Greetings, friends.
As we take a breather at the end of another long year, I would like to thank all members of the National Press Club for what was a challenging, yet rewarding year in many ways.
I am mostly glad that we have got our administration back on track, and for that I would like to thank the Executive Committee (Exco) and also single out Chantelle Gradidge and Lali van Zuydam for their unselfish willingness to help out when we lost our secretariat service.
A huge thank you to Deputy Chair Antoinette Slabbert for her support, ideas and leadership, especially at times when I was not able to carry out my duties as expected due to various reasons.
Of course praise and thanks must go to the entire Executive of the NPC for their collective decision—making and willingness to carry out duties beyond expectation.
Our finances are back on a sound footing and we are able again to meet our obligations with ease because of a number of innovative methods we employed to resuscitate our bank balance. Thanks to all involved.
It being an election year, we will have to come up with ways to reposition the NPC to ensure we are the platform of choice in the run-up to the elections. This means more hard work for the Exco, but I call on all the members to support us with ideas, contacts, physical presence and feedback.
This year we managed our activities very well, including networking forums, discussion evenings, media briefings, Newsmaker of the Year and the Percy Qoboza Memorial Lecture.
I thus wish to thank you all and pray that as you go into the year—end break, may you remain safe, blessed and favoured.
The next year will bring its own challenges but I have no doubt that together, working in team spirit with determination, wisdom, awareness, respect and humility, we should be able to take the Club to exactly where we want to see it.
Please enjoy your break with care, have fun responsibly and come back next year refreshed with a vibrant mindset and willingness to put shoulder to the wheel.
Blessings.
Jos Charle
Chairperson