Presidential SONA Golf Challenge Dinner to promote education funding
President Jacob Zuma is to officiate at the Presidential Golf Challenge dinner fundraising dinner, an annual event hosted by the Department of Public Service and Administration, (DPSA), following the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The DPSA hosts a Presidential Golf SONA Golf Challenge and a Presidential SONA Gala Dinner each year after the SONA. The sitting President identifies a charity of his or her choice to which the proceeds of the fundraising event should go. President Zuma has chosen the Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust as the beneficiary.
The golf event and dinner affords the President an opportunity to emphasise the role of business in economic development and growth using education as a tool for sustainable development and economic growth. The networking opportunity between decision makers in the private sector and government also allows for corporate social event alignment that seeks to make education for the poor a reality.
The Jacob G Zuma RDP Education Trust was formed in 1995 by its Patron, the President, who was a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal at that time.
The Trust started its work in KwaZulu-Natal, and has since extended its footprints to the Eastern Cape and the Limpopo Provinces. It