After almost half a decade of service and goodwill to the community the Lions Club of Brackenfell is facing demise, due to a lack of interest and dwindling membership numbers.
This, according to a previous two-time club president and Lions veteran Gary Badenhorst.
“The pandemic was not kind to our cause and gave our fund-raising efforts a knock, without which the club cannot continue to do its work. But membership numbers were already dwindling and activities marred by non-participation,” Badenhorst says.
Despite a short-lived revival last year, participation is now at an all time low.
Chartered in 1973 the Lions Club of Brackenfell played a significant role in the build up of the then blooming Brackenfell community.
It has a rich history that boasts many projects over the decades ranging from traditional small-town bingo nights, horse-racing evenings and socials to a big cycling tour.
The then annual cycling tour from Brackenfell to Stellenbosch was sanctioned by the then Western Cape Pedal Power Association and attracted top riders in the community.
“Hundreds of people participated and thousands of rand was raised to be ploughed back into the community by means of among much, food hampers for the needy and assistance to senior citizens. Not to mention the famous Lions Christmas cakes.
“The Lions would always help when anybody form the community reached out. It will be sad to see it all come to an end,” says Badenhorst.
During its golden years the club in 1991 started to build its current clubhouse in Dorrey Street, after having met at the old pigeon hall, where the City’s law enforcement unit for the region is now stationed.
“We actually built it ourselves with our own hands and it took us seven years to do so. We literally had to beg, borrow and steal to make it happen,” he fondly recalls.
“At times we were some forty members strong and being part of the club was like being part of a big family.”
According to Badenhorst the clubhouse, situated on City-owned land, could also be demolished should the club be de-chartered.
“With no use for the clubhouse for community activity it is possible that the City can sell the land off for future development.”
But Badenhorst has hope for the club to rise from the ashes.
“I believe something can still happen to save the club, but it is up to the new generation to do so. To be a Lion is a calling to serve and work in the community and I often wonder if people still have that calling.
“You have to have a deep seated social consciousness to be a Lion. And it sadly seems that there is not a lot of that around anymore. Yet I hope it can stand up out of the dust and for its legacy not to go lost.”
Founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones in the USA, Lions Clubs International is the largest international service organisation in the world, with the common motto, “We Serve”.
Lions Clubs International came to South Africa in 1957, the very first club being chartered the Cape Town Lions Club.
- For more information or to get involved in the Lions Club Brackenfell contact Gary Badenhorst at 072 078 8857.
