Naasif Regal, a 52-year-old chauffeur from Gleemor, is now in the driver’s seat at the Athlone Lions Club, following his induction as the club’s new president, on Saturday.
Mr Regal takes over from Zarina Hendricks, who has served as the club’s president for the past three years.
During the ceremony, at the Samaj Centre, in Gatesville, Ms Hendricks received the Louis Volks Humanitarian Award for her dedicated and distinguished service to the benefit of the community. She will now serve as a zone chairwoman.
Mr Regal is a member of the Athlone Civic Association, the Gleemor Neighbourhood Watch and three charities. He said he was excited about his new role and urged the community to work with him.
“I’ve always had a passion for helping people and the less fortunate. When I recently moved into Gleemor, my house was broken into and the community really helped me, so I want to give back,” he said, adding that he felt his leadership and people skills would help him make a success of his new position.
Ms Hendricks wished Mr Regal all of the best and said she was confident that he would steer the club from strength to strength.
“It is a challenging role, but it is rewarding as you help many people. Naasif is the type of person who can rationalise in any situation, and he is ready to take over as the president of the club.”
Rafeeqah Edries, of Athlone, sang at the ceremony, which was attended by Athlone residents and Lions from various clubs.
Charles Flanagan, district governor of the 410-W, which covers 56 Lions clubs in the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Namibia, said he was delighted with the new president.
Lions clubs were important because their services always benefited the public, he said.
“Lions clubs’ international core is to serve the community. Our motto is ‘we serve’, so we are in service to our fellow human beings. We have over 46 000 clubs worldwide, and all of the Lions everywhere are there to serve our communities, and we do it for the betterment of our fellow human beings.”