Firstly, let me thank President Suren Packery for his leadership this past year and congratulate him on a great year.

What a huge honour to have this opportunity to lead this amazing organization. I was never sure what an honour it would be until I received the global directory. I thought we were not that a big organization, by number of members, but out of the 36 – 41er Associations around the world we are the 13^th biggest association, biggest in Africa. We have more members than Iceland, that is hosting the International AGM and Morocco.

Thank you to everyone that took the time to attend our AGM 2024. We had a great event and met new 41ers and tablers over the weekend. The AGM 2024 was a well-attended event, with over 140 people attending the Gala dinner the Saturday. The highlight for me was the mayor of Pretoria, Cilliers Brink, opening the conference.

Life is about friendship, and we have this in abundance in our origination and in the Round Table family.

My theme for the year is strength through unity. Here I refer to the relationship and support for not only Round Table but for the family and this includes Ladies Circle.

Through supporting the family, we will grow and help the family organizations in their efforts

This year we have some special projects and events:

• New and revamped website – will be launched at the end of January 2025
• Golf weekend – it is the 4^th instalment of this event and will be hosted in the Midlands in KwaZulu-Natal
• Hunting weekend – 2^nd instalment of this great event and we look forward to hosting our 41ers at this event
• Growth – we had good growth in 2023/24 but we need to open some more clubs/branches
• Namibia – we will be visiting Namibia in February 2025 and start a new friendship

We are also investigating updating the Rondel and please be on the look out for some great ideas around this.

All I all 2025 will be another great year for 41ers Association Southern Africa

May the hinges of friendship never rust, may the chains of fellowship that bind us together, remain unbroken.

Yours in 41ers

Dellorin Bornman

The post Message from Dellorin, President 2024/25 appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

Firstly, let me Thank Past President Ben Burger for his leadership this past year and congratulate him on a great year. 

I am very Honoured to be elected as your President, I appreciate that it reflects your trust and recognition in me, and I commit to repaying that faith. 

Thank You to everyone that took the time to attend our AGM 2023. In light of the unfortunate tragedy that took place recently, my first message to the Association is about the importance of Family, Friendship, and Brotherhood and is dedicated to the Moffet Family. 

In a world that often seems increasingly disconnected, these bonds are our anchors, our sources of strength and joy. 

Family is the foundation upon which our lives are built. It’s the unconditional love and unwavering support Never take for granted. 

Friendship is chosen. It enriches our lives with laughter, camaraderie, and the comfort that we’re not alone on this journey. Friendships offer us joy in triumphs and solace in times of sadness.

Brotherhood is Both! It’s about a shared purpose, shared goals, and the unwavering commitment to one another. Brotherhood teaches us loyalty, resilience, and the profound strength that comes from standing together. It’s not limited by blood; it’s defined by shared values and experiences.

These connections remind us of our humanity. They provide a support system during life’s challenges. They shape our character, influence our decisions, and define our sense of belonging in the world.

But, like any treasure, they require nurturing. In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy overlook them…

Yet, the effort we invest in these relationships is a direct reflection of the richness and depth they bring to our lives. Family, Friendship, and Brotherhood are not mere words; they are the threads that weave the beautiful tapestry of our lives. 

May the hinges of friendship never rust, may the chains of fellowship that bind us together, remain unbroken. 

Yours in 41ers

Suren Packery

President 2023/24

The post President’s Message October 2023 appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

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

The post President’s Message May 2023 appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

12 September 2022

Good evening fellow 41ers

I trust this letter finds you all well.

This is my first letter as President of the 41ers. After recovering from convening the conference and AGM and a bout of proper man-flu, I am up-an-running again.

Firstly, a huge thank you goes to everyone who attended the conference and AGM in the first weekend of September. It was one for the record books and by all accounts everybody enjoyed it thoroughly. Secondly thanks to my lovely wife who helped to organise the conference and AGM and to my fellow Durbell 41ers Tyrone Juul and Marius Taljaard (and his wife Amora) who ensured that this weekend was a huge a success. I must also thank John Rutherford of Durbell 41ers for his ample donation of goodies for the goody bags and my long-time friend Bruce McKay for the goodies he sponsored and for arranging the wine and beer for the conference. We are all looking forward to the next conference and AGM in East London in 2023.

