March 5, 2004
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
SOME of the golfers pacing out the 18 holes of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in Linksfield made their debut at the Mayoral Charity Golf Day.
A buoyant Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, the Speaker of the Johannesburg City Council, was finding the experience thoroughly enjoyable. She had just hit the sweetest shot on the 10th hole, landing eight metres from the pin. Then her subsequent putt stopped just short of the hole. "I'm enjoying every moment of today," she said, adding that although she watched golf regularly both on television and at some courses she had not played before.
The Speaker was one of the more than 100 participants playing in the inaugural Mayoral Charity Golf Day this week, organised by the City's Treasury Department.
Golfers taking turns to tee off
City treasurer, Jason Ngobeni, said the aim of the event was to form closer ties between City of Johannesburg officials and the captains of industry - from Absa, Mvelaphanda, the Public Services Commission, Citibank, EM Consulting and Sage - and, of course, to raise funds for the mayor's charities.
Most of the golfers were enjoying the outing, and if they did not play like the pros they certainly looked the part in their two-tone shoes, Pringle and Nike socks, comfortable trousers and navy Joburg-branded t-shirts.
Beginners were given a sporting chance, being allowed to play off the ladies tee.
Among the more accomplished participants were Ralph Mgijima of the Public Services Commission and Robinson Ramaite of Tokyo Sexwale's Mvelaphanda.
City Power CEO MK Mohlala decided to sky his shots … perhaps a novel way of testing the overhead electrical cables. Another golfer that found the going rough was City Manager Pascal Moloi, who handled the difficulties of the course with good grace, commenting "Ag - that was not good at all" as a shot landed short.
He was not alone. The City's executive director of finance, Roland Hunter, also had a torrid day: "I'm here because Ngobeni and his department insisted. I can't play this."
Commented Mayathula-Khoza: "This is a nice lazy day. The environment helps give you peace of mind, something I don't normally get that in the office." An added bonus was that it was for charity, she said. "That sharpens everything."
She praised the caddies, who spent much of the day coaching their charges. "You'd be surprised at how brilliant these guys are. They seem to know everything."
At the end of the long day the host, executive mayor Amos Masondo, put in an appearance to thank everyone for participating and present a cheque for R121 500, raised by the golf day, to the Ethembeni Children's Home in Doornfontein.
For those who played their first ever game of golf this week, they now have a year to practise because the event is to be held annually. It will be formally known as the Treasury Department Mayoral Charity Golf Day.
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