With another week to go before the first player tees off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Charity Golf Day on 20 October, the Mark Headbush Foundation, already managed to raise R1 million in pledges.
Mainly sponsored by Engen, Standard Bank, ABSA, Sanlam and Adreach at this stage, this event will be held at the beautiful Port Elizabeth Golf Course. Other sponsors also chipped in with smaller contributions to this worthy cause.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk said another first for this charitable showpiece is the ringfencing of 20% of the proceeds that will be used to support talented and deserving golfers from previously disadvantaged areas.
“As an avid golfer myself, I know that it is really difficult to overcome the barriers to entry in this sport as the green fees, equipment and travelling cost adds up to a lot of money.
“The Mark Headbush Foundation, will now, in addition to their early childhood development projects and other charitable causes, use the funding to support these players.
“I recently had the pleasure of meeting Candy Africander, a prodigious young golfer, who gave up golf because she did not receive the necessary support. As a junior golfer she managed to compete well on a provincial and national level but could not break through the barriers.
“Luckily for us, she was convinced by her former coach to play at a Women’s Day event, this year, at the makeshift Varsvlei Golf Course, where she won convincingly.
“My office managed to highlight her story and she received a donation of golf clubs to get back in the game again. Since then she also got a job at the PEGC, this very golf course.
“We want to hear many more success stories and I am sure that we will be able to change the lives of young men and woman, praying for an opportunity to regularly play on the beautiful courses we have in our city.
“I used to dream of playing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Charity Golf Day and received an invitation three years ago. This year it will be my pleasure to host this important event. I am therefore very excited,” Mayor Van Niekerk said.
The inaugural Nelson Mandela Bay Mayoral Charity Golf Day was held at the Humewood Golf Course in 2005 until 2016. Since then it has been hosted at the Port Elizabeth Golf Course.
Mr Mark Headbush, founder of the foundation, said the event grew steadily over the years and managed to raise R5 million for charity over the years.
“We focus on early childhood development as it is an important platform for children to reach their full potential.
“It is therefore important that entrepreneurs with creches must be adequately skilled to ensure that the value chain is not compromised with below-par education.
“We invite all stakeholders, sponsors, and community members to join us in this noble cause. Together, we can build a brighter, more promising tomorrow for the children of our Metro,” Mr Headbush said.
Mayor Van Niekerk is also planning to build driving ranges in the Northern Areas and the townships to give previously disadvantaged players the best possible opportunity to practice and sharpen their skills.
Future projects by the Mark Headbush Foundation include:
- “AlphaNumeric” – a literacy and numeracy programme.
- “Techie Trekkers – the provision of digital literacy resources and education.
- Veggie Garden Project – developing agricultural skills to help build more food secure communities.
- Golf Transformation – The transformation of the sector by ensuring that more black golfers and enthusiasts play an active role in the sport.
- Institution Enhancement Initiatives: Just as the foundation has done over the years, it will continue with renovations and improvements of educational facilities to create conducive learning environments.
Prospective sponsors are welcome to contact Charity: +27 67 805 5591
NMB Communications
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