Lowveld Nomads tee it up for charity

Every year, Nomads clubs throughout SA host various charity initiatives. It is the vice captain’s duty to co-ordinate the fundraising events and to select qualifying beneficiaries to support.

Its involvement in the community and the assistance of those less fortunate are epitomised in the words of the Nomads creed, taken from the renowned extract of The Meditations of John Donne (1573-1631): “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind, and therefore should never send to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.”

“One of the most important objectives and our reason to be associated with Nomads Golf is the collective spirit from all our members to raise funds for charitable purposes and for recognising those less fortunate than ourselves,” said Johan Janse van Rensburg, chairperson of the 2022 Andrew Mentis Committee and vice captain of the Lowveld Nomads.

In line with this, Mr. Andrew Mentis started the foundation in 1967 to channel the funds generated for distribution to worthwhile causes on a project-by-project basis. Nationally, since inception, the Andrew Mentis Endowment Fund has raised and donated just under R50m to charities, while locally, the Lowveld Club has raised more than R3.7m during the 26 years of its existence.

It is important to understand that all Nomads fundraising activities are directed at specific projects and programmes – no monies are paid to support the running of organisations or to assist with general administration. All funds raised are donated in the form of tangible assets, upon which the Nomads emblem can be displayed.

Each year, every club’s activities culminate with the ceremonial handover of a pledge to the selected charities at the annual Andrew Mentis Golf Day, which is open to guests and potential sponsors by invitation. This day gives invited guests, including women and juniors, an opportunity to experience the Nomadic camaraderie and purpose at its finest.

The 2022 Lowveld Nomads Andrew Mentis Golf Day was held on Sunday at White River Country Club with a field of 132 players, which included 72 full and prospective Nomads and 60 guests.

Through the efforts of the Andrew Mentis Committee, with several fundraising initiatives and auctions, more than R350 000 was raised during the year. During the prize-giving ceremony, presentations were made to each of the selected beneficiaries.

White River Hospice:

A non-profit organisation established in 2001 by the Rotary Club of White River. They specialise in quality home-based palliative care, which they have provided to residents over the last 20 years.

They have identified the development of a step-down/inpatient care facility (adjacent to Hospice House) that will focus on and be of service to short-term-stay patients – including those suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. A donation to the value of R130 000 was handed to Hospice White River, represented by Helen McMurtrie and Terran Gericke.

White River SPCA:

A non-profit whose objects include the prevention of ill treatment of animals by promoting their good treatment by man, to take cognisance of the application of laws affecting animals, and to do all things reasonably necessary for or incidental thereto. The society performs an important health and welfare function for animals and the wider community.

The following projects were aided: upgrading of animal welfare facilities (cattery) to enable adequate services to the community, a Wendy house and animal handling equipment. A donation to the value of R90 000 was handed to White River SPCA, represented by Estelle de Villiers and Wendy South.

Huis Betlehem:

They provide a place of safety to traumatised children removed by social workers from various social organisations, who are then placed by the Children’s Court in their safe care. The children, aged from birth to 18 years, can stay for a short or longer period in these houses. Since 1999, they took care of more than 400 children.

They have identified the need to upgrade the security (cameras and motorised gates with an intercom system) at both the houses in White River and Mbombela. Some much-needed maintenance needs to be done to maintain the standards set in terms of the laid-down CYCC requirements. A donation to the value of R130 000 was handed to Huis Betlehem, represented by Lindi Meyer.

None of this would be possible without the generous donations from the Lowveld Nomad members, their companies and business partners, as well as several local businesses and individuals who open-heartedly donated something to help raise funds.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people in our community, and very thankful. I have exceeded my initial target and am so glad we can give that something extra,” said Johan Janse van Rensburg.

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We thank the following people and businesses for their support:

• Arthur Douglass
• B&H Irrigation
• Babata Pumps
• Bidvest Rental
• Bonanza Equipment
• Bruce Norris
• Continuity Administrators Group
• Chemicorp
• Civicon Consulting Engineers
• Clive Worthington
• Crop Shade
• Derrick Short
• DHL
• Donald Pearce
• Doug’s Hiring
• Du Toit Smuts & Partners
• Earth Digital Productions
• Emnotweni Casino
• Eugene du Preez
• Ferro South Africa
• Glenbrynth Whisky
• Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate
• Hi-Q Nelspruit
• Jadenelia Farm
• Jason Davis
• Johan Janse van Rensburg
• John Stephen
• Keegan Phelan
• Keith Kirton
• Kellaprince
• Kimren Pather
• Kishugo Holdings
• KMI Airport
• Knights Fencing
• Kruger Park Lodge
• La Mer Petroleum
• Liquor City, Nelspruit
• Long Tom Toboggan
• Lowveld Trading Solutions
• Lowvelder
• Lubisi Consulting Engineers
• Luigi Colmanet
• LVM Insurance Brokers
• Malelane Stene
• Mary Kirby
• Maurice Meyer
• Meps & Plastic Man
• Mike Field
• Misty Mountain Lodge
• Multiknit/Knittex
• Neoberry
• Nevills Clothing
• Nhlumi Vallei
• Ntobe Solutions
• NTT Toyota
• Palm Motors
• Paul Wood Marketing
• Piet Roux
• Plantwise White River
• Pull Scar Timber Co
• Puso Maloka
• Ralph Kirsten
• Rob Valentyn
• Robson Macadamias
• Ronald Ncube
• Rovino – Cloof Wine Estates
• S&N Enterprises
• SAB National
• Salsa Mexican Grill
• Savanna Private Game Reserve
• Scotsman
• Shane Davies
• Siyalima Boerdery
• Sizamanzi Pipe & Fittings
• SPAR DC
• Taylormade
• The Jock Pub & Grill
• The Pro Shop, Nelspruit
• Thea Janse van Rensburg
• Thomas Tyres, White River
• Tommy Rogers
• Two Ships Trading
• Ulusaba Game Lodge
• Ulusha Projects
• Upper Deck Sports Café and Grill
• Vodacom
• Vuyile Resha
• Warren Goosen
• White River Garden Pavilion
• Yesile
• Zwane Sambo Inc