BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HARARE
The Rotary Club of Harare, Zimbabwe which was chartered in 1930,
was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Johannesburg, South Africa
as one of the first Rotary Clubs in Africa outside the Union of
South Africa. At that time the country was called Rhodesia after
Cecil Rhodes who had an ambition to build a railway line from
Cape to Cairo and to develop the hinterland economically. With
the coming of Independence from Britain in 1980, the country's
name changed to Zimbabwe and a few years later, the capital
city's name was changed from Salisbury to Harare. The city
remains the capital and economic hub of Zimbabwe. The
International Directory lists six Rotary Clubs in Harare.
Up to June 1997 the country formed part of Rotary International
District 9250 but at present is one of the four countries of
District 9210.Previously the Kingdom of Swaziland and the
northern and eastern parts of the then province of Transvaal in
South Africa were part of the District.
Now the District encompasses Malawi, Zambia and the northern
half of Mozambique in addition to the whole of Zimbabwe. This
covers a large area of sub-equatorial Africa. So the District
Governor annually has a daunting task to visit all the Clubs in
this large District.
At the time of redistricting there was disappointment at not
being able to meet annually close Rotarian friends from
Swaziland and South Africa at future assemblies and conferences.
However it has created opportunities for further friendships
with Rotarians in less developed neighbouring countries in
Southern Africa and provided almost unlimited opportunities for
service.
Like the club which sponsored the formation of RC of Harare more
than seven decades ago, the Johannesburg Rotary Club, the first
on the African continent, the average age of membership
continues to be the highest in R I District 9210. Because of
this, the club has a goodly number of members now in retirement,
so steps continue to be taken to induct younger members. The
weekly luncheon attendance by the 70s plus age group, however,
remains regular. Their wise counsel on the service committees
particularly, based on their experience with major projects many
initiated by them in earlier days, is much appreciated and where
possible these 'old timers' continue to support the ongoing
ones. Membership in general of course realizes that there is the
continuous need for an inflow of new younger members to maintain
the dynamism for which the club is so well known.
The RC of Harare boasts of having provided no less than seven
District Governors. Membership is largely drawn from amongst the
ranks of business and professional leaders within the city,
individuals who have over the decades made significant
contribution towards the development of Zimbabwe.
Notable among past and present major projects of the club (many
continuous and some with the cooperation and input by other
service clubs including Lions and Round Table among others) are:
- The Children's Home
- Fairways Home for the Aged
- Athol Evans Hospital Home
Bumhudzo Home and Hospital for Aged Destitutes (the club's
50th year Anniversary Project) Braille Library (serving the
whole country with financial assistance from Rotary Clubs
abroad) Providing guidance for school leavers to choose a career
Upgrading of rural water wells and installation of naturally
ventilated pit latrines, a major project that has and continues
to attract support from Rotary Clubs in USA, United Kingdom,
Canada, Sweden, Holland and Spain
A focus of Rotary worldwide, one that the RC of Harare strongly
supports, has for decades been on youth development. In this
regard RC of Harare Club spearheaded the introduction of
Interact Clubs in the District and is presently overseeing no
less than six active Interact Clubs at schools within Harare.
Although and because of the club's age, it can claim many more
past major projects, at the same time members are mindful of the
extensive projects being undertaken by other Rotary Clubs in
Zimbabwe and in the other three countries of RI District 9210,
in fields such as medical service provision and the undertaking
of surgical operations by local and overseas Rotarians,
particularly in dentistry and improving eyesight in remote rural
areas. In this connection and where possible, the RC of Harare
supports service initiatives by those other clubs.
Current president is Jefta Mugweni. but one of the younger
members Immanuel Banza, who joined the club in September 1998
was President in Rotary's centenary year, which was also the
seventy-fifth anniversary of the RC of Harare.
This account was prepared by past president (1994-95) Danny
Meyer of the Rotary Club of Harare, for the author of the
'History of Rotary' book, which was published to coincide with
the centenary year of Rotary. Members of the club are
acknowledged and thanked for their input. Danny Meyer, Harare,
Zimbabwe
Posted by Historian
Basil Lewis 5
November 2005
