After a two year hiatus, the ROTARY K2C Cycle Tour finally got underway, affording cyclists the opportunity to participate in a unique and select riding experience through some of the most renown private game reserves bordering on the Kruger National Park. The route is 100km and starts at the edge of the Kruger National Park (near Orpen Gate), heading off through the Timbavati, Thornybush and Kapama Private Game Reserves and then crossing the R40 continuing into the Blue Canyon Conservancy. All the reserves and conservancies traversed are Big 5 domains with phenomenal scenic vistas. Riders experienced sightings of plains game, buffalo and a herd of elephants. Main roads are easily crossed with the help of senior Rotarians with the invaluable assistance of both Farm and Town Watch members ably assisted by the Hoedspruit Traffic police.
The invaluable effort in the raising of funds from this venture, allowed the Hoedspruit Rotary Club to host an awards evening on the 9th September at the Fig and Bean Restaurant. The evening was well attended with the initial offering of a welcome drink and snacks. By the Fig and Bean. Very ably co-ordinated and managed by a committee of Rotarians including the President, Wilana Manderson, the evening turned out to be a great success.
The awards evening is hosted by the Club to pay tribute and thanks to all those people that made the Tour possible, and to distribute proceeds to the deserving partners in the event, without whom the event could not have taken place. The gathering was about projects and the sponsorship obtained leads to the disbursement of funds to those that made the ROTARY K2C Cycle Tour a reality.
Wilana addressed the gathering, and paid tribute to Wendy van Schoor, “who has given so much of her time to the event over the years” Thanks were also given to Paul White for doing a 1000 jobs with consistent drive to make things happen. That effort saw the Rotary President award him with the ‘Rotarian of the Year’ award.
Thanks and awards were paid out to the following:
Blue Canyon Private Nature Reserve, Kapama Private Nature Reserve, Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, and the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve – each being awarded R 25 000. Farm Watch and Town Watch were awarded R 15 000 and R 10 000 respectively. A further R 5 000 was awarded to the Timbavati Foundation and Jahara, and R 3 000 to Debbie Thomson for all her welcome efforts in making sure it all came together. As the main sponsor BUCO, represented by Bertus Myburgh, received a framed ‘event shirt’ that was gratefully accepted.
Further thanks were given to Haenertsburg Rotary Club, Hlokomela, Polokwane Rotay Club and the Mayor’s office, although he was not present.
Rotary is a world-wide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities. It offers individuals the chance to apply personal experience and professional skills to solve these challenges and create positive change. Rotary boasts over 1.2 million members in more than 34 000 clubs worldwide in over 200 nations and geographical regions.
We can be proud of, and thankful to our Hoedspruit Rotarians for the work that they do within our community.
