The ideal was one of service as a group to others without regard to politics, religion, race or in any way the personal interests of the members. This was heralded as a departure from the trend, current at that time, of forming clubs basically with a commercial motive. A conference was convened with some twenty five independent clubs in attendance on June 7th 1917 and from this meeting, the Lions organisation was born.

The concept of Lions Clubs spread throughout the world and the first Lions Club formed in South Africa was in Cape Town in 1957. We are now approaching more than 50 years of our service to the communities of Southern Africa. Today there are some 1.425 million members in approximately 43,370 Lions Clubs in 180 different countries and geographical locations throughout the world. A tribute indeed to the testimony of one man's dream and the global need for service minded people to aid the one motto -

We Serve.

Lions Clubs Activities

The universal motto of every Lions Club is "We Serve". Whether helping the sight or hearing impaired...conducting drug or diabetes awareness campaigns providing recreational opportunities for the handicapped... sponsoring the research into the causes and the prevention of blindness... providing children with sports equipment or just a place to play...or raising funds to make it all possible, service always comes first for a Lion. That's why Lions Clubs International is not only the largest, but also the most active service club organisation in the world.

Assisting the elderly is just one of the many services offered by Lions Clubs International

Lions are...

LIONS ARE individuals that make up the world's largest and most active service club organisation.

LIONS ARE people who have decided to give something back to their communities, who are dedicated to seeking out people in need, and who meet those needs in an efficient, dignified and caring way.

LIONS ARE men and woman who believe that, by working together with other people and uniting in the bonds of friendship, they will be able to accomplish far more for their communities than would be possible alone.

LIONS ARE dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical and moral standards in their Club - and in their personal and professional lives.

LIONS ARE people who cherish the friendship of their own Club, and who also feel a close kinship with Lions of other nations in 180 countries and geographical locations throughout the free world.

LIONS ARE aware that the friendships made through Lionism last a lifetime because they are based on a common commitment to service.

LIONS ARE very serious about their commitment to humanitarian service, and certainly don't mind having a lot of fun and excitement along the way.

LIONS ARE ...or perhaps could be... someone just like you!

...yes, but what's in it for me?

There are so many benefits. For some it is simply to have a sense of belonging - or to be part of the team. For many there is the desire for altruism - the need to give to others. Opportunities abound where you can associate with new found friends and where the emphasis is pure fun. You will receive thanks from those you serve and from your fellow Club members too because you will have touched so many lives in need.

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES

Lions Clubs throughout Southern Africa are seeking people who want to make a difference in their community and who are prepared to invest a little of their spare time.

If you are a service minded member of your community and feel that you may have a little time to spare, please contact your nearest Lions Club or the Webmaster.

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Lions' Code of Ethics

To Show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service.
To Seek success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part.
To Remember that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another's; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself.
Whenever a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubts against myself.
To Hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.
Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, as to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labour and means.
To Aid others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy.
To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.

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Lions' Objects

TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding among the people of the world

TO PROMOTE the principles of good government and good citizenship.

TO TAKE an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.

TO UNITE the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.

TO PROVIDE a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided however that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.

TO ENCOURAGE service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.

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National Anthem of South Africa

♫Download the music here (in mp3 format)♫

Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.

Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,

Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.

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National Anthem of Namibia

NAMIBIA land of the brave
Freedom fight we have won
Glory to their bravery
Whose blood waters our freedom
We give our love and loyalty
Together in unity
Contrasting beautiful Namibia
Namibia our country
Beloved land of savannahs
Hold high the banner of liberty
 

Chorus:
Namibia our country
Namibia motherland
We love thee

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Prayer

Lord make me instrumental of thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is dispair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled, as to console, to
be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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Invocation

O God, who art Eternal Light and infinite Wisdom;
in whom we live and move and have our being,
we beg Thy blessing upon our deliberations
that we too may acquire true knowledge and wisdom,
and thus become more fit to serve
our neighbour, our Country and Thee,
Our Heavenly Father.

Amen

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The Lions Pledge

I pledge my allegiance to my country and to the cause of peace throughout the world.
I believe in the principals of Lionism as contained in the Lions Code of Ethics.
I am proud to be a Lion.
Dedicated to the service of others.

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The Lions Creed

A person who achieves success, who lives well, laughs often and loves much; who gains the respect of intelligent people and the love of little children.

Who fills a niche and accomplishes his or her task,
who leaves the world better than he or she found it
whether by a brighter flower, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul.

Who always sees the best in others and gives the best he or she has; whose life is an inspiration, whose memory is a benediction.

That person is a LION.

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