The University of Venda hosted the Vice Chancellor Summer Golf Tournament in Killarney Country Club, Johannesburg, on Friday, 24 November 2023, as part of the University’s initiatives to raise funds to support the missing middle students. The Vice- Chancellor and Principal, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni, marked the official tee-off at 10h30 flanked by high-ranking officials, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor Corporate Services, Dr Robert Martin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning, Prof Eucebious Lekalakala-Mokgele, Chief Financial Officer, Mr Botwe Kraziya , and golfers.
Many golfers, donors, sponsors, alumni, and friends of the university united in their diversity, braced off the blistering heatwave to attend the tournament. It was a four- ball alliance tournament in which all sponsors were given an opportunity to play on the 18-hole golf course. The teams had different tee times, with the first team at 11h13, the last team at 12h43, and the tournament ended at 18h15.
The tournament brought together golfers from across the provinces of Limpopo and Gauteng in a manner similar to what former president Nelson Mandela once said: ‘’Sports has the power to unite people in a way that little else does’’. Sport is, and will always be, a leader in creating opportunities. Hosting the tournament has also afforded the university an opportunity to deepen relationships with its alumni and business partner.
The tournament was followed by the gala dinner in which prizes for the best teams were awarded.In his welcoming remarks during the dinner, UNIVEN Chief Financial Officer, Mr Botwe Kraziya implored and lobbied those in attendance to support students without NSFAS and any other form of funding to enable them to finish their studies.
Prof Nthambeleni, in his remarks, encouraged the business industry’s extraordinary goodwill to support needy and academically deserving students. “Some of you have walked with the University of Venda for the last 41 years, and some have joined us along the way. We appreciate the loyalty and the relationships we have built over the years. The University is deeply grateful for the timely response and generous
contributions, and we appeal to our alumni and corporate companies to continue to support us towards raising funds for the disadvantaged students.’’The tournament captain, Mr Rally Razwinane spoke briefly about the type of play and announced the top ten four ball alliance teams that won. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Nthambeleni flanked by Dr Martin and Prof. Lekalakala-Mokgele, handed over awards to the winners. The champions of the 2023 Vice-Chancellor Summer Golf Tournament are a four-ball alliance team of Omar Hassan, Zubair Sader, Feroz Sabi and Harith Moerat, who won with 93 points.
On behalf of all sponsors, Ms Mpolokeng Botipe from Nedbank thanked the University for giving them an opportunity to be part of an impactful initiative. ‘’We know it will benefit the students towards a great future. I firmly believe that after this day, many private companies will join hands to support the University’s mission of changing the lives of financially needy students. A public and private sector partnership is a solution to changing students’ lives.’’ During the UNIVEN Vice-Chancellor Summer Golf Tournament Prize Giving dinner, commitments were made by several participants including corporate companies to invest in the University.The Chairperson of Council, Mr Juneas Lekgetha, thanked and appreciated the support from different sponsors for considering funding UNIVEN’s needy students. He told golfers and sponsors that their contribution would go a long way because it intends to positively impact the lives of disadvantaged students.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 / 8710
Date: 01 December 2023
