Chairperson of the De Grendel subcouncil and Ward Councillor for Bothasig and Edgemead, Cllr James Vos, has been honoured by the Parow Lions Club for his community awareness projects.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the ultimate recognition that can be presented to a worthy recipient in South Africa.
Past District Governor and Immediate Past President of Parow Lions, Clive Fox, expressed his delight that Cllr Vos’s long standing support to the organisation had been recognised at the highest level.
Cllr Vos has been closely involved with the Lions over the past two years. He participated in the Blind for a Day, Disabled for a Day, Homeless for a Night and the Disaster for a Day campaigns.
Past recipients of the
Melvin Jones Fellowship include personalities such as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Raymond Ackerman and Pieter Dirk Uys.
At a glittering banquet attended by delegates from all South African and Namibian clubs, Lions District Governor Paula Lang presented a plaque and fellowship pin to Cllr Vos.
"His personal interest in the health and well-being of all citizens sets him apart from those who also have the means but choose to do so little," she said.
Apart from Cllr Vos’s participation in the various campaigns, his generous funding towards the Lions diabetes testing and feeding schemes also earned him the Louis Volk Humanitarian Award and his induction as an honorary member of the organisation.
"I am particularly proud to be associated with Lions International. All their initiatives have resulted in many advantages and improvements. The majority of buildings which were inspected as part of the disabled and blind projects, are now being made ‘disabled friendly’.
"A Street People’s Forum was established and additional subsidies are being made available to night shelters to assist the homeless. The City’s preparedness to react to disasters has also been tried and tested," he said.
Issued by: Communication Department, City of Cape Town
Media Enquiries: Clive Fox, Past President: Parow Lions,
Cell 072 159 0028