About Round Table
What is Round Table?
ARTSA - the Association of Round Tables in Southern Africa - consists of all the Round Tables of Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. The main aim of Round Table is to enjoy fellowship with people from all walks of life, as well as organising fund raising events and community activities.
Summary
"Round Table Southern Africa is a non-political, non-denominational association of young men between the ages of 18 and 40, embracing representatives of nearly every profession and occupation, whose objects encompass the encouragement of high ethical standards, the promotion of social intercourse and fellowship among young professional men, the quickening of individual interest in everything affecting the public welfare, and the promotion of understanding amongst peoples of different cultural, language and political backgrounds."
Round Table History
Round Table started in England in 1927 when the Prince of Wales said "The young business and professional men of this country must get together round the table, adopt methods that have proved to be so sound in the past, adapt them to the changing needs of the time and, whenever possible, improve them."
The Founder of the Round table Movement
The first Round Table was formed in Norwich, England in 1927. The founder, Louis Marchesi, was a young member of Norwich Rotary Club who felt a need existed for a club where the young business men of the town could gather on a regular basis. At their meetings they could exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of their colleagues and play a collective part in the civic life of Norwich. From a very early stage it was agreed that Round Table would be a non-religious, non-political club and this has continued to this day. Round Table now flourishes in the majority of European countries, throughout Africa, the Middle East, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand and America. In fact Round Table is represented in every continent of the World. Dr David Smith, who had been a Round Tabler in Bath, England, settled in East London, South Africa and joined Rotary. He started the first Round Table in South Africa in November 1948. In 1951 the Association of Round Tables in Southern Africa (ARTSA) was formed. The first National Conference was held in East London in 1951 with Noggs Newman as its first National President. There are now 200 Round Tables in ARTSA comprising some 1750 members.
Aims and Objects:
- To develop fellowship among young men through the medium of their professional and business occupations;
- To emphasise the fact that one's calling offers an excellent medium of service to the community;
- To cultivate the highest ideals in business, professional and civic traditions;
- To recognise the worthiness of all legitimate occupations and to dignify each his own by precept and example;
- To foster responsible citizenship and loyalty to their Country;
- To further the establishment of peace and goodwill in international relationships;
- To further these objects by meetings, lectures, discussions and other activities.