My theme for this year is Giving Back. We as 41ers 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 become great friends.

How we give back is up to each one personally, be it by attending regular Round Table meetings, or helping with their projects or whatever way you choose to do it, but we must give back. We are not allowed to just leave Table and forget where we come from. 

We must also be visible. Make sure that the Table in your town or city knows that there is a 41er club close to them and that club must belong to our Association. Table has given us so much, so it is time to return the favour.

The Executive Council also wants to build on the great work that was done by my predecessor, Nico McNamara, with getting new members. Our focus is firstly to retain the 224 members on 41er World and then to increase our membership. As Nico always says: “more means less” – the more members we are, the less the membership fee per 41er will be.

I am in the process of creating a WhatsApp group where one member from each club (the chairman or secretary) will be a member of the group. This will be for administrative purposes only and to ensure that every club receives all the information that the Exec distributes.

We have also divided the country into sections and Exec members will be responsible for the 41er clubs in their region. Tyrone Juul (treasurer) and I will look after the Western Cape and Garden Route up to George; VP Suren is responsible for the Eastern Cape/Border; VP Elect Dellorin and webmaster Bruce will look after all clubs “north” of Bloemfontein; Nico (IPP/IRO) and secretary Marc will look after Drakensberg and parts of KZN. There are certain parts of the country where the Exec is not represented, but we will not leave you guys behind (looking at you Northern Cape and northern parts of KZN). We are always up for a “kuier” so just tell us you miss us and we will be there.

We have our second annual golf tour in March 2023 in Stellenbosch and it promises to be epic. The convenor is Rikus Badenhorst and he will be ably assisted by Stuart Hunter.

Go here to register: https://forms.gle/9wWXzrcBJR8BKTp49 For the non-golfers, we are working on a hunting weekend in the winter of 2023.

Gentlemen, as in any Club it is important for members to contribute to the running of it, the 41ers Association is no different. For 2022/2023 the membership fee was set at R650 for the financial year, with certain rebates for those older than 65. This year we will be utilising 41er World to send invoices, so be on the lookout for your invoice. It should reach you before the end of October. 

I am really looking forward to my year as President, but in the end, it will mean nothing if the Exec did not meet our mandate of connecting with you and retaining and growing our membership. 

I also invite you to please contact me or any member of the Exec if you think that we are not doing our jobs or if you have any ideas you would like to share to make 41ers the Association of choice for Tablers leaving Round Table. 

We oiled the hinges of friendship at the conference and AGM we had 10 days ago, so let’s ensure that those hinges do not rust and that the chains that bind us together remain unbroken.

Yours in eternal fellowship

Ben Burger

President 2022/2023

For those of you who could not attend the conference and AGM, meet the Exec on the next page.

Ben Burger from Cape Town (President), Suren Packery from East London (Vice-President), Dellorin Bornman from Pretoria (Vice-President Elect), Marc Powell from Pietermaritzburg (secretary), Tyrone Juul from Cape Town (treasurer), Bruce McKay from Johannesburg (webmaster and regalia) and Nico McNamara from Pietermaritzburg (Immediate Past President and international relations officer).

The post President’s Message September 2022 appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

Dear Fellow 41’ers and Friends,

I trust that everyone is safe and well as we now face another threat to our lives both locally and abroad. The extended load shedding and the Russian invasion of the Ukraine is now adding to our already upside down world.

Do you realize that it has been 2 years already since we experienced the last normal week in this world. 

I would like to extend my thanks to all the 41’ers across South Africa that hosted and met with me over the past 2 months.

I wish to congratulate the Vryburg and PE 41’ers for signing their branch Founding Documents. I was present at both the events and enjoyed immense fellowship.

The 41’ers Golf Challenge was a huge success and my thanks go to Martin Botha and his team for all the fantastic arrangements. I am glad to inform you that the next Golf Challenge will take place in Stellenbosch. The date will follow soon.

Thank you to all the members who have already paid their membership fees. The due date for the payments was the 28^th February 2022 and I urge all the members with outstanding payments to do so urgently.  Our Association depends on the members paying their fees, as we have both international and local commitments to cover.

