Goodbye Carol, Hello Linda

Coming up this week is Carol Stier's last meeting as president, bringing to an end an eventful and very successful year. Carol had hardly become a member before she was pressed into active service in the club, serving first as secretary and then as president.
     She sets a fine example of active Rotary service, seeing the movement as a social and fellowship organisation as well as one that creates opportunities for networking amongst fellow members, both to further business interests and the interests of the community.

Amina Frense, Lucille Blumberg and Frayne Mathijs with the brothers Vink. Nick is the one second from the left

     A feature of the last few years has been the many, varied and interesting speakers we've had and last week was no exception.
     I have to declare and interest here, of course, as the speaker was none other than Professor Nick Vink, my twin brother from the agricultural economics department at the University of Stellenbosch. Nick is also a board member of the SA Reserve Bank and of Rooibos Ltd.

Linn Jarte was at the meeting last week and will be the speaker on Wednesday

     The speaker next week (hopefully) is also a family connection of sorts. She is Dr Linn Jarte, whose father is married to the sister of my older brother's ex-wife. Work that one out.
     Linn was to have spoken on Wednesday, but has asked us to postpone it for a week as she will be away for work purposes. In case you thought it was difficult for her to decide between Rotary and work, she's going to Londolozi!

Father-to-be (a daughter) John Vink came to listen to his uncle speak. Next to him is prospective member Frank Odenthal

     Nick Vink spoke to the club about the changing face of the South African wine industry and how it compares both historically and contemporarily with similar industries in other parts of the (wine) world.
     He said the industry had gone through three boom periods since the 1600s, the last of which has just ended and where all three boom periods had been followed by a decline in overall quality. He named the three most popular wine brands in the country, all obscure names to anybody appreciating even moderately good wine.

Fresh from his Discon in the Kruger National Park, DG Jankees Sligcher
joined the meeting

     Another feature of the meetings this past year has been the great turnout of members and guests week after week. We regularly have to carry in extra chairs to fit everybody around the table, which creates a buzz of excitement about the meetings.
     It looks like the same pattern will be followed on Friday night with the annual induction party, as almost 60 people have already accepted.

Captains all. Jankees Sligcher has been president of the club twice already, while Ian and Julian wait in the wings

     This shows a healthy interest in the club management, which is set to continue in a positive way with Linda Vink's upcoming presidency. Paul Kasango has agreed to follow her as president and Ian Widdop will take up the reins after Paul.
     The club has some celebrating to do with the 10th birthday coming up in January next year!
     Please don't forget to pay for Friday evening if you haven't yet done so. Electronic transfers will make things much easier so that I don't have to handle so much cash on the night.
     Remember that there will be wine on the tables, but that all other drinks will be from the cash bar.
     A Thought for the Week: All empty souls tend towards extreme opinions. - William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)