On the 24th of September, all roads led to the Windhoek Golf and Country Club for the University of Namibia Chancellor’s Charity Golf Day.
The event, hosted by the UNAM Foundation on an annual basis, aims at raising funds towards the University of Namibia’s Students’ Financial Assistance Fund, while creating valuable networking opportunities between the university and industry.
This year, a total of N$282,731 was raised through team entries as well as cash, and in-kind donations.
The Fund assists academically able, but financially disadvantaged students graduate and has over the years made huge impacts on the lives of many vulnerable students. Many of the Fund’s beneficiaries today occupy top and strategic positions in various public and private sector organisations, thereby making a real difference in Namibia’s economy.
A total of 18 teams entered with Old Mutual walking away with the winning prize. Ongos Valley took second place, while the STAG 1 team ended third. Mr. Willie Prinsloo walked away with the prize for nearest to the pin 3, while Mr. Reagon Graig and Mr. Antonio Gamito won nearest to the pin 9 and 17, respectively.
The golfing event has been gaining popularity amongst Namibia’s corporates with 47 local organisations and individuals sponsoring this year’s event. Apart from prizes going to the top three scores of the day, all other participating teams such as Sanlam Investments, STAG 1, Vivo Energy Namibia, Emona Student Residences, STAG 2, NamPower, Old Mutual, Green Global Services, Caremarque Pharma cc, MTN, Complete Enterprise Solutions Namibia, University of Namibia, Ongos Valley, FNB Namibia, Bank Windhoek Treasury, Mopane Assets Management (Pty) Ltd, and Bokomo walked away with prizes. As a demonstration of its belief in walking the talk, UNAM entered no less than three teams to do the walking…on the greens and in support of its Assistance Fund!
Mr. Ndangi Katoma, Executive: Marketing, Communications and Customer Strategy, was very proud of the winning team, emphasizing that “we at Old Mutual are guided by our responsible business ethos in championing a mutually positive future in everything we do. As education is a key focus area for us, we are proud to be associated with this great initiative to support disadvantaged students realize their dreams of tertiary education. In doing so, we networked and completed the competition well, finishing number one with 115 points and thus continue to Do Great Things Every Day”.
Cash or in-kind support came from individuals and corporates such as Vivo Energy Namibia, Old Mutual, Distell, Sanlam Investments, FNB Namibia, Ongos Valley, Build It, Gondwana, Spar Namibia, Allan Gray Namibia, Tsenaye, ABinBev, Shoprite, Hilton Hotel Windhoek, Coca-Cola Namibia, Trip Travel, Windhoek Golf and Country Club, Premiere Sports Trading, Namibia Dairies, Ninety-One Investments, Rent-to-Own, Ongodi Investments, Young Brazilian Football Club, Nutrifood, MTN, and Metro.
Vice President, His Excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, officiated at the event in his capacity as Chancellor of UNAM and pledged towards financially needy students. Also present were the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kenneth Matengu, UNAM Foundation’s Board Chairperson, Mr. Nelson Simasiku and other senior officials of the university.
According to Mr. Lazarus Nafidi, Corporate Communications Manager of VIVO ENERGY Namibia: “our company strongly believes in continuity and creating lasting impacts. It is, for this reason, we saw the Chancellors Charity Golf Day as an opportune annual platform to recommit ourselves to the plight of students”
He further mentioned that: “Our fuel pledges towards the operations of UNAM Foundation as well as prizes for participating teams are small guarantees towards helping accelerate the conveyer-belt producing suitably qualified and mentored young men and women in tertiary institutions, such as the University of Namibia. We believe that through our annual contribution, the Foundation will be able to grow the event and attract the participation of more corporate entities. This will enable the Foundation to assist even more students and eventually help unlock real social and economic benefits towards our country’s communities”.
“The day provided a great platform to meet and network with like-minded Namibian corporate entities that eventually and collectively mobilised and pooled resources towards the Students Financial Assistance Fund, which in our opinion is central to meeting the needs of economically disadvantaged students” elaborated Mr Lazarus.
The Director of UNAM Foundation, Ms. Bernadette Bock, expressed her sincere gratitude to all participants who contributed to the 2021 event, saying “all financial contributions will go a long way in providing students with the financial support that will guarantee their graduation”.
Twafiika Consultants supported in managing the event. The 2022 Chancellor’s Charity Golf Day is scheduled to take place next year September.
