President of the Rotary Club Cape of Good Hope Koos Burger with Alderman Felicity Purchase and club secretary Bev Frieslich.
Alderman Felicity Purchase has been granted one of Rotary’s highest citations, with a Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Bev Frieslich, secretary of the Rotary Club Cape of Good Hope, said: “We believe that she is a true hero in every respect, and this recognition of her unfailing efforts for our community is a long time coming, and I am proud that the Rotary Club Cape of Good Hope has seen fit to recognise Felicity Purchase – a true daughter of the valley with a big heart – in the biggest and best way that we can.”
Ms Purchase is the mayoral committee member for transport and was intimately involved in the upgrading of the traffic intersection of the Glencairn Expressway / extension of Ou Kaapseweg and Kommetjie Road, including the project’s environmental impact.
In 1995, she became the councillor for Ward 64 and has since then served as deputy mayor for some time as well as chairperson for the South Peninsula’s Sub-council 19 for about eight years.
She has served on the committee for tourism, events and marketing and on the mayoral committee for economic development and tourism.
She has also been involved in the local chamber of business for 30 years and has had a business in Fish Hoek since 1975
She has also worked with security and disaster management.
“When there is a fire, riots or any emergency, Felicity and her teams of many volunteers are always there helping the people, sorting out supplies, finding alternative accommodation etc and doing her best to alleviate the fear, the cold and the hunger of both the adults and the little children as well,” Ms Frieslich said.