The Rotary Club of Uitenhage South recently held a gala evening at which their new president, Riku Muller, was inducted, and awards were made.
Before inducting Riku, the outgoing president Alan Reynolds summed up the successes of his year.
The highest award within Rotary is a Paul Harris Fellowship, and Alan presented this to three members for their outstanding long service to the club, Hemant Nathoo, Mickey Swift and Craig van Heerden. Alan then passed over to Leo Doria to make the highlight presentation of the evening of the Les Swift Award.
This annual award recognises someone from the community who has provided a significant service to the community and whom the club wishes to honour. The award is the club’s most prestigious award, named after the club’s first President, the late Les Swift.
The 2023 Rotary Club of Uitenhage South’s Les Swift Award recipient went to Johan Oosthuizen of Fuel on Wheels.
Johan, through his selfless sacrifice and benevolent endeavours, has made a difference in the lives of many community members. He is a founding member of a non-profit organisation, Fuel on Wheels.
As an organisation and using numerous volunteers, they have raised hundreds of thousands to help the community. This is from the seats of bicycles.
Some examples of their recent activities are: In May this year, they raised money to assist a young girl with expensive essential medication. Earlier this year, he rode the Herald Cycle tour to donate clothing for 100 children of a Kariega school. Last year Johan rode 100km per day for 100 days last year in an event to raise funds for needy people. This is recognised as a world record.
Johan raised thousands of rands for schools in our area by riding around Kariega for six days – 1 800km was done. Achieved a world record for ‘the most high-fives’ with 800 pupils from Daniel Pienaar and riding for 17 hours and 36 minutes without stopping.
