Nedbank for Good Series raises N$250 000 for Rossing Foundation

The 2023 Nedbank for Good Series, which concluded on Friday at the Omeya Golf Club, saw a total of N$250 000 being raised for the Rossing Foundation. 

The final saw Heinrich Schmidt and Wilna Bredenhann being crowned the 2023 champions of the golf series in the men and women’s categories respectively. 

In the men’s category, Schmidt took the top honours by scoring 44 points, while second place was taken by Weitz van Niekerk with 40 points, and Desmond D’Emiljo in third with 38 points. In the women’s category, Bredenhann scored 44 points ahead of Claris Chipfupa and Tiekie de Wet, who both 37 points to tie for second place.

Speaking at the prizegiving ceremony held at the Nedbank Campus on Friday evening, Schmidt said the tournament was excellent as everything was well organised.

“My strategy was to manage the course well and just play my normal game without taking any chances. The weather was very hot as compared to the windy weather two weeks ago when I won the Windhoek leg of this tournament,” he said.

On her part, Bredenhann said she was happy with her win.

“I am happy that I won today. The older I get, the better I am at this game. It was one of the best rounds of golf that I have ever played. I was struggling with my drive the past few months, but today, everything fell into place,” she said.

Both winners said playing for a charitable cause, which is supported by the Nedbank for Good Series, was the highlight of their careers as it made a big contribution to the lives of young Namibians.

At the prizegiving ceremony, tournament organiser Dan Zwiebel paid tribute to all the participants, including players, managers, golf clubs across the country, caddies, groundsmen, and sponsors, among others, for contributing to this event.

“The Nedbank for Autism Series was an event that we ran for three years. We raised valuable funds, which we channelled to that cause. After three years, we decided to do a name change, as we felt that there are so many charities that need our support, which is why we moved to the Nedbank for Good Series in support of the Rössing Foundation,” he said.

The Executive Director of the Rössing Foundation, Uparura Kuvare, said this year’s contribution received through the Nedbank for Good Series will reach the intended beneficiaries, who are the learners.

“There has been appreciation of our work in these communities, and thanks to Nedbank and the golf fraternity, we are looking forward to 2024, when we bolster our work to science-based learning in schools. We want to bring about a scheme that is expanded to reach more learners at schools. For the teachers and learners, it was a great year, and we hope the results for the 2023 examinations will be positive at the 41 schools that we reached so far,” he said.

Nedbank Namibia’s Head of Private Wealth, Cornell Meeks, said previously the fundraising golf series had raised a total of N$656 000, which benefited the Autism Association of Namibia over its three-year stint, but has now expanded horizons to embrace more institutions, initiatives, and projects across the country.

“The Rössing Foundation plays a pivotal role in nurturing the educational growth of pupils nationwide, especially those in remote areas who struggle with limited access to educational resources. The funds raised in this year’s series will breathe life into their laboratories. The Nedbank for Good series illustrates how corporate entities can join hands to reach out to the Namibian children, contribute to our nation’s development, and imprint a deep impact on the lives of those who need it the most,” she said.

She added that this year’s focus was touching the lives of 8 000 learners and 300 teachers in the rural schools across Namibia.

Friday’s event was the culmination of the 2023 series, which kicked off in February at Omeya. The tournament saw a total of 700 out of 1 100 active golfers participating in the 10-round golf series. 

The 2023 Nedbank for Good Series was sponsored by Pupkewitz Motors as the official vehicle supplier, Future Media as the official media partner, and co-sponsored by AfricaOnline, Engen Namibia, Safintra Roofing, Gondwana Collection Namibia, CB Enterprises, Zebra Trailers, Pupkewitz Megabuild, Windhoek Lager, and Imperial.