Golfing together to contribute towards education in Namibia
The power of partnerships
On Saturday, Nedbank Namibia relaunched its fundraising golf series under its new name, the Nedbank for Good Series.This golf series, which previously raised N$656 000 for the Autism Society of Namibia, will now extend its support to more institutions, initiatives, and projects, broadening its reach to support more social causes across the country.
Speaking about this new venture, Biniam Ghirmatsion, Executive for Wealth Management and Bancassurance at Nedbank Namibia, said that the bank is honoured to play the role it does together with its clients in uplifting communities and leaving a legacy of goodwill in all spheres of the country’s people. “We believe that this initiative will leave a lasting legacy to the communities which will benefit from it,” he said.
While the main aim of the series may be golf and hosting events of exceptional quality at golf courses across the country, Ghirmatsion said that the ultimate winners will be those who receive the money raised through the generosity of the golfing community. “This is something that all Nedbank Private Wealth clients aspire to do, and the Nedbank for Good Series provides us with the perfect platform to do exactly that.”
Beneficiaries
One of the first beneficiaries of the Nedbank for Good Series is the Rössing Foundation’s Mobile Laboratory for Science and Mathematics. The foundation supports the education in English, mathematics and science of pupils across the country who do not have easy access to education centres due to their remote locations.
Money raised from this year’s golf series will be used to replenish laboratory equipment, specialised tools, and chemicals. Given the large number of pupils who have challenges meeting the minimum requirements for tertiary education admission, this investment into the education sector is invaluable.
Rössing Foundation executive director Uparura Kuvare said that it was encouraging to see corporates committing to their cause to better equip Namibian children for the future.
“To date, the mobile laboratory has visited 62 schools across the country, delivering experiential learning to over 30 000 students. The renewed commitment from Nedbank and its partners will enable us to reach more rural schools, which are experiencing challenges such as limited access to educational facilities, particularly laboratories for science-based experiments,’’ Kuvare said.
This year the focus is on reaching 8 000 learners and 300 teachers in rural schools across the country, specifically Arandis, Ondangwa and Tamariskia.
Commitment
The Nedbank for Good Series, with a clear commitment to giving back to Namibian communities while furthering the game of golf, has also expanded its reach by proudly introducing a women’s section to the series this year.
“Our goal is to empower more members of society by expanding access and providing educational resources,” said Dan Zwiebel, owner of DZ Golf and organising partner of the series. “I believe that success begins at the grassroots level, and education is critical to the upbringing of our children.”
While most of the money raised this year will go to the Rössing Foundation, participating golf clubs can ask for financial support for charitable causes in their communities.
“With the funds that we are raising through charitable auctions at the Nedbank for Good Series events, we wish to see a portion ploughed back straight into the communities in which the series has an indelible footprint. Participating golf clubs can therefore submit requests for funding towards charitable causes within their communities,” Ghirmatsion said.
Teeing off
“We intend on being the greatest supporter of golf in our country, and the ten events at golf courses across the country during the Nedbank for Good Series, as well as our country’s largest golf event, the Nedbank Desert Classic, epitomises this quest of ours.
“The fact that we are elevating the women’s section of the Nedbank for Good Series during the 2023 season reflects our desire to see the sport grow and broaden the scope of participation. As a result, given that the primary focus will be on supporting and expanding the Rössing Foundation mobile laboratory's visitation schedules to schools across the country, we'd also like to see how Nedbank experts can help with financial literacy education and governance training to school boards in conjunction with the school visits,” Ghirmatsion said.
The golf series, together with the Rössing Foundation mobile laboratory, are two excellent examples of how corporate entities can work together to reach out to Namibian children, contributing to national development aspirations and making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.
The ten-part series hosts golf days on the following dates:
• Saturday, 13 May: Gobabis Golf Club
• Saturday, 3 June: Oranjemund Golf Club
• Saturday, 24 June: Tsumeb Golf Club
• Saturday, 22 July: Mariental Golf Club
• Saturday, 5 August: Oshakati Golf Club
• Saturday, 26 August: Rossmund Golf Course
• Saturday, 2 September: Henties Bay Golf & Lifestyle Estate
• Saturday, 9 September: Walvis Bay Golf Club
• Saturday, 23 September: Windhoek Golf & Country Club
• Friday 6 October: Omeya Golf Club on Friday.
Collaboration is essential in community development because it improves results and outcomes by mobilising scarce resources. The Nedbank for Good Series is cosponsored by DZ Golf, M+Z Motors, AfricaOnline, The Gondwana Collection, Engen Namibia, Imperial, Safintra Roofing, Namibia Breweries Limited, Pupkewitz Megabuild, Zebra Trailers and the official media partner, Future Media.