The YAP Tours should be continuing again this year and I know that the Yappers will enjoy their trips in both Europe and South Africa.

My presidential travels continue again soon, keep your eyes open for gatherings in your areas.

Yours in 41’ers

Nico McNamara

MAY THE HINGES OF FRIENDSHIP NEVER RUST

MAY THE CHAINS OF FELLOWSHIP THAT BIND US TOGETHER REMAIN UNBROKEN

The post President’s Message March 2022 appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

I hope that everyone is safe and well as we now face the 4^th Covid19 Wave.

I would like to extend my thanks to all the 41ers across South Africa that hosted and met with me over the past 4 months. I am looking forward to continuing with my travels in the New Year.

Whilst there has been a resurgence in interest in the 41ers Association, we still have a lot of room to continue to grow to ensure that we connect with all Ex-Tablers in Southern Africa. Your board members and District Councilors have been working hard to improve the communications and connections with all our members and it is working!

Remember the “Continued Friendship and Fellowship” that the 41ers Association brings with it and let us reconnect the friendships that bound us together in Table.

With Christmas a mere five days away, I would like to wish you, your families and friends a Very Happy and Blessed Festive Season.

May 2022 bring you all the best that life can give!

Stay safe and Stay Healthy!!!

Yours in 41ers

Nico McNamara

MAY THE HINGES OF FRIENDSHIP NEVER RUST

MAY THE CHAINS OF FELLOWSHIP THAT BIND US TOGETHER REMAIN UNBROKEN

The post President’s Christmas & New Year Message ’21 appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

On behalf of the association, I would like to thank Past President Corne Burger for his commitment and dedication to the 41ers Association. Even though COVID disrupted his plans during his term of office, he has steered the ship well and guided us through the troubled waters. In Corne’s induction speech he said to us, “If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it” and he has certainly achieved this and has passed on the Association in a much better position to us and for this we thank him. 

The Association’s AGM took place at Lythwood Lodge in the KZN Midlands on the 3^rd to 5^th September. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and thank you for the fun and fellowship you shared with Lynne and me. There is nothing like oiling the hinges of friendship and linking the chains of fellowship to attract friends back to our association. I hope that the AGM weekend will set the tone for the coming year, and that it will encourage you to invite fellow past Tablers to partake in social events organized by your branches. The 41ers MUST become the Association of choice for past Tablers to join. I believe this will best be achieved through showcasing the value this organization adds to one’s life as a means of connecting with friends.  

Vice President Ben and 2^nd Vice Suren and I have discussed how we would like our terms to influence the association. These discussions led to us deciding to implement a three-year plan that seeks to grow the 41er brand, improve our recognition, and make joining the association appealing to past Tablers. This comes from regularly being asked by potential 41er members what this organization will give to them. It is not always easy to convince a past Tabler to join the association when their concerns relate to what they can get in return.  In my experience, the 41ers Association is most fulfilling and rewarding when your focus is on what you can do to better the organization, and what you can do to improve the experience of the organization for those around you. Fellowship is at the heart of this. I therefore encourage current and potential members to view the association in this way:

“This is not a service club, the 41ers Association is an organization formed to foster fellowship among past tablers. The association is therefore a tool that members must use, and have a responsibility to make the most of, to retain the friendships formed during their table careers, and to form new friendships through the mutual bonds of being a 41er.” 

The role I hope to play in encouraging continued and improved fellowship in the association during my term as president is to be on the ground. Travelling, attending meetings, seeing how other clubs run, and spending time with like-minded people. This is half the reason most of us joined Round Table in the first place, and that has not changed for me in my 41er years. Therefore, COVID restrictions permitting, my exec team and I intend on visiting as many association branches, as well as Round Tables, as possible during the year ahead. This includes getting to Namibia to encourage our brothers north of the border to become once again, active within our association.  

Additional to the fellowship opportunities associated with 41ers, I am passionate about the role that the 41ers association can play in supporting and building communications with Round Table. I am sure this is true for all 41ers, but for me this stems from a genuine desire for Table and Tablers to succeed so that the joys of being in Round Table can be experienced by future generations. Our guidance can positively impact the organization that has given us so much. I look forward to all future opportunities to support and grow Round Table and will always encourage my fellow 41ers to do the same.      

