Janice du Plessis from Maroela Media on the golf course. (Photo: Christine Oelofse/Maroela Media)
The Woodhill golf course in Pretoria was teeming with fourball teams on Wednesday at Maroela Media’s golf day for the benefit of prospective journalism students.
A total of 132 players in 33 teams packed the leafy green golf course to raise money for Maroela Media’s study fund, which is used to give future journalists a chance to study in this field.
The study fund is administered by Solidarity Helping Hand Study Trust, which manages more than 220 study funds on behalf of various donors.
More than 8,000 needy students have already been assisted by this trust with almost R500 million.
While students are studying, they repay the interest-free student loan at a minimum amount of R100 per month. They pay back the balance as soon as they start working, and so other students get the same opportunity again.
“It is important to encourage the next generation of journalists to take up journalism,” says Annelize Brits, project manager of the Maroela Media golf day.
The golf course was packed. (Photo: Christine Oelofse/Maroela Media)
At last year’s golf day, more than R200 000 – enough money for two journalism students’ studies – was collected, hence the decision to do the same this year.
“What’s fantastic about this year’s golf day is that we had about twice as many hole sponsors and teams as last year. It just shows us how many people believe in the cause,” says Brits.
“The journalism industry is faced with some challenges, such as social media and artificial intelligence, but we want to encourage a new generation of writers and content creators to practice true journalism with integrity, facts and knowledge.”
Tanya Kitching, fund manager of Maroela Media’s study fund, says it is a belt under the heart to be part of an initiative that helps young people with a passion to realize their dreams.
“We don’t just help the student – it has a ripple effect on the student’s entire family,” she explains.
Logged in and ready to play. (Photo: Christine Oelofse/Maroela Media)
On the golf course, the Everest Wealth team were the day’s best players. Ruan Nienaber, Riaan Grobler, Neels Kriel and Cassie Steenkamp walked away with the laurels with 103 points.
Mia Slabbert and Pottie Marnus Kruger were the masters of ceremony who made sure things ran smoothly.
According to Eugene Lottering, project and marketing manager at Maroela Media, this year’s enthusiastic participation in the fundraising event was “overwhelming”.
“Last year we had a successful fundraiser in golf day terms, but this year we filled the golf course and sold out every available place. This says something about people’s heart towards the media and journalism, especially in Afrikaans. People don’t always realize how important it is to have an Afrikaans media house with good journalists.
“We want to inspire young people to study journalism, but then we also want to help them make it possible.”