From Soweto to Pretoria, from conference halls to diplomatic receptions, Rotary International President Elect Olayinka Babalola’s visit to South Africa unfolded as a fast moving programme of conversations about leadership, service and Rotary’s growing role across Africa.
Joined by Rotary International Director Elect Emmanuel Katongole, the visit brought together Rotarians, business leaders, diplomats, community organisations and incoming club leaders across Districts 9370 and 9400 during four days of engagements in May.
The visit began on 15 May with the arrival of the Rotary leaders at OR Tambo International Airport, where they were welcomed by Rotary District 9400 Governor Dr Angelica Salomão, District Governor Elect Grace van Zyl, Past District Governor Stella Anyangwe, Rotary Club of Pretoria East president Dr Rita Sonko and Acting Nigerian High Commissioner Ambassador Ajayi.
Later that evening, members of the diplomatic corps gathered in Pretoria for a dinner attended by African heads of diplomatic missions and United Nations representatives. The event highlighted Rotary’s growing engagement with diplomatic and international development networks across the continent.
The following day, Babalola addressed a town hall gathering involving Nigerian professionals living and working in Pretoria, before attending a Rotary Foundation fundraising gala at Silver Lakes Country Club.
The event combined fundraising with membership development and public engagement, bringing together Rotarians, prospective members and community leaders. Seven new Rotarians were inducted during the evening, while more than R230,000 was raised for The Rotary Foundation.
Throughout the gala, Rotary leaders focused strongly on partnership building and leadership development. Babalola encouraged attendees to see Rotary not simply as a service organisation, but as a network capable of creating meaningful long term impact through collaboration and community leadership.
The South African visit also included a stop in Soweto, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s former home was officially named the global headquarters of an anti-hunger programme supported through a Rotary grant of more than R1.5 million. The initiative focuses on food security and sustainable community support programmes linked to vulnerable households in Soweto.
Babalola also attended the Business Network International Conference in Johannesburg, where he engaged with business leaders and entrepreneurs about opportunities for partnership with Rotary initiatives across Africa and internationally.
On 17 May, the focus shifted toward Rotary leadership development as Babalola and Katongole addressed incoming Rotary and Rotaract leaders attending the Presidents Elect Learning Seminar in Johannesburg.
More than 130 incoming leaders participated in the programme, which centred on strengthening clubs, leadership skills and long term community impact.
Participants described the atmosphere as energetic and highly collaborative, with discussions focusing on service, innovation and adapting Rotary for changing communities and younger generations.
“The energy, passion and commitment in the room reminded us that leadership is not about titles,” organisers noted following the event. “It is about service, courage and the willingness to create positive change where it matters most.”
The visit concluded on 18 May with a courtesy call at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and a radio interview with SABC Channel Africa before Babalola departed South Africa for Nairobi later that week.
For many Rotarians who attended the various engagements, the visit stood out not only for its formal programme but also for the accessibility and presence of Rotary’s incoming international leadership during a period of growing momentum across African districts.