To end off I would just like to say to all 41ers that the National Exec is not separate to other members. Every 41er walks a different path. Everybody’s path is equally important. The exec has simply expressed a desire to provide guidance to your association for the next year, and to serve and represent you so that we can all enjoy the continued success of the 41ers. 

I look forward to meeting many, if not all of you during the coming year. 

Stay safe and Stay Healthy!!!

Yours in 41ers

Nico McNamara

MAY THE HINGES OF FRIENDSHIP NEVER RUST

MAY THE CHAINS OF FELLOWSHIP THAT BIND US TOGETHER REMAIN UNBROKEN

The post President’s Message September ’21 appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

25 JANUARY 2021

Good day Gentlemen. I trust this letter finds you well under the circumstances.

Over the past few years, we have not been able to publish the 41’er Association membership directory, due to various reasons.

Many members have asked if the printed directory could be replaced with a digital version and we have great news. The 41’er Association of Southern Africa is now part of 41’er World. This is a directory and database for 41ers across the world. We will be going live next week.

From today, Monday 25 January all Paid-Up Members of the Association of 41ers of Southern Africa will receive an email from noreply-za@41er.world with the subject-line “Choose password” inviting you to logon to the website to setup your password and update your details (remember to check your spam folder if you do not receive the email).

Once you have chosen your password, you will have access to 41’er World.

You can update your personal information and include your company details (if you so wish) which also makes this a business directory for 41ers.

You can decide how much or how little of your information you want to display to other members on 41er World. This is a member-only website and you will only be granted access if you are a paid-up member of the Association. Access will be renewed annually when membership fees are paid.

41’er World is designed to work on your computer and your mobile phone, so it replaces the old printed directory.

For any assistance with 41’er World please send an email to me at ben@clicksa.co.za or Raymond at mantra-ray@outlook.com

On the Right there is a picture of what the initial page will look like

Yours in 41ers

Ben Burger

Vice President Elect 2019/20

The post Exciting Announcment – Southern Africa Joins 41er World appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

Dear Fellow 41’ers and Friends,

Writing this letter has proven to be more of a challenge than anticipated, especially after I read the one from last year where we were all looking forward to a prosperous New Year filled with love, health and happiness. I think we will all agree that 2020 delivered exactly the opposite; we lost family and friends, we lost businesses, we watched the world become a prison to something called Covid-19 and suddenly not visiting family and friends became an act of love, a world gone mad, not to even mention the US Presidential election. We were certainly not prepared, no one knew what was coming and we with the second wave escalating as I write this, we are also not sure where this is all going to end, what the extent of the damage will be and how many of us will still be standing.

The Executive took a decision during June of this year, in line with 41 International, to call 2020 a “dud” year and that all members of the Executive Council will remain in their various job functions for the following year. The induction of Nico McNamara as the next President of the Association has moved to the weekend of 3-5 September 2021 and will be held at the same venue as advertised on the 41’er website. Register now on https://www.41ers.co.za/agm-2020

Although we were constrained during lockdown, it certainly did not stop the momentum of the Association. Various Zoom meetings where held and discussions made to steer us in the right direction for the New Year. The Secretary and Treasurer are working hard to make sure all member details are correct and up to date, so we can join the 21^st century by also going live on the international platform called 41’er World, a spin-off of the Round Table site called Tabler World. All member details including location and business will be listed and it will act as a useful tool not only to those still traveling and wanting information about local 41’ers in the countries they are visiting, but also how we can assist each other through our various professions as the information will be readily available through this very useful website, that works like an App on any smart phone. Each member will receive a login and password trough which they will be able to log in and update their information.  This will then also take the place of the annual directory and business directory that we have had huge challenges with to complete over the last years, mainly due to a lack of funding and the information just simply not being correct and up to date.

As mentioned in my address when I took office in September 2019, our focus was and will remain to clear up all administration of the Association. We are streamlining our clubs structure to not only make it easier to manage, but also have a cost saving to the members of the Association. More details on this will follow once finalized at our next Executive meeting to be held early in new year.

