Sishen Classic Charity Golf Day raises R2.6 million for community upliftment

Supplied|Published 4 months ago

A player in action at Sishen Classic Golf Day. Picture: Supplied

THE SECOND annual Sishen Classic Charity Golf Day, hosted by Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore at the Kalahari Country Club was a landmark event. Raising an impressive R2.6 million to support youth-focused initiatives in the Kathu region, the day combined a love for golf with a strong commitment to community development.

The charity event was designed to create lasting change in the lives of local youth by addressing critical challenges such as access to specialised education, mentorship, and life skills development. Through uniting stakeholders around a shared purpose, the initiative demonstrated the power of collaboration in driving meaningful social impact.

“This event exemplifies our commitment to uplifting our communities and forging strong partnerships that amplify our impact. By working together, we can invest in meaningful change and transform lives,” said Tracey Vollmer, communication and events specialist at Sishen Mine, Kumba Iron Ore.

The funds raised will directly benefit five organisations dedicated to empowering local youth namely Kathu Combined School, Sprout Academy, Rethusa Bana NPO, Bethlehem ECD Centre and Kalahari Eye Warriors.

Reflecting on the day, Jean du Plessis – senior operational manager at Komatsu – which was title sponsor of the event, shared his thoughts on the initiative. “Our partnership with Kumba Iron Ore allows us to expand our reach and impact, ensuring that young people in our communities have access to the resources they need to thrive,” he said.

Sponsors and participants raised a combined R1.18 million, which was matched by Kumba’s Exco team with an additional R1.2 million. Proceeds from auctioned collector items contributed to the total, reflecting the collective generosity of all involved.

Sponsors for the day included local and established companies, such as:

Komatsu, Fedatech, Epiroc, Motshini, Otraco, Barloworld, BME (Omnia Group), Kele Mining, KPC Consulting, Excell Mining, AND310, Tshepa Basadi, Kalahari Dust a side, and DeNovo.