The University of Venda (UNIVEN) hosted its impactful Vice-Chancellor’s Winter Golf Tournament on Friday, 4 July 2025, at the prestigious Killarney Country Club in Johannesburg. More than a celebration of sport, the event was a powerful fusion of philanthropy, networking, and purpose, dedicated to raising funds for over 3,000 UNIVEN graduates who remain unable to access their certificates due to historic student debt.
The tournament brought together an inspiring mix of business leaders, alumni, and changemakers, all rallying behind a common mission to rewrite the future of South Africa’s youth by supporting access to education. In his remarks, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UNIVEN, extended warm gratitude to the sponsors, participants, and supporters. He spoke passionately about the university’s role as a transformative force in higher education, highlighting its 43-year legacy of academic excellence, community engagement, research and innovation.
Prof Nthambeleni noted that UNIVEN currently serves over 16,000 students, supported by nearly 1,000 staff. While 75% of students are funded through NSFAS, the remaining 25% the “missing middle,” often struggle to afford education. Many complete their degrees but can-not receive their certificates due to unpaid fees, a situation that directly affects their abili-ty to seek employment. With a current student debt burden of R480 million, the Vice-Chan-cellor and Principal stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to support these students. He commended the golf tournament, launched in 2022, as a strategic initiative not only for fundraising but also for building partnerships and promoting student-centred support.
Reaffirming UNIVEN’s commitment to inclusive access, Prof Nthambeleni proudly shared that the university has scrapped both financial exclusions and application fees, pioneer-ing bold policy changes in the higher education sector. He called on business leaders and alumni to join the university in creating sustainable solutions, including internships, bur-saries, feeding schemes, scholar adoption, research funding, and infrastructure develop-ment. Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he reminded guests that “true living begins when we care for others beyond ourselves,” reinforcing the call for collective responsibility in empow-ering the next generation. He concluded by expressing gratitude to SABC Media practi-tioners and their production team for showcasing the university’s vision and commitment.
The event’s Prize Giving Ceremony was lively and engaging, led by Tourna-ment Captain Mr Dodge Sadiki, who thanked all players and sponsors with hu-mour and warmth. Sponsors included Absa, Fundi, Ashburton, and many more.
Some of the winners
Golf awards were presented for outstanding performances. Takalani Musandi-wa claimed first place with 44 points, followed by Muhluri Mahime with 41 points, and Dodge Sadiki in third position with 39 points. The ladies’ winner, Bianca, scored 40 points, while Phumlani Njilo won Longest Drive on Hole 5. Nearest to the Pin went to Muhluri Mahime and Rally Razwinane on Holes 6 and 7, respectively.
The evening’s programme was facilitated by Dr Takalani Dzaga, Director of Market-ing, Branding, and Communication, who acknowledged the contributions of the 35 spon-sors. These were divided into four sponsorship tiers: Gold (Absa as the sole spon-sor), Silver (two sponsors), Standard (13 sponsors), and Four-ball (19 sponsors). Dr Dzaga expressed deep gratitude for their generosity and belief in the university’s mission.
Delivering a congratulatory message, Stanley Godi, representing ABSA, shared his appreciation for being part of the event. He applauded the university’s lead-ership, participants, and organisers for their dedication, especially in cold weath-er conditions. Godi reaffirmed ABSA’s support for education and its commit-ment to closing the gap for “missing middle” students. He noted that golf itself fosters cognitive development, discipline, and inclusiveness, and expressed eager-ness for future tournaments, particularly in Limpopo, where conditions are warmer.
Mr Botwe Kraziya, UNIVEN’s Chief Operating Officer, also took a moment to thank Dr Dza-ga and his team for orchestrating a well-organised and impactful event. He expressed deep appreciation to longstanding supporters, donors, and business partners, highlighting the positive impact of their contributions on students’ lives. Emphasising the university’s com-mitment to being student-centred despite challenges, he acknowledged the role of exter-nal accommodation providers and suppliers in supporting students beyond academic ac-tivities. The concept of shared value was emphasised, encouraging ongoing partnerships that go beyond transactions. He closed by thanking attendees for their presence and sup-port, encouraging them to stay connected through the university’s social media platforms.
As the tournament concluded, the message was clear: UNIVEN’s Win-ter Golf Tournament is not just a game; it is a vital engine for social change, access to opportunity, and a brighter future for South Africa’s youth.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
