable communities where many children may otherwise go without balanced meals.

Our Club sincerely thanks Jacomien for an informative and heartfelt presentation that strongly aligns with Rotary’s values of service above self and community upliftment.

Rotary Africa Magazine

20/05/2026

As the cold winter deepens across the Cape Winelands, many vulnerable families continue to face immense hardship following the recent devastating floods. The Rotary Club of Stellenbosch remains committed to bringing warmth, dignity and hope to those most in need.

We were honoured to hand over blankets to Mayor Jeremy Fasser for distribution within the Cloetesville community, and we sincerely thank him for his support and heartfelt message of appreciation. Together, through partnership and compassion, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

This coming weekend, our dedicated Rotarians will once again be out in the community collecting donations for our ongoing Blanket Drive:

📍 Stellenbosch Square Shopping Mall (off the R44)
📅 Saturday 23 May & Sunday 24 May 2026

Every cent raised will go directly towards purchasing proudly South African manufactured blankets for vulnerable community members across the greater Stellenbosch area.

We invite businesses, families, shoppers and the broader community to support this important humanitarian initiative. No contribution is too small. A simple donation can help provide warmth, comfort and dignity to someone facing a very difficult winter.

Please visit our collection point, meet our Rotarians and help us continue spreading hope, one blanket at a time.

Together, we can warm hearts, uplift communities and show the true spirit of Stellenbosch compassion.

16/05/2026

Worthy cause. I hope you get a lot of support.

Support our emergency appeal for animal welfare following the devastating storms. We are collecting dog and cat food for local Animal Welfare Organizations that care for animals in need.🐕🐈🐕🐈🐕🐈🐕🐈
We will be Bayside Mall this Saturday & Sunday and will be accepting all donations towards animal welfare.
Rotaract Club of Blouberg
Rotary District D9350
Rotary Africa Magazine
Rotary International
African Tails
AWS

14/05/2026

Keen to learn more about what Prochorus Community Development undertakes in our greater Stellenbosch area, then Jacomien Scannell's talk at our next Rotary Club of Stellenbosch meeting will appeal!

Simply RSVP to Club Director Jackie Hunter on WhatsApp: 082 574 1289

13/05/2026

As temperatures continue to drop across the Stellenbosch region, the need for warmth and care in our communities is growing every day.

Since last week, our Rotary Club of Stellenbosch has distributed 380 blankets to vulnerable residents across the wider Stellenbosch area — but winter is only beginning.

Our Blanket Drive continues, and we invite the community to help us bring warmth, dignity and hope to those most affected by the cold.

Next weekend, our Rotarians will be shaking tins at Stellenbosch Square on:
📍 Saturday, 23 May 2026
📍 Sunday, 24 May 2026

The blankets we distribute are proudly South African and manufactured in Johannesburg, supporting local industry while helping communities in need.

If you are shopping at Stellenbosch Square, please come and say hello, support our Blanket Drive and help us make a meaningful difference this winter. Every contribution counts.

💛 💙A donation of just R100 helps us provide warmth to someone in need.

📲 Simply scan the QR code on our Blanket Drive flyer to donate instantly.

Together, we can ensure that more families, elderly residents and children stay warm this winter.

02/05/2026

What a great turnout of Stellenbosch Rotarians on Day 2 of our District 9350 Conference in Durbanville, Cape Town.

A privilege to meet Rotary International President’s Personal Representative KP Nagesh, Rotary International Director for 2025-2027 who hails from Bangalore, India.

From giving us a keynote address on the importance of retaining member Rotarians and chartering new Rotary Clubs, new Rotaract Clubs and new Interact Clubs, RI Director KP Nagesh will take part in the 7 day International Wine Fellowship tour of our Cape Winelands!

Standing in front our District 9350’s country flags of Angola, Namibia and South Africa are Rotarians Curt August, Julie Streicher, John Whall, Jennifer van den Dool, Club President Laurence Chambers, Linda Rademan, Francesco Petruccione Rotary International Director KP Nagesh, Assistant Governor Stuart Hunter, Christina Chambers, Lucille Lochner, Anna Fatti and Monique Labat