Nedbank for Good Series to tee off next week
THE fifth instalment of the Nedbank for Good Series is set to kick off on 16 March at the Omeya Golf Club, with the grand finale set for 4 October at the same venue.
In a media release made available to this publication, Nedbank Namibia said the Nedbank for Autism Series tournament had rebranded last year to Nedbank for Good Series after raising N$656 000 for the Autism Association of Namibia during its initial threeyear tenure.
“Even though the Nedbank for Autism Series had become a household name, we thought it was time for a change, hence the rebrand to Nedbank for Good Series. Through a wider description, we can support several charities should the need arise,” Dan Zwiebel, owner of DZ Golf and the organising partner of the series, explained.
“We reach approximately 70% of all listed golfers throughout the 11-event series. But every year, we strive to grow. Last year, we added the ladies’ section, which saw a major influx of female participants in the series. Having 45 ladies participate in the 2023 series was a major accomplishment, and we look forward to building on it,” Zwiebel said.
In a show of commitment to developing local golfing talent in Namibia, Zwiebel adds that this year’s series will include golf clinics at four of the events as part of the organisers’ quest to grow the game and identify new talent.
Last year, the Rössing Foundation was the primary beneficiary, raising a remarkable N$250 000 to aid pupils and teachers in rural areas with limited access to educational resources. Uparura Kuvare, executive director of the Rössing Foundation, underscored the profound impact of these contributions on the educational advancement of the nation.
This year, the players will battle it out in aid of Agra ProVision. Theo Ickua, manager of the organisation, expressed excitement ahead of this year’s event.
“Agra ProVision’s involvement in the Nedbank for Good Series will mean that underserved communities will directly benefit from the agricultural training, services, and support that Agra ProVision provides,” Ickua says.
Beyond its charitable aspect, the Nedbank for Good Series serves as a showcase for Namibia’s top golfing talent, and the increasing number of participants reflects the initiative’s impact.
The spirit of inclusivity in this series is reflected in the past winners, who have hailed from all corners of the country.
Kyle Johnson from Walvis Bay Golf Club won the inaugural series in 2020, followed by Emile Vilbert from Walvis Bay Golf Club in 2021, and Kiewiet Dreyer from Gobabis Golf Club in 2022.
Last year, Wilna Bredenhann from Henties Bay Golf & Lifestyle Estate won the first-ever women’s final, while Heinrich Schmidt from Windhoek Golf & Country Club took the men’s top honours.
Biniam Ghirmatsion, Executive for Wealth Management and Bancassurance at Nedbank Namibia, expressed the bank’s honour in playing a role in uplifting Namibian communities while furthering the game of golf.
“We believe this initiative will leave a legacy for the communities that will benefit from it. We intend to be the greatest supporter of golf in our country, and the 11 events at golf courses across the country during the Nedbank for Good Series, as well as our country’s largest golf event, the Nedbank Desert Classic, epitomise this quest of ours. We’ve already managed to raise a whopping N$906 206 for these worthy causes, and we’re aiming to reach the N$1 million mark midway through this year’s series,” Ghirmatsion concluded.