As South Africans commemorated Human Rights Day, parliamentarians took to the greens for the annual golf day, uniting in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
The event, sponsored by several organisations, including the Sekunjalo Group, was held at the Kuils River Golf Club on Friday morning.
Parliament Golf Club secretary, Dr Peter Daniels, explained that the club was originally established before 1994 and was primarily for members of Parliament, as well as ministers and deputy ministers.
“They were members at Milnerton Golf Club, where they played regularly. In 1994, Andrew Mlangeni continued the golf club’s legacy, and it was then opened to all parliamentary staff. Later, we extended our membership to include members of the provincial legislature and local government.
“We are affiliated with the South African Golf Association and the Western Province Golf Union, meaning that if a player performs well, they can be selected for the Western Province team and potentially even the national team,” he said.
Out of the club’s 140 members, 128 attended the event.
Dr Daniels noted that they rely heavily on sponsors to support the club.
“We need support from companies like the Sekunjalo Group. It’s not that well advertised, which is why we really appreciate Independent Media coming on board to help raise awareness. Ideally, we would like to expand and make it a full-day event.
“We generate funds to cover our own administrative costs and expenses. Additionally, we donate funds annually to charities and NGOs. A few years ago, we contributed around R20 000 to the Boland region.”
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and the club’s captain, Alvin Botes, highlighted the significance of the event coinciding with Human Rights Day.
“The most important issue on Friday was commemorating Human Rights Day under the theme of 'Deepening a Culture of Social Justice'. We must never forget that on 21 March 1960, 69 people, most of them women and children, were shot in the back by the apartheid state. Our struggle is also a struggle against forgetfulness.
“As the Parliamentary Golf Club, we gathered to express unity and reflect on our shared history, exemplifying unity in diversity. This event is about networking, engagement, and strengthening partnerships with NGOs and social partners involved in human rights discourse.
“And of course,” he added with a touch of humour, “I am the club captain of the South African Parliamentary Golf Club and, probably, the most skilful member of President Ramaphosa’s National Executive.”
South African civil rights movement Not In My Name's secretary-general, Themba Masango, said their partnership with the parliamentary golfers was aimed at shining a light on the country’s GBV crisis.
“Femicide in South Africa is five times higher than the global average. Gender-based violence is a scourge, and even the president has called it a second pandemic.
“We want to send a strong message to men in particular, urging them to be mindful of how they treat women and children, and how they engage with one another. We must eliminate inflammatory, misogynistic, and patriarchal language, creating an inclusive country. There’s no better opportunity to highlight these issues than in a gathering of men.”
Non-profit organisation, Sister Basha CSI, founder Basha Tlhapane, said they were honoured to be invited to participate.
“Our organisation exists to address the gap between private and public healthcare. Many children wait years for life-saving or life-changing procedures, but we aim to change that through our platform.
“Some children, particularly those injured in pedestrian or motor vehicle accidents, require urgent medical care that their families simply cannot afford. Beyond medical treatment, we also focus on the overall well-being of these children, many of whom experience prolonged hospital stays and complex surgeries, affecting their normal upbringing.
“Our latest programme ensures that these children receive holistic support — not just medical care, but emotional and social development, allowing them to integrate back into society as best as possible.”