The Protea Club of London is a gathering of ex residents of Southern Africa now living in and around London, Ontario and friends of the region who maintain a keen interest in what is happening in that part of the world.

A Brief HistoryIn 1983 Jack and Norelle Longhurst moved to London, Ontario from Ottawa where they had been active members of the South African Association. Looking for a house and finding nothing to their liking, they eventually selected and bought a house on Stoneybrook with a huge back yard; "a lovely place for a braai" was the way Norelle justified the purchase. It took them until the summer of 1992 to hold their first braai with about 30 "Whenwe's" that they had met during the course of time. It was decided to do it again the next year and the bush telegraph started working. Strangers phoned begging for an invitation and the logistics became too much for Jack and Norelle to handle alone. A steering committee was formed and subsequently the Protea Club of London, Ontario was constituted with Paul Ziegler as the first chair. There were incidents of rain and everybody crammed into the garage while Craig Napier kept on braai-ing under a hastily erected tarp and the "Johnny-on-the-Spot" not fitting through the gate but always a delightful afternoon. The event continued to be held at the home of the Longhurst's until 1996 when it was moved to the Elsie Perrin Williams Estate and has been held there ever since. At first boerewors was purchased in Toronto, later commercial spice packets were brought back by members from South Africa and a local butcher prepared the wors under strict supervision. We are now mixing our own spices, at first strictly according to a proven recipe but tweaked and improved by the committee to ensure global enjoyment.

Annual Activities Braai The highlight of the year is the annual "braai". It is usually held the sunday after Labour Day, normally the second sunday in September at the Elsie Perrin Williams Estate in London. At this event boerewors and skaaptjops are braaied on the traditional half 44 gal. drums and the grid is cleaned with the back pages of the Sunday Times for that authentic flavour. Families bring a variety of typical SA salads to enjoy with the "pap en vleis" and the meal is concluded with traditional desserts (melktert and koeksisters). To enhance the ambience, selected malt beverages (unfortunately the LCBO has stopped stocking Kasteeltjies & Leeuplesier) and choice wines from the Cape are served for enjoyment of the connoisseur. That this event touches the spot is evident in that in 2002 braai celebrated its 10th anniversary and that the maximum capacity of 150 persons has been exceeded in some years with people coming from places like Windsor, Toronto and the United States.

Cheese & Wine
Periodically held in a members house.

Annual General Meeting
Usually the Sunday after the Super Bowl in Chaucer's Restaurant.