Growth

Bushveld ARTSA 2023 – A Weekend of Camaraderie, Competition, and Celebration

May 16, 2023 by Gauteng PRO

Hark, fellow knights of the Round Table! Let me regale you with the tale of our recent adventure at Weesgerus in Modimolle for the annual ARTSA conference. From April 27 to April 30, 2023, Round Table Southern Africa assembled for this grand event, and the weather was on our side the entire weekend!

Upon arriving on Thursday, I received numerous pep talks and motivational speeches that fired me up with enthusiasm, and I got the tent setup. What a sight it was to behold! Round Table Gauteng Area camped at the bottom of the resort, forming a little make-shift village. Middelburg 126 also joined us for this splendid occasion.

That evening, we made our way to the hardcore hut for a wild gathering with other tablers. The “Boer and Hoer” party was in full swing, and we were having a blast. Hanno was doing body shots off a slightly large gentleman at the bar, and his outrageous antics had everyone within a 2 metre radius running for the hills. But no matter, as we continued to revel in the festivities!

Thursday evening was the opening of ARTSA 2023, hosted by Round Table Bushveld Area. Our president Werner Swanepoel took to the stage to welcome us to the greatest event of the year, and we danced and mingled with both new and old friends. As the night drew to a close, we retired to our campsite, eagerly anticipating the big day to come.

Friday morning came all too soon, but we were ready and raring to go. We headed to the forums for heavy discussions on the age rule, budgets, and new aims and objectives being added. We heard many tablers speak out against the age rule, but no one dared to advocate for it. Nevertheless, the discussions were lively and filled with valuable insights.

After a brief 30-minute break and a quick swim, we headed to the hardcore hut to set up for the Area Food Table Competition. Last year, Round Table Gauteng had performed poorly, so this year we were determined to make a comeback. We were organised and efficient, and all the gents and their partners from RTGA pitched in to do their part. We blew the judges away with our delicate starters, brutal mains, and soft, fluffy dessert.

As the evening wore on, we visited the other food tables, and the competition was fierce. We were left second-guessing our efforts, but we soldiered on. We returned to the hardcore hut for round 4, then hit the sack to prepare for the BIG day.

Saturday morning arrived, and it was time for the AGM. Dressed to the nines, we descended upon the conference hall, ready to vote. There were no more discussions to be had; it was time to make our voices heard. RTSA voted in spectacular fashion, and minds were blown. It was a close run, but the motion never passed. After casting our votes, we headed to the pools to relax and unwind.

That evening, we gathered one final time for the Presidential Gala dinner. The ladies looked stunning, and the gents didn’t look too shabby either. We celebrated our achievements over the past year and bid farewell to the outgoing and incoming chairman and councils. Round Table Gauteng won the food table trophy, breaking a curse that had lasted for over 11 years. The pride had been restored!

We thank Round Table Bushveld Area for being such amazing hosts, and we thank Round Table Southern Africa for arranging such a great weekend where we can connect, share ideas and catchup with old & new friends.

If you are a tabler, be proud and walk with your head held high. You are one in 700 out of 59 million people who gets the privilege to wear the Rondel.

Let your pride be infectious!

Yours in Table,

Wesley de Kock

Round Table Gauteng PRO

Filling hearts with happiness

May 16, 2023March 11, 2023 by Gauteng PRO

On a warm Saturday morning in Boksburg North, Centenery Hall Eeufees Saal was abuzz with activity as tablers from Boksburg 17, Edenvale 63, Golden East 181, and Jukskei 217 gathered to bring joy to 200+ children. Our mission was clear: to fill their little hearts with happiness.

As is customary, we started off with a chow to boost our blood sugar levels, and split into small teams to prepare food, sort gifts, and inflate the jumping castle. We even lowered a small human through a window to provide electricity for the party.

The entertainment kicked off with Chris from Miles of Smiles stilt walking and juggling, and the kids were amazed. They quickly formed a line to get inflatable animals made. The Ice Cream truck arrived shortly after, and the kids and parents swarmed it.

