The annual Vodacom Shop Celebrity Golf Day that was held on 7 November 2019 at Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Val de Vie Estate, managed to raise more than R600 000 in aid of one of Valcare’s members, the Good Hope Day Care Centre for disabled children.
The renowned golf day saw 128 golfers participate, including celebrities like Jean de Villiers, Heinz Winkler, Jacques Kallis and the current Mr South Africa, Heinrich Gabler. The funds were raised at the evening’s prize-giving dinner where various items were up for auction, and attendees had the opportunity to pledge donations.
Creating space for vulnerable kids to thrive
The funds received will contribute to building a brand new facility for the Good Hope Day Care Centre, that is currently run from a small home in Mbekweni, outside Paarl. Xoliswa Mjezu, the founder, currently looks after 21 special needs children and has a long waiting list. The new facility will be spacious enough to accommodate up to 50 children, and will conveniently be positioned on the grounds of the Hope Through Action Community Sports Centre in Mbekweni.
“The country is rightfully celebrating Siya Kolisi as a national hero right now, but Xoliswa is another hero that needs celebrating,” said the auctioneer, Matthew Pearce, clearly moved by her story.
“Good Hope Day Care is an extraordinary project with great potential. The centre is well-run despite their limited resources, but the reality is that they drastically need more space. Thank you to our partners, volunteers, donors, the golfers and celebrities who are collaborating to make this dream a reality,” says Ivan Swartz, CEO of Valcare.
The ultimate goal is for the facility to be fitted out with play areas, classrooms, an office space, kitchen, ablution facility, parking and landscaping. If anyone is interested in getting involved or contributing, please get in touch with the team at Valcare.
Valcare is the official social investment managers of the Val de Vie Foundation, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact of funds.
- To view Xoliswa’s moving sotry, click here.
- To read the official press release from Val de Vie, please click here.
- For an album with high-res images from the event, please click here.
