Maqonda Ndlovu
Heinrich Schmidt and Wilna Bredenhann were crowned the 2023 Nedbank for Good Series winners on Friday at the Omeya Golf Course.
Schmidt took the top honours by scoring 44 points, while second place was taken by Weitz van Niekerk with 40 and Desmond D’Emiljo in third with 38 points.
Bredenhann scored 44 points ahead of Tiekie de Wet who was second with 37 while Claris Chipfupa was third with 37 points as well.
Speaking at the awards ceremony on Saturday, 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 was an enormous contribution to the lives of young Namibians.
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 aim to bolster our work as it relates to science-based learning in schools. We want to bring about a scheme that is expanded so as 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.
A total of N$250 000 was raised for the Rössing Foundation.
Nedbank Namibia’s head of Private Wealth Cornell Meeks said previously, the fundraising golf series had raised N$656 000, which benefited the Autism, 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 the Rössing Foundation’s mobile laboratory had reached 62 schools (30 000 students), and this year’s focus was touching the lives of 8 000 learners and 300 teachers in the rural areas of Namibia.
Friday’s event was the culmination of the 2023 series, which kicked off in February at Omeya, with over 700 golfers participating until the final event at the same venue.