Next up was a magician who wowed the kids with his tricks, while they enjoyed their lunch. Rysky then led the gift ceremony, where we distributed over 150 bags of stationery sponsored by Manitou South Africa and PEP South Africa.

It was a morning well spent, doing good for others who may never experience the true joy of Christmas. We thank all the tables and sponsors who contributed to making this day amazing. As Henry Ward Beecher once said, “In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich.”

Yours in Tabling,

Wes de Kock
RTGA IRO/PRO

Wes de Kock

RTGA IRO/PRO

Middelburg 126 Raid

May 16, 2023March 11, 2023 by Gauteng PRO

Hi.

My name is Richardt Rautenbach, Round table Boksburg 17 guest.

On Thursday the 24th of November I was given the opportunity to join in on Round Table Middelburg’s Business Meeting.

Cuan Maizey, Wez De Kock and I took on the rather grueling 140km trip together.

I am happy to say that this was my 2nd official meeting in Total and I am pleased to say that the gents from Middleburg, chairman Gavin “Jaja” Geldenhuys and his fellow tablers, were hospitable and accommodating.

Upon arrival at the meeting I was welcomed in like an old friend. I was educated on the way the Men from Middelburg go about their meetings and proceedings. They politely reminded me of the dress code and my bedside manners. 😁

The evening was a perfect blend of orderly conduct and light-hearted banter. Well-orchestrated and handled by Gavin “JaJa” despite the 3 of us with our best efforts to delay and disrupt the nights schedule.

My regards go to the Sergeant for giving us our just deserts. Needless to say, Tuna, Tabasco and Zappa don’t pair well but it was most reasonable Mr. Sarge.

I wholeheartedly encourage all members of the RTSA & RTI who are considering making the rather lengthy trip to Middelburg to definitely pay a visit to the Middleburg Tablers and join one of their meetings.

A 10 out 10 experience that I fully encourage all young gentlemen to experience.

Thank u and Stay Strong.💪🏼

Spur’s 55th Birthday kids party

May 16, 2023December 20, 2022 by Gauteng PRO

Round Table Sandown 150

Spur recently celebrated their 55th Birthday, and how they celebrate their birthday every year is by inviting 20-30 kids from a charity or orphanage home to have a free meal and a drink at one of their restaurants. Golden Spear Spur Cresta then made contact with Round Table Sandown 150 in order to host a charity and celebrate the day with the community.

The Charity that was selected was One Small Act of Kindness (OSAOK). After our discussion with Spur, we immediately made contact with Kelly from OSAOK to find out if they would be interested and if it was something they would be able to do, being a busy organisation.

After discussions with Golden Spear Spur Cresta, we were not only able to help with 30 meals, but at the end of a 3 day event, we were able to do over 85 meals to the value of R24 000,00. Nicholas from spur has been an absolute legend in arranging and running this, giving back to the community is a big part of his drive and we all would like to thank Nicholas Michaelides and Golden Spear Spur Cresta for their willingness and efforts.

Seeing all those little kids being able to choose their own meals and Milkshakes, getting their faces painted, playing in the playing area, running around with their Spur masks on and just seeing how excited and happy they were made us all feel so happy and warm inside.

OSAOK has so many hero’s working there that dedicate their time, efforts and soul to what they do. The list of things that OSAOK do is so long and detailed, that we can write a whole article just on that. On that note, we also decided that they would get free meals for the time they have put in not only to make this event possible, but driving in a convoy of 5 or more cars every day to get the kids to the spur, managing the 20-30 kids every day at the spur for 3 days, and still being able to all off this with the biggest smiles on their faces and all the love in the world!

OSAOK has a charity school where they develop young minds from all ages. They have a foster care home with babies, older kids, and even teenagers. They have daily feeding schemes that happen every day at 9AM and 4PM where they have the regulars and the new coming and grabbing a free meal from all over.

