Uniting people from all continents and cultures and taking action to deliver real, long-term solutions to some of the world’s most persistent issues, is the cornerstone of what this global network is all about. 2021 sees Rotary International celebrate 100 years in Africa – a century of doing good and facilitating impactful socio-economic change on the continent.
Rotary International has been instrumental in ending Polio in Africa while promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, growing local economies, providing maternal and child support, supporting the environment, and facilitating disaster response.
Their 1.2 million members take action to create lasting change, pouring their passion and integrity into completing projects that have a lasting impact. In fact, according to a special report prepared by the USA’s Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, the value of Rotary member volunteer hours is estimated to amount to $850 million annually.
This year’s Zone 22 Rotary Africa Centennial International Conference is taking place on the 24 and 25 April and will see delegates from around the world gather online to hear from and network with leading visionaries, pioneers, leaders and icons. These include the likes of Kenyan designer and eco-innovator Anyango Mpinga who has taken inspiration from her culture and childhood in Nairobi and whose circular fashion now features at leading fashion weeks across the globe including Tokyo and Paris. Another keynote speaker is Dr Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee who was last year named as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, in honour of his work toward eradicating polio in Africa. Also appearing on the esteemed conference programme is Anne Githuku-Shongwe, the Representative for UN Women’s South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), which is responsible for women’s empowerment and gender equality in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia and South Africa.
Running parallel to this year’s Conference is a virtual exhibition where organisations are invited to showcase their CSI initiative to this captive global audience of potential donors and funders.
Because real-life humanitarian service happens when business and professional leaders partner for good, this African House of Friendship Virtual Projects Fair will unpack the latest trends, challenges and innovations in the local and international socio-economic, impact investing and volunteering space.
Taking place from the 23-25 April, this is an opportunity for organisations in Africa to gain exposure and explore new collaborations and business opportunities to a network of Rotary International delegates.
“In commemorating 100 years in Africa, we celebrate a global network of passionate and dedicated problem-solvers who take action to create lasting change. Rotary Internatonal invites innovative companies, those with ground-breaking products, and individuals whose services and solutions have the potential to move the continent forward, to join our virtual exhibition in April,” says District Governor Annemarie Mostert, Chairperson of the 2021 African Centennial Celebrations.
Bookings to secure exhibition space at the Rotary International Virtual House of Friendship are now open at https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1505366838.
This is an opportunity to connect virtually with Rotarians, business leaders, NPOs, civil society organisations and foundations and to play your part in moving Africa forward.
“Together let’s make the next 100 years of Rotary International’s efforts in Africa even more impactful,” Mostert says.
“African Brand Architects, a South African based turnkey Marketing Agency with an all-African women’s corporate team, has come on board as the Anchor Sponsor for The Zone 22 Rotary Africa Centennial International Conference. One of the directors, Shereen Hunter, is an Alumni Member of Rotary District 9400. “We have aligned with Rotary International in this significant event in Africa because our vision for the short, medium and long-term align with Rotary’s vision. We at African Brand Architects share a passion for all things African – we want to see African potential materialised and African networks and businesses prosper into the future,” she says.
African Brand Architects designs, plans and develops integrated Marketing strategies, with tangible tactics to grow brands across Africa.”
