Welcome to our first blog post of 2025! A brand-new year brings fresh opportunities, renewed enthusiasm, and, of course, more moments to celebrate the spirit of Rotary. On the 12th of February, the Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn gathered once again, kicking off the year with energy and purpose.
Judy Symons opened the meeting with a thoughtful reflection, inspired by the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year—”kindness”—which stands in stark contrast to the adult choice, “brain rot.” She spoke on the significance of individuality, the courage to go against the grain, and the impact of those who lead by example. She also highlighted the contributions of Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers; Carolyn Steyn, the visionary behind 67 Blankets for Mandela Day; and James Delaney, who played a pivotal role in revitalizing The Wilds. These unsung heroes embody the motto “I can and I will”—perhaps a guiding phrase that all members can adopt as “We can and we will.”
Helene Bramwell introduced our esteemed speaker, Reg Pakari, the founder of Signs of Positivity, which is a registered NPC.
A graphic designer by profession, Reg and his wife, an occupational therapist and teacher, recognized a crucial gap in society—the need for uplifting messages in everyday spaces.
Their initiative places signs with motivational slogans in schools, inspiring children who may lack support structures. Some of these messages include “Never give up without a fight,” “You are stronger than you think,” and “Everything begins with an idea.”
The project has even expanded to include translations in isiXhosa, making the messages more accessible to South African communities. Reg emphasized the power of small steps in shifting societal mindsets and called for corporate sponsorships to help Signs of Positivity reach even more schools.
Helene proposed that RCJND should consider placing a sign to highlight Rotary’s values and mission. Ian Widdop thanked Reg, reminding us all of the importance of kindness and paying it forward.
The meeting was also graced by other special guests, including District Governor Nominee Grace Van Zyl, Melanie Taddeo and Susie Sibanda. Rotarian Melanie Taddeo, visiting from Canada, was introduced by DGN Grace Van Zyl. Melanie is a dedicated advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), founded Gaining Vision 2020 to bring her work to a global stage. Linda expressed hope that Melanie might return as a guest speaker at a future meeting.
To end of our meeting, Lucille Blumberg led the brag collection, adding a lively close to the meeting before we concluded, as always, with the Four-Way Test at 8:10 AM. As we continue into 2025, we look forward to more impactful meetings, meaningful projects, and connections that extend beyond borders. Let this year be one of service, growth, and shared purpose.
To close on an inspiring note, let’s remember the words of Helen Keller: “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” Here’s to another year of making a difference, together!