Monday, August 12, 2013 - Maggie Tinsman "Rotary Friendship Exchange"
Posted by Johanna Smith
on Aug 08, 2013
Rotarian Maggie Tinsman had the opportunity to join the Rotary Friendship Exchange to beautiful South Africa from April 17-May 8, 2013. She traveled with 10 Iowa Rotarians from District 6000, staying in the homes of South African Rotarians and representing the Davenport Rotary to people in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, George, and Kruger National Park.
During her visit she saw the horrible poverty represented by the Black townships initiated by apartheid and Robbins Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for over 20 years. He, with the African National Congress, ended apartheid and Nelson became the President of the Republic of South Africa. Mandela kept the country from having a bloody civil war and is considered almost a Saint by all South Africans. Also during her visit, Maggie saw beautiful Cape Town with its multiple wineries and witnessed the turbulent Atlantic Ocean joining the calmer India Ocean at the Cape of Good Hope. One of the most outstanding adventures was spent in Kruger National Park on a safari where she, along with the group, saw more animals than ever including the big five: elephants, cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, and hippos. Additionally, the group saw zebras, giraffes, warthogs, hyenas, baboons, greater kudu, wildebeast, impalas, and five different species of eagles and vultures. It is amazing how important South Africa is and how involved Rotary is in making her a better place to live. Join us on Monday to hear more on Maggie’s travels and experience with the Rotary Friendship Exchange to South Africa.