The regular December 7th, Thursday, luncheon meeting of San Saba Rotary was held at Pepperbelly's with 10 members, two students, and two guests present. Jacqueline Carlson, Rotary Secretary presided. Guests were Roy and Michele Newman of Lampasas. Recognized San Saba honor students present were Sheridan Haynes, a senior and Esperanza Valles, a junior!
Guest speaker was Rotarian Anne Vincent who showed safari pictures and gave stories from safaris in the countries of South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana. Zimbabwe and Zambia were shown with pictures of gigantic Victoria Falls flowing from the wide and wild Zambizi River. Actual animals observed and photographed at close hand from three different safaris in the various countries included lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, rhinoceros, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, Cape buffalo, crocodiles, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, baboons, wildebeests, antelope (impala and nyala) and wart hogs. Ms.
Vincent learned from safari guides that the hippo is considered the most dangerous of all African animals.
Vincent reminded the group of Nelson Mandela who led South Africa away from racist apartheid policies and into a modern day democracy. Mandela was the first freely elected black president of South Africa after being imprisoned 27 years and finally peacefully moving the country past segregation into the modern country of today. Mandela chose to serve as South African president for only one term. It was 10 years this past week since his death. The country has remained basically at peace since his election and is site of many wonderful vineyards and wineries, Krueger National Park, and the Kimberly Diamond mines.