The induction of the South African golfing legend and international sporting icon, Gary Player, into the South African Hall of Fame on 6 November was ushered in with an afternoon handover of a donation by Caxton Local Media to the Mazibuko Professional Golf Academy at Sun City.
The R30 000 donation was given to the academy in order to support and expand its vision of developing golf within marginalised communities located in the Moses Kotane municipality.
Long-time caddy turned golf instructor, Peter Mazibuko, last year launched the academy under the auspices of Sun City Resort and Casino.
Its aim is to fight the scourge of drug abuse affecting youngsters living in disadvantaged communities. Caxton Local Media’s CEO, Jaco Koekemoer was on hand to deliver the donation. Mazibuko expressed gratitude for the generous donation, adding that it would go a long way towards assisting its current crop of beneficiaries.
“I’ve currently got 26 kids aged between six and 12 years of age attending the academy.
“My plan for next year, however, is to go to different schools in order to get some more kids [involved in the academy].” Mazibuko added that parents, too, have given positive feedback in terms of how the programme has impacted on the lives of these youngsters.
“Everyone in the community is happy. I’m also getting support from parents because they say they’ve seen positive changes in their children since they started coming to the academy.”
Katlego Ratshefola (12), who is among the 26 children enrolled in the academy, said that learning to play golf has been an enjoyable experience that has taught her self-respect and confidence.
“Before playing golf, you need to have self-respect and confidence knowing that you’ll be in front of people, and doing things in front of them. I’ve applied self-respect at school because most learners do not show self-respect and discipline, and so I personally try to comply with the rules of my school.”
It is as a result of Caxton’s commitment towards honing a successful partnership with the South African Hall of Fame that culminated in half of the proceeds made from the Caxton-launched Gary Player Times being donated to the Mazibuko Professional Golf Academy.
ALSO READ:
Watch: SA golf legend Gary Player is now a Hall of Famer
Star gaze at Parkview golf club and see the solar system’s second largest planet
Gary Player receives widespread praise