Celebrating 100 Years of Service

Rotary International’s District 9350, which includes over 80 clubs across the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa, Angola, and Namibia, is celebrating a big milestone—100 years of making a real difference in local communities. To kick off this special centenary celebration, they’ve launched an awareness campaign called ‘ACT4IMPACT’.

ACT4IMPACT is a call to action for people of all ages to become community changemakers. The campaign aims to inspire individuals to take action and build a community committed to lasting impact through service.

The campaign kicked off at the Rotary Expo from February 4 – 6, 2025, at the V&A Waterfront, where visitors explored the wide range of community service projects undertaken by Rotary over the years and learned how to engage with the ACT4IMPACT campaign, which brings together passionate individuals to collaborate with local communities for positive change.

Rotary District 9350 Governor Stephen Young says, “At Rotary, we are passionate about service with the goal to inspire others as well. We strive to unite people and organisations committed to making a difference, empowering communities, and building a better future.”

“The need is so vast that it will take all of us working together—even though our part of it may be small—together we can all make a significant impact,” he adds.

However, the campaign is more than just a call to action. It’s supported by tangible examples from Rotary’s community projects that have significantly improved lives, from conducting 100 eye surgeries and establishing 40 food gardens to saving 600 sea turtles, and a training hub that equips 150 community members with skills, to expanding 24 early childhood centres to 40.

Individuals and organisations can draw inspiration from Rotary’s century of impact through mentoring, volunteering, or spearheading projects that make a difference.

“We have been collaborating with the private sector, both locally and globally, to address major community challenges and drive sustainable change. We witness the strength of these partnerships daily in our projects. Rotary offers a unique platform to discover opportunities, spark innovation, and devise solutions that address social issues and create lasting impacts,” Young elaborates.

Rotary tackles the most pressing community challenges across seven service areas: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, and protecting the environment.

Building Healthier, Stronger Communities

In Africa, Rotary provides free eye screenings and glasses to school children and collaborates with NGOs for transformative cataract surgeries.

Fighting Hunger

Rotary has set up over 40 food gardens in the west of South Africa to combat malnutrition, teaching communities effective vertical gardening and entrepreneurial farming techniques.

Supporting Street Children in Luanda, Angola

Rotary supports street children in Luanda, Angola, by offering essentials like clean clothes and food, and educational and skills training opportunities to 500 children every year at Dom Bosco centres.

Environment Conservation and Providing Clean Water

Rotary partners with SANParks to protect biodiversity and teamed up with the Two Oceans Aquarium to rescue 600 turtles. Another project improved water access in Gugulethu by installing new multi-tap points.

Supporting Early Childhood Education

Rotary has improved early childhood education in Langa, Cape Town, by upgrading facilities and integrating technology to assist struggling readers.

Growing Local Economies through Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Facing high unemployment, Rotary promotes economic growth by encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship and leadership, aiming to break the cycle of poverty.

Individuals and organisations are invited to ACT4IMPACT, and to be a part of this journey. Let’s build a better tomorrow together, one ACT at a time! To find out more about how to get involved contact membership@rotary9350.co.za.

“We want to encourage you and your organisation to be part of making a positive impact in your community. We bring people together—from diverse backgrounds—who want to create a lasting impact, build friendships, and grow both personally and professionally. Act today and you will make an impact,” Young concludes.