Our Upcoming Speaker

Mentoring Restores Meaning

If variety is the spice of life, then Erika Calitz brings a special flavour to the enterprises in which she is involved. These include the legendary Donkey Trail and the Retreat at Groenfontein.

On Wednesday 7 October at 10.00 at the DR Church Helderberg, 82 Firmount Road, Monte Sereno Somerset West, Erika Calitz will tell the audience how she came to establish the legendary Donkey Trail in the Swartberg Mountains and will share several stories from the trail.

From her schooling in Germany where her father was a military attaché, to the Army Military College and time in military intelligence, to journalism and a research consultant with Renwick International. Then motherhood took her to the remote foothills of the Swartberg “to raise her children, far from the madding crowd”.

Here she became aware of the plight of fatherless children, notably boys, in the rural community of Groenfontein and surrounds. Soon she found herself embarking on an informal social welfare programme to foster a sense of belonging, stewardship and mentorship among these young people. Her success in this venture has been recognised by the Dutch Reformed church, SAPS and Cape Nature, but most importantly, it led to her establishing the now renowned Donkey Trail.

Erika’s CV lists her interests and activities as responsible tourism, nature conservation and community education and development – a reflection of her care for both our planet and her fellow man.

Members enter free of charge; visitors pay R20 at the door.

Enquiries: Denise Fourie 072 2111173