On top of all the work they do, they still manage to help smaller charities with whatever they can, from lending a helping hand, to helping with a meal where they can. They also have this great initiative where they don’t give away donations that have been made to them, but they rather give bags of hope to the unemployed on the street. These bags will have clothes in them, and the people will go out and sell them to make money in order to buy food and cover their daily needs. This creates an environment where people learn to trade and earn money for themselves in order to look after their families.

OSAOK also helps members in the community that are struggling with drug addiction. They take them in, get them cleaned up and sober, and help them to either go to a rehab to get rid of the addiction, or just by providing that little bit of support to start fresh on a different path.

The team working at OSAOK are a small family of hero’s that do so much for the community out there! Big thanks to OSAOK and Golden Spear Spur Cresta!

YIT

Hanno “Lip-lapa” Redman

RT Sandown 150

BMG Experience for Pipeliner

May 16, 2023December 20, 2022 by Gauteng PRO

Round Table Northridge 117

BMG 2022 took place at an amazing Holiday resort in Nylstroom by the name of “Weesgerus”, what an amazing venue and time this turned out to be…

Northridge 117 including myself the new Pipeliner at NRT 117 attended this amazing event. People came from all over, some if not most did not really know each other at all at first but what was very clear is that everyone was immediately friends here. It was the strangest thing, people who never even met were immediately as close as brothers and would help each other with probably anything by looks of things.

The feeling in the air was like something we never feel anymore, the feeling of calm and bliss, the feeling and sense of “belong”. It was mostly strangers all over the place for me still being a Pipeliner but yet I felt like I’ve known most of these folks for years and like I could work and get along with any single one of them at any point.

I got to know and became friends with more folks from Round Table than I can count at BMG which led me to grave for even more… I couldn’t help but find myself wondering “If BMG is this great, what must ARTSA be like?”. I for one will never miss a BMG event with my fellow brothers going forward and I’ll be sure to attend ARTSA if BMG was this amazing.

From start till the end it was all good and fun. I decided go camping at Weesgerus instead of booking a chalet and very quickly realized that I didn’t even have to lock anything, I could just leave my stuff wide open which was a very weird and new experience. The food was absolutely divine, the stuff I can only imagine kings would normally be eating. I also didn’t even have to worry about my wife or my kids, there was something to do for everyone.

The venue has so much to offer, me and my loved ones always had something to do. During social gatherings at night is when things especially got fun, there was no need for me to even to watch my kids. The whole environment and place were completely safe with fellow tablers all over the place keeping an eye on the kids. They could all play and enjoy themselves safely and all the adults could relax and socialize without having to worry about a thing…. Sounds like the stuff we can only imagine and yet it was all real.

Joining Table and Joining the Wolfpack at Northridge 177 was probably one of the best things I did which I can only wish I did sooner in life…

#Howling

Wynand Warren

Northridge 177 Pipeliner

Cannonball Run aint no joke

May 16, 2023December 20, 2022 by Gauteng PRO

Round Table Sandown 150

To work at Cannonball Run for a first project, I don’t know what I was supposed to expect, but it was none of it, all of it and more.

You could be forgiven for thinking a project going for 19 events over 20 years would be a well oiled money raising machine! Well at least half of that is true. Coordinating 16 activities and 24 events over 3 days with 32 staff is no joke. The problems you have to deal with on the day,

during an event where participants paid good money and are fuelled with red mist (turning off all the traction controls) while charged with adrenaline is not for the easily rattled. You are forced to take lead, you are forced to think quickly, you are forced to make a plan RIGHT NOW, and you BETTER NOT CALL ROSS or risk the fury of a thousand suns.

That said, Ross Chriton is the “idea guy”, and he has a magic ability for making things happen, coordinating that many events and all the staff is impossible, well not without pressure levels equalling the centre of a sun (hence the nickname Raging Ross).