I also want to remind all members about the YAP programme that has been run very successfully by Nico over the last few years, where you as members can send your child or grandchild on an unforgettable trip to Europe for two weeks. The Association not only organizes this event, but also contributes funds to each child towards their pocket money.

This year was certainly difficult from all angles as we lost some valuable mentors to many of us: JB le Roux from Durbell, Keith Dempsey from Toti and Alan Naude from Bloemfontein, to mention but a few. They will be sorely missed by us all and the wealth of knowledge and passion they had for the Rondel was immeasurable. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families through this difficult time and we pray their souls rest in peace.

We look forward to the new year and I sincerely hope that we all stay strong. This too shall pass and we as an Association will remain firm, diligent in our duty and forever bound by those chains of fellowship.  

YIFO,

Cornelis Burger

41’er Association Southern Africa

President 2019/20

MAY THE HINGES OF FRIENDSHIP NEVER RUST

MAY THE CHAINS OF FELLOWSHIP THAT BIND US TOGETHER REMAIN UNBROKEN

The post President’s 2021 New Years Message appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.

The New Year has been in full swing now for almost two months and the Council has also been busy and getting stuck in.

The Executive Council of the 41’er Association spend the weekend of the 7^th– 9^th of February in Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape for our 2^nd Exec meeting. The weekend was filled by a short workshop on the Friday afternoon while we were waiting for everyone to arrive, basically discussing issues that have come up over the last few months since we were inducted.

The Friday evening was in the form of a social at the Kenton Round Table Clubhouse, where we joined the current and incoming Round Table Southern Africa Executive Council, along with their partners and some of the members of RT Kenton 210. Lovely fellowship was enjoyed along with an excellently braai-ed Steak by the locals.

Saturday it was obviously down to business and we attended the 4^th Executive meeting of the RTSA Council. The main discussion point relating to us has always obviously been our involvement of the Association with Round Table in general, where we fit in and trying to define our purpose. The relaunch of Middleburg 126 Round Table was brought up and what an intricate part the Coalfields 41’ers played in getting the Table back on its feet, assisting with the run of their first project and just getting the general support they needed to get the Club re-established in the community. This is exactly what we talk about when we say the Association holds its members responsible and accountable for the wellbeing and the continuance of Round Table.

But the responsibility works both ways: it’s up to the current Tablers to make sure they keep in touch with their 41’ers, make them still feel part of the fun, ask for their assistance with projects and use the wealth of experience that you have at your disposal, it really is worth it.

This brings me to another issue that has reared its head over the last few years: some may have noticed it but simply ignores it as it doesn’t concern them. The issue I’m referring to – and it is induction season so it may be a good time to think about it – is the title “Honorary Member”. Now when I joined Table in the previous decade, the term Honorary Member or Membership was something we held in very high regard. It was the HIGHEST honour a Table could give a member that they felt deserved to carry that title. Someone who really gave his all and made a difference in his career or the time he has been at that Club.  Recently however it’s become, and this is my opinion so you are welcome to disagree, but it’s almost as if it’s more of a tool to keep the guy that can run the projects the best, around for longer. Are we really doing ourselves any favours, instead of learning from them so by the time they have to leave and become active 41’ers, we know what we are doing and can run that Winter Knights or the golf day or any other project. You can go around the country and listen to the number of “Honourees” that are in their second or even third years as exactly that, an Honorary.

Gentlemen are we not diluting the institution of that title on an individual that so rightly deserves it, are we really honouring that Tabler for his work, or are we actually just abusing them for their skill and gentle nature… Food for thought, so I sincerely hope, when you are at your Table’s AGM this year and you have to vote on the matter, think carefully about that title and ask yourself if this is the way you would have wanted to be honoured.

We still have a lot of work left for the last Half of our Year in the hot-seat, so from us to all of you, good luck with the induction season, to the new incumbents: I wish you all the best for the year. May you be successful in all your activities in making this a better place for those that can’t help themselves.

“May the hinges of friendship never rust, nor the chains of fellowship that binds us ever break…”

YIFO,

Cornelis Burger

41’ers Association Southern Africa

President 2019/20

The post Presidents’ Report – 2nd Board Meeting appeared first on 41ers Association of Southern Africa.