Friends, Members and Fellow 41ers,

I decided on the theme for my tenure as President to be “Friendship Forged in Time…,” I was reminded through a motivational Facebook post that life is very much like a train ride. At every station, people get on and people get off. Some travel with us only for a short distance, others for many years, and a few remain seated beside us for life.

And when we look back at our years in Round Table, we see how many boarded that train with us: the laughter shared, the projects accomplished, the challenges overcome, and the friendships that became family. Those moments were not fleeting — they were the very sparks that forged bonds of steel, bonds that time itself cannot break.

But time, as we all know, is precious — and it moves too quickly. One day we are young Tablers filled with ambition, and in the blink of an eye the years have rolled on like the countryside outside a carriage window. Responsibilities shifted, paths widened, and life carried us forward.

Yet through it all, friendship endures. It does not fade with the passing of time. It waits, like a warm fire in the engine room, ready to be rekindled. That is what the 41ers is about. It is not simply a continuation of Round Table — it is the fellowship carriage of the great train of life, where the doors never close and where all are welcome to ride again.

Our challenge is clear: to invite back the passengers who once rode with us, who may have stepped off, but who still long for the camaraderie, the laughter, and the warmth of belonging. Let us show them that the train still runs, the seats are still reserved, and the journey is far from over.

I would like to thank each and every member that has contributed to the 41ers Association of Southern Africa through paying their membership fees. For this reason we have voted in Long Service medals for members that have continuously paid their membership fees for 10, 20 and 30 years. We will circulate communication on how to apply for them. Last year we inducted about 25 new members and by the end of term lost about 25 leaving us with a total membership tally of about 250.

We voted in that our membership fees only escalated by R20 to the value of R790-00. Some members think that this is a lot…, I would like to state that Routary membership is R 2 200-00 per year to be a member through one of our local clubs.

We have decided to role out a new initiative that we will be supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness. Please support this initiative by purchasing a tie or bowtie through the website and we are also investigating and planning to support a national initiative to support a Hearing Foundation to repurpose discarded hearing aids.

Understandably we also lose members each year. Most of them stating that what am I getting for my membership fees? The answer is very simple: “Representation for South Africa on the global 41er platform, through the President and IRO attending the annual World Meeting and Half Year Meeting.” We pay fees to be part of the International 41er Association. Your fees give you access to 41er World and puts you directly in contact with the 43 000 odd members internationally. Invites to all of these Associations AGM’s are published on the platform. If you haven’t travelled internationally through table due to monetary constraints the platforms remain and our brothers oversea can’t wait to host you.

Understandably some 41ers are extensively involved with their local Round Table club and don’t see the need to be a paying member and the statement normally is I’m a ‘club name’ 41er.

Firstly I would like to thank you for continuously supporting Round Table and setting the example regarding Community involvement for the young tablers. Please keep on doing so. Three questions though…

1. Do your specific table still have a numbers tour and still travel internationally?
2. Is the specific Round Table club growing?
3. Do you see yourself in 10 years with the same commitment?

   If the answer on these questions is No. I appeal to you to firstly attend one of our 41ers Southern Africa AGM during the first weekend in September each year. Come see what it is about. Tap into the 41ers International resources and organise a numbers tour to your specific town and region. South Africa will always remain one of the best destinations to visit and we are renown for our hospitality internationally.

In line with our International President, Dr Sid Siddharthan’s theme for the year being “Members First” we will have a lucky draw each month for paying members to stand a chance to win a gift. This will be a live draw on Facebook and all winners will receive their gifts through Pudo or Courier Guy. First two draw’s will be end of October. Each members will receive a certificate and we are rolling these out before the end of the year. Obviously with the change of our logo linked to Namibia joining our Association we have been in the process of revising old docs. New membership pins are also in process of being rolled out.

In closing, the machines of the industrial age were powered by steam and steel. But the great engine of the 41ers is powered by friendship. And this year, under this theme, we affirm our commitment that:

We are passengers of time — but companions for life.

So let us reach out, let us rekindle old bonds, and let us ensure that no friend rides alone. For friendships forged in time are the ones that endure forever.

To the 41ers, to friendship, and to the journey ahead!

Jan Nel
President 2025-26