So he intentionally decided that he won’t do that this year, which in itself is actually a great leadership philosophy (delegate authority not responsibility) and gives the staff ample opportunities to develop their own leadership skills, albeit daunting.

I’m not going to lie I was a tiny bit disappointed I didn’t get to see that (the exploding Ross), so obviously the delegation strategy worked.

Could things have been better planned? Sure, and they will be next year as we are now forced to adopt, adapt and improve. But can you really argue with raising R453,966.73?

To attempt to summarise the feelings throughout the event, think: adrenaline, sleep deprivation, intense teamwork, ad-hoc replanning, a kak ton of driving, sun tan (burn) and of course supercars.

By the end of it all the crew couldn’t wait to unleash a massive jol, blowing out until 4am the next morning like mad scientists released from prison.

For a first project this ignited a table fire in me that I didn’t know I had, and next year will be even bigger.

Thank you to Jaco Fourie for being the gateway to Polokwane, last minute support from Pretoria 137 and Bosveld area chair Antonie Smit, the 32 staff, all the contestants and of course Ross Chriton who could make an event like this possible.

P.s. Bosveld, no take backs, we will gladly have your support next year!

Inspiring others to become more

May 16, 2023September 16, 2022 by Gauteng PRO

Four years ago, a young lady, Patricia Chione dreamt of one day becoming a nurse in her home country Malawi. That dream of hers has just become a reality thanks to the GDP Cancer Foundation and Round Table Sandton 121. The GDP Cancer Foundation covered all Patricia’s board, lodging, tuition and examination fees for 4 years. She didn’t have to pay a cent.

The GDP Cancer Foundation was started by one of our own, a tabler, Fausto Di Palma, from Sandton after the death of Fausto’s father due to brain cancer, the GDP Cancer Foundation was born to focus on those in need for the treatment of cancer and the care for the terminally ill.

The purpose of the GDP Cancer Foundation was to help people in financial difficulties who were struggling with cancer, but this was shifted in the past four years to advance the training and education of those who wish to care for the terminally ill, like Patricia.

We are pleased to announce that Patricia is now a fully qualified nurse and finished her nursing qualification, and has graduated. From all of us at Sandton 121 and the GDP Cancer Foundation we extend Patricia a huge congratulations and we wish her well in the future.

Christmas in July – Northridge 117

May 16, 2023August 11, 2022 by Gauteng PRO

On Sunday, 3^rd July, Northridge 117 hosted a successful fund raising event. The event itself was a three course “Christmas” lunch with live entertainment.

The Venue for the Afternoon was Off the Grid, with Wayne Dillon providing the entertainment. The venue, food and entertainment were amazing. Like many table functions, the vibe was also amazing. It is incredible what can be achieved when you have a team like Northridge supporting you.

The point of this article is not about the actual event, or the funds raised, but more about being challenge and pushed. Stepping out of ones’ comfort zone and making it through the other side a better person.

This story started back in March at our bosberaad. During the meeting, our chairman, Chris asked everyone why they table. There are many different reasons why people choose to join round table, but for me, it was about personal growth. I am an introvert, and when I first joined table, I battled to speak in front of people, even my own table.

I was called out and a challenge was set, that before the end of this year, I would be talking in front on a crowd of more than 50 people. Challenge accepted.

Every aspect of the event pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had never even attempted to organise an event like this, never mind pull it off. There were moments of stress. Fear that the whole event would fail…. I was even at one point considering canceling the whole event, but, the power of Table Kicked in. Chris and the rest of Northridge had my back. With less than a month to go, working together, we pulled it off. Christmas in July was a success.

And what of the challenge you wonder? Well, I ended up doing table grace, with a microphone, in front of over 70 guests for the day. Challenge completed.

One thing that I realized during the event is that on your own you can only make a small difference, however, by being a member of an organisation like Round Table a person can really make impactful change, not only in one’s community, but also on a personal level.

