Kisnan Tamatave elected Red Cross president |15 March 2016

Praslinois Kisnan Tamatave is the new president of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS).

Mr Tamatave received 26 votes during Saturday’s election and the newly elected vice-presidents are Audrey Adam and Gerry Henri.

Four ordinary members were also elected and they are Harry Dingwall, Genevieve Figaro, Martje Figaro and Marylene Chang Him.

The election is held every three years and this time there were 28 members of the society present to vote.

In the presence of former RCSS president Chrystold Chetty, Citizens Engagement Platform of Seychelles (Ceps) chairperson Jules Hoareau, members and volunteers of the society among other guests, outgoing president Barbara Carolus Andre, who has completed six years, read out the reports of the society for the years 2013-2015.

This was followed by a presentation by the outgoing secretary general Collette Servina. The approved audited financial report 2010/2011 and financial report for the years 2014/2015 were also presented.

Mr Tamatave said “to be elected president of the national society is of course a very great honour but much more importantly confers on me an enormous personal responsibility.”

He joined the RCSS as a youth representative for the Praslin branch and was later elected its chairperson.

Mr Tamatave was elected vice-president of the national committee at the last general assembly.

He added: “As such I have gained experiences and ethics which are also helping me in my professional field.”

Mr Tamatave also highlighted the leadership role within the Red Cross and some of the challenges and opportunities of the national society.

Mrs Carolus Andre said her six years have been a period of consolidation of the governance and management and volunteers that make up the structure of the Red Cross.

For her biggest achievement she said: “I was there to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the society and I have been with the society for the past 25 years, so seeing it grow from there to now, and to be part of where it is right now is amazing.”

There were also presentation of awards and certificates.

Seven national committee members received shields, two dedicated volunteers – Steven Esparon and Augustin Pooda – were rewarded and one RCSS staff received a long service award as she joined as the administration officer to later occupy the post of Mahe branch coordinator.

The award went to Karine Ernesta who also received a voucher worth R1,500 sponsored by La Perle Noir restaurant.