President’s Message May 2023

Hallo from the other side

By Ben Burger

Good day 41ers-to-be! (If you left Table at ARTSA in Weesgerus a few weeks ago, that is you).

For those of you who do not know me, I am Ben Burger, 41ers Association President. I Tabled at Bloemfontein 25 for 11 years and George 30 for two years before I left at 40. I had the honour of being an Honorary Member of Bellville 65 after I had arrived in Cape Town in 2015.

I have been a fully-fledged member of the 41er Association of Southern Africa since I left Table and I have served on the Exec for seven years, now as President.

As you have now left Table – a place that you love and that has played a huge role in your life – remember that there is life after Table. It is called the 41er Association of Southern Africa. It was formed in 1968, so we have been around for some time.

If you attended ARTSA 2023, I hope that you also attended the legendary 41er kuier hosted by Suren and Dellorin. I heard it was epic. There, amongst others, you would have learned more about our beloved 41ers Association.

The Association exists to keep the hinges of friendship oiled and to make sure that the chains of fellowship that bind us together remain unbroken. We do so inter alia by having regular gatherings and attending Table meetings because as 41ers we must give something back to Round Table, the organisation that made us the upstanding gentlemen we are today. Without Table we would not know each other, nor have become great friends. Your time in Table is now finished, but you can still make a difference.

Here at the 41ers you can be as formal or as relaxed as you want to be when it comes to meetings. Remember, we did our bit when we were Tablers, so now it is about fellowship and giving back to Table.

How we give back is up to each one personally, be it by attending Round Table meetings, or helping with their projects or just giving advice, but we must give back. 

If there is no official 41er club in your town or area, contact me (or any of the Exec members, we are on 41er World) and we will gladly assist you. You can also find us on Facebook (Yes, I know it is social media for old people, but …).

I invite each and every one of you to join as a fully-fledged member of the 41ers Association of Southern Africa so that we can ensure that the chains of fellowship that bind us together remain unbroken.

The 41er Association looks forward to welcoming you as fully-fledged members. If you have any queries, please contact me at president@41ers.co.za.

Yours in eternal fellowship

Ben Burger

President 2022/2023