Growth

August 2, 2022July 24, 2022 by wez

/ɡrəʊθ/

noun

The process of increasing in size. – “the upward growth of plants”

the process of increasing in amount, value, or importance. – “the rates of population growth are lowest in the north”

Bushveld ARTSA 2023 – A Weekend of Camaraderie, Competition, and Celebration
Hark, fellow knights of the Round Table! Let me regale you with the tale of our recent adventure at Weesgerus in Modimolle for the annual ARTSA conference. From April 27 to April 30, 2023, Round Table Southern Africa assembled for this grand event, and the weather was on our side the entire weekend! Upon arriving … Read more
Filling hearts with happiness
On a warm Saturday morning in Boksburg North, Centenery Hall Eeufees Saal was abuzz with activity as tablers from Boksburg 17, Edenvale 63, Golden East 181, and Jukskei 217 gathered to bring joy to 200+ children. Our mission was clear: to fill their little hearts with happiness. As is customary, we started off with a … Read more
Middelburg 126 Raid
Hi. My name is Richardt Rautenbach, Round table Boksburg 17 guest. On Thursday the 24th of November I was given the opportunity to join in on Round Table Middelburg’s Business Meeting. Cuan Maizey, Wez De Kock and I took on the rather grueling 140km trip together. I am happy to say that this was my … Read more
Spur’s 55th Birthday kids party
Round Table Sandown 150 Spur recently celebrated their 55th Birthday, and how they celebrate their birthday every year is by inviting 20-30 kids from a charity or orphanage home to have a free meal and a drink at one of their restaurants. Golden Spear Spur Cresta then made contact with Round Table Sandown 150 in … Read more
BMG Experience for Pipeliner
Round Table Northridge 117 BMG 2022 took place at an amazing Holiday resort in Nylstroom by the name of “Weesgerus”, what an amazing venue and time this turned out to be… Northridge 117 including myself the new Pipeliner at NRT 117 attended this amazing event. People came from all over, some if not most did … Read more

Shave Raffle for Cancer – Boksburg 17

May 16, 2023June 28, 2022 by Gauteng PRO

The date was set and venue confirmed!! With my shave project was now in full swing after having visited a few areas and clubs promoting my project, naming STNOFS area AGM, Roodepoort 162i AGM, Pretoria 136 and 87 business meetings, as well as our own Gauteng area AGM, getting commitments for entries to my raffle.

At a cost of R50 per entry to the draw the terms and conditions consisted of a 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place, first place would get to shave my hair and beard as well as receive a bottle of Jameson Select, second place would receive a bottle of Jameson stout caskmates and third place would receive a normal bottle of Jameson. Should the winner not be present the shave would be forfeited to second and thereafter 3^rd place. The money raised would go to our cancer fund to be, and my hair grown for the last 3 years would be used to make a wig.

The only thing left to do, and the hardest part, was to follow up and get the commitments at ARTSA in Jeffrey’s bay… It proved to be more difficult than I had initially anticipated as each ticket would have to be written out… with some people buying up to 17 tickets it was difficult to keep the balance between selling and writing out tickets as well as being social and keeping a good conversation.

After all, and whilst having fun with fellow table brothers, I manged to sell 160 tickets which totalled to R8000.00 and the time had come to do the draw. We were in the RTSA AGM and whilst tallying the votes for the new RTSA IRO our then President Stefan Grobler did the draw.

Walter Van Rooyen from Boksburg 17 won the draw but was unfortunately not present and the right to shave my hair went to Hanno Redman from Sandown 150. Third place went to Brad JV Rensburg from Sandton 121. Well done to the winners and thank you to each and every person who supports the cause and bought a ticket.

Hanno made it through to our Business meeting and joint project meeting with Edenvale 63 to shave my head and the cycle was completed!! The last time my head was shaved was at Vereeniging 20 in June 2016 by no other than Adrian Ihlenfeldt. I had forgotten how cold it is. My neck, my ears, my chin and my head all freezing but it was totally worth it!

Let the grow begin!!