It’s Time For Africa

For over three decades, Rotarians and Rotaractors across the globe have committed effort and time in mobilizing and investing resources aimed at eliminating the wild polio virus from the surface of the planet.

While we are not yet where we want to be, we are happy that our beloved Africa is now Polio-Free. This is a remarkable achievement that will serve as a reminder of our role as Rotary in making the world a better place. I celebrate the efforts of our members across the continent alongside all our amazing partners who have walked this journey with us.

Now more than ever, we must be reminded of our call to serve humanity. This is a special year for Rotary in Africa as we celebrate our centennial year of service. Rotary first set its foot in this beautiful region in 1921 with the first club being chartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. Today, we are privileged to have over 50,000 members in both Rotary and Rotaract.

During this period, there has been significant growth of our impact in our communities through amazing community service projects, in our clubs through professional development, expanded networks, and mind-blowing camaraderie, and in international service where our members have served to grow Rotary in the world.

In the year 2003/4, we saw the first African Rotary International President when Jonathan Majiyagbe of the Rotary Club of Kano successfully served under the theme, Rotary Lend a Hand. We came close to a second African President when the exceptional and highly motivated Sam Awori of Rotary Club of Kampala was nominated to serve as the 108th Rotary International President. However, nature had a different plan as he unexpectedly passed on before taking office.

As we celebrate the achievement of polio eradication in Africa, we must reflect on the future of Rotary on the continent. We must take a step back and rethink our place in Rotary and how we can further contribute to its growth. A polio-free Africa should serve as a sign that we can be of greater influence in tackling our societies local problems. We must be creative and innovative enough to grow our footprint. We need to take deliberate and strategic steps aimed at increasing our membership, which will exponentially increase our impact in our communities and help raise the significance of our voice in Rotary.

In recent years, we have seen the establishment of an all-Africa Rotary Zone. What stops us from getting a second one? What stops us from hosting a Rotary International Convention?

During his presidential nomination, the late Sam Awori said: “Rotary has become a way of life for me with intrinsic value and core belief in mutual responsibility and concern for one another as a cornerstone. I feel immense satisfaction knowing that through Rotary, I have helped someone live better”.

This is a feeling that we all share and a more important reason to invite new members to this auspicious organization. It is time to reach one and bring one. It’s time for Africa.