The City of Johannesburg hosted its 9th annual Mayoral Charity Golf Day on Friday August 30 at the Houghton Golf Clubhouse.
Each year, the Mayoral Golf Day raises funds for the Johannesburg Mayoral Aids Fund which supports various HIV and Aids related charities and organisations. Since the Mayoral Golf Day inception in 2004, it has raised over R9 million for the Fund’s beneficiaries.
Mayoral Golf Day host, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Clr Parks Tau said, “That’s excluding what we’ve raised with this event. I’m very proud to report, this year we’ve raised more than R1 million for the Mayoral Aids Fund, with sincere thanks to participating Joburg’s businesspeople and sponsors.”
Established in 2005, the Mayoral Aids Fund acts as a conduit through which contributions and donations are distributed to the most vulnerable groups such as orphans, the elderly, child-headed households and destitute families.
The Mayoral Golf Day unites and bonds citizens in a worthy cause of improving the lives of people infected with and affected by HIV and Aids. In this spirit of doing well, the magnificent scenery, fairways and greens eagerly came alive as the four-ball teams contended against each other, spurred on by the fresh spring air and avid support from spectators.
The four-ball teams consisted of the Executive Mayor, Clr Parks Tau, General Solly Shoke, Ka Shabangu and Andrew Mlangeni.
At the prize-giving ceremony on Friday evening, representatives of the seven chosen beneficiaries received their much needed funding. They include, Philisa Isizwe Foundation R170 000, Family Worship Centre Hospice R183 333, Thusano Home-based-care Centre R170 000, Bethesda Caregivers R170 000, Gladmag HIV/Aids Hospice R90 000, Khanyisani Home Based Care R170 000 and Hospital Hill Community Project R130 000.
The Mayoral Golf Day and Mayoral Aids Fund are supported by the Johannesburg Aids Council (JAC). JAC, similar to the national and provincial Aids Councils, was established in November 2001 to advise the City on Aids related issues and campaigns, and to mobilise communities to support fund raising and awareness programmes.
“Like former president Nelson Mandela once said; ‘Aids is no longer just a disease, it’s a human rights issue’. With the Mayoral Golf Day, we visibly demonstrate our support in basic human rights, all HIV and Aids related issues and trying to change citizens’ behaviour for a healthier lifestyle,” concluded Parks Tau.
