CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 12: President Jacob Zuma, ANC veteran Andrew Mlangeni and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa during his Presidential Golf Day Challenge on February 12, 2016 at the Atlantic Country Golf Club in Cape Town, South Africa. The Presidential Golf Challenge, hosted by the Jacob Zuma Education Trust, raises funds for a social responsibility initiative. (Photo by Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu)
Ramaphosa’s Presidential Golf Day set to raise millions for the poor
This year’s annual Presidential Golf Day fundraiser is a bit different. There is a new man in charge and the money raised is going to a different foundation.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 12: President Jacob Zuma, ANC veteran Andrew Mlangeni and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa during his Presidential Golf Day Challenge on February 12, 2016 at the Atlantic Country Golf Club in Cape Town, South Africa. The Presidential Golf Challenge, hosted by the Jacob Zuma Education Trust, raises funds for a social responsibility initiative. (Photo by Gallo Images / Frennie Shivambu)
While the State of The Nation (SONA) activities for this year seems to be dragging on due to the original postponement, there is still a fundraiser that needs to be had. The annual Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC) will be another first for President Cyril Ramaphosa this Thursday.
The PGC takes place with the sole purpose of raising funds for various charities that are specifically designated by the President at the time. The money is raised by creating a space for networking among the “big hitters” in the private sector as well as officials from the three spheres of government.
Now that Jacob Zuma is no longer President, the Ramaphosa foundation has taken over as the distributor of the funds raised.
“The initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Public Service and Administration, is a joint effort with the private sector to partake in developmental initiatives to empower society, with this year’s contributions to be made to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF),” ministry spokesperson Joe Makhafola said on Tuesday.
With the Budget Speech taking place on Wednesday afternoon, the President will have time for a reflective evening and another early morning walk before he hits the golf course on Thursday morning.
So what exactly is the Cyril Ramaphoa Foundation?
The CRF was known as the Shakunda Foundation until 2015. It was established by the Shakunda Group and its founder, Cyril Ramaphosa. The name change took place in 2015 and the foundation became an independent organisation.
According to the CRF website, the foundation’s goal is “to foster the development of an empowered, inclusive society.”
“Over the 13 years of its existence, the Foundation has had a meaningful impact on the economic and social development of South Africa. Together with its partners, it continues to make a tremendous difference in the lives and circumstances of many underprivileged individuals.”
While events like these have previously been overshadowed to due to certain individuals from the private sector “capturing” state officials, Thursday’s event is seen as a fresh start to build clean links between the sectors.
For golfers who want to know about the best putters out there, here is some additional reading.
