On 30 August, the Inner Wheel Club of Saldanha hosted yet another wonderful Spring Day Lunch. This annual event is a highlight on their calendar, where the club invites other Inner Wheel Clubs to take a scenic drive along the West Coast to join them. Along the way, guests are treated to the spectacular beauty of the region’s spring flowers. The journey ends with a delightful lunch, enjoyed by all who attend.
In addition, Past President of our Club, The Innerwheel Club of Durbanville, Nicole De Waal reached out to Liz Roe, President of the Innerwheel Club of Saldanha, and arranged for us to join one of their club meetings. On Tuesday, 7 October, Nicole and I set off through the wheatlands of the Western Cape, enjoying the last of the spring blooms on our way to the Flying Club in Saldanha.
Although they usually hold their meetings at a different venue, this was the first time they used the Flying Club—made possible thanks to the husband of one of their members.
Ten ladies of the Inner Wheel Club of Saldanha attended the meeting, with two unfortunately unable to make it. We were warmly welcomed, and it was a pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces as well as meet new ones.
While the structure of their meeting was similar to ours, we enjoyed hearing about their current projects. In turn, Nicole shared some of our initiatives with them.
Their two main projects are particularly inspiring. One is a mentorship program for matric students, which has been very well received and is already making a positive impact. The project is led by a member who is a circuit inspector of schools, adding a valuable level of expertise.
At the end of the meeting, the ladies formed a production line to make bags for the students—similar to our “Christmas goody bag” packing for Green Pastures Retirement Home.
Another remarkable initiative involves distributing school shoes made from used IV bags, which are typically discarded. By adding a masterbatch to the material, the durable plastic is transformed into comfortable, affordable shoes for children—at a cost of just R35—thanks to the efforts of a member’s husband who is involved in the process.
They also run a regular boot sale, selling household items and bric-a-brac, although they note it’s a bit calmer than the “feeding frenzy” we sometimes see at our own events!
We left the meeting feeling inspired and uplifted, and we extended an invitation for them to attend one of our meetings. While our evening meeting time presents a logistical challenge due to the distance, we’re hopeful that we can find ways to continue building this connection.
One of the key objectives of Inner Wheel is to foster bonds of friendship—and thanks to Nicole’s initiative, we truly felt that spirit come to life through this meaningful exchange.
Author: Liz van As, Editor: Renate Putra
