Following the sanction by His Majesty King Charles III on 23rd January 2025, Stuart Waetzel has been promoted to Bailiff Grand Cross. This is the most senior grade within the Order, awarded to those who have demonstrated the utmost integrity, loyalty and devotion to the Order of St John.
Stuart Waetzel is highly respected and completely devoted to the Order, particularly in his role as Chancellor of the South African Priory. With over forty years of service to the Order and those it serves; Stuart draws on his extensive knowledge to further the mission and vision of St John South Africa.
Stuart’s proactive and inclusive leadership style has been evident throughout his service, especially in the last four years. During this time, St John South Africa responded to significant shortcomings in critical controls, undesirable behaviour, infrastructure collapse, and economic uncertainties. Stuart implemented changes to incorporate King IV principles for NGOs, terms of reference, and mandates for various committees across St John South Africa. This improved strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, organisational sustainability, and service innovation.
As a result, Stuart generated positive impact, strengthened and brought together many locally led St John establishments around a common vision of supporting commercial business growth. This enabled the Order to bring its value of togetherness to the forefront of all interactions.
Stuart is a highly experienced governance executive with over twenty-six years of experience in the corporate sector, having worked with South Africa’s largest bank. Alongside his professional career, Stuart has a deep connection to volunteerism, particularly in health and community service.
Stuart joined St John South Africa in 1983 and became Chief Commissioner in 2007. He was appointed Chancellor in 2024. Stuart’s business acumen has contributed to establishing sound governance practices, and he proactively chairs the South African Priory Board.
A great testament to Stuart’s character is his ability to bring people and ideas together to achieve outcomes for the Order and those it serves. Stuart has been integral in establishing strong collaborations between paid staff and volunteers, uniting to become one St John with a common purpose and single vision.
Under Stuart’s leadership, St John South Africa has significantly advanced its business development initiatives, such as First Aid, Eye Care, and Home-Based Care. These initiatives target the largest segment of the population with affordable services.
Stuart promotes inclusion, recognising and celebrating the inherent cultural, socio-economic, faith, and gender diversity amongst the people and communities of St John. He has furthered the organisation’s direction with reconciliation and encouraged equitable gender representation at all levels within the Priory.
Stuart’s unselfish service, excellent advice, and selfless commitment to the Order and its people, as well as his devotion over forty two years, align with the values of the Order of St John.
Our Lord Prior, Professor Mark Compton, offered his sincere congratulations to Stuart on his promotion to Bailiff Grand Cross.
