Round Table Seychelles is 41 years old |17 March 2014

Round Table Seychelles celebrated 41 years since its inception on March 13, 1973.
It is an affiliate of Round Table – an international charitable organisation founded in Norwich, United Kingdom, in 1927.

The Round Table has since spread to around 60 countries including Seychelles. It is a men’s organisation run by young professionals and entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 41. In Seychelles it was first set up 41 years ago by Serge Pool, owner of Docklands building and Modern Printing Services situated in the Docklands.

Round Table Seychelles has had many young professionals or entrepreneurs as its chairman in the past and they all had to retire at the age 41 years.

The current chairman is Shantilal Dhanjee who this month took over from Vincent Kim Koon who had been in the post for one year, since March last year. The post of chairman is only for one year. The aims and objectives of Round Table Seychelles are:

1. To develop the acquaintance of young men through the medium of their professional and business occupation;
2. To emphasise the fact that one’s calling offers an excellent medium of service to the community;
3. To cultivate the highest ideals in business, professional and civic tradition;
4. To recognise the worthiness of all legitimate occupations and to dignify each his own by precept and example;
5. To further the establishment of peace and goodwill in international relationships;
6. To further these objectives by meetings, lectures, discussions and other activities.

Celebrating Round Table International Day, its president Moffat Nyirenda called on all members worldwide to reflect on what Round Table has done to them and their communities.

He also asked them to question themselves on what they are doing to grow and secure the sound future of Round Table.
Round Table Seychelles chairman Shantilal Dhanjee said the organisation has helped and contributed a lot in helping people from different walks of life in the community.

“We have even helped individuals for example on medical grounds which we evaluate and if it meets our criteria, we help them. For that we depend on sponsors and fund-raising activities and this is why we have the Regatta every year which is our main fund-raising activity. This year we will have the 39th Regatta,” he said.

This year’s Regatta has been scheduled for September 26-28 and lottery tickets will go on sale in April. Details of the lottery prizes will be announced later.

The proceeds of this year’s lottery will go towards caring for cancer patients in Seychelles. Mr Dhanjee said that with the rise in the number of cancer patients in Seychelles, they will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health so as to identify the needs, be it in equipment, training of staff or even bringing cancer specialists to help cure patients. This is one of their future activities, but already two years ago Round Table donated prostate diagnostic cancer equipment to the Ministry of Health.

“We have used the money raised from the 2013 Regatta to help in different projects. We did not have a major project but we are helping in setting up an IT room at the Beau Vallon community centre at their request and also help with the Beau Vallon promenade project because we use this area for our fund-raising activities and so we want the place to look nice and attractive so that we can use it along with other organisations for years to come. This is our contribution to the Beau Vallon community,” Mr Dhanjee explained.

Apart from organising the annual regatta, Round Table Seychelles also hosts sponsored walks and charitable dinner events as means to raise funds.
The Round Table Seychelles has only 10 members. A few years back it had 19 and according to its chairman, the drop is related to young professionals or young entrepreneurs being very committed to their jobs or businesses.

“I know it’s very demanding, tiring and it takes a lot of your time and it’s voluntary but with perseverance one can overcome this and I launch an appeal to anyone wishing to join Round Table Seychelles to contact any of our members,” he said.

He added that newcomers will be invited to attend at least three committee meetings to see if they are really interested to join Round Table Seychelles.

Compiled by Patrick Joubert