The young talented South African came fourth in the Australian Open and is ranked 14th worldwide… but took time out recently to have a game of golf and a chat with our President.
Western Cape, South Africa (17 February 2020) – A number of personalities have hit the greens with President Cyril Rhamaposa at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge, but few are quite as noteworthy as Simthandile – SimTiger – Tshabalala.
That’s because, at just eight years old, SimTiger is not only South Africa’s youngest top golfer but he’s also one of the most talented, as affirmed by the significant number of trophies from both local and international tournaments he has amassed in the last year since he started playing professionally. In fact, SimTiger left South Africa last year to take part in the Australian Open Golf Championships in which he came fourth – and, with a global ranking of number 14 in his age category, he’s sure to keep South Africa’s flag flying high.
It must be daunting playing against someone who is just 8-years-old but ranked as 14th in the world, however, there was nothing wrong with the President’s tee shot as the 66-year-old sent a crisp drive down the first fairway, drawing a stirring round of applause from the large gathering of media, government and business leaders.
But the ice-cool Ramaphosa also answered questions while in play.
“Social compacts have an important role to play in South Africa’s development,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“What makes me thrilled is to see all of us living up to the concept that it is when we all work together through social compacting that we will be truly successful. That is when South Africa will be truly successful,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday.
The 2020 Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC) raised contributions in support of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, which is an independent Public Benefit Organisation. The Golf Challenge is hosted annually by the Department of Public Service and Administration following the State of the Nation Address (SONA). The golf challenge is also a partnership between the government and sponsors that generates funding for developmental initiatives.
The foundation implements programmes to develop education, youth and vulnerable children and women. It also implements its mission through the following partner entities: Adopt-A-School Foundation; Kagiso Shanduka Trust (KST); Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust and Black Umbrellas.
Funds raised at the golf challenge will be committed to sanitation projects at schools across the country through the Adopt-A-School Foundation as part of the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative.
The initiative aims to provide innovative, safe ablution facilities for the 3 898 rural and township schools, where sanitation has been found to be inadequate or unsafe.
The Adopt-A-School Foundation further piloted the Thari programme whose objective is to provide schools and communities with a safe environment that is free from violence, is academically effective, inclusive, and gender-sensitive while promoting health and well-being for all.
“KST proves that mutual partnership is possible between government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations. I am pleased that together, Adopt-a-School and KST are working in almost 500 schools and have benefited over one million learners,” said the President.
Thanking sponsors, the President said it is through the joining of hands that the developmental needs of citizens will be met.
“Our vision is to realise a dynamic, transformed and accessible schooling environment that produces capable global citizens to meet the developmental needs of Southern Africa. This can be done, this is being done, through your support,” said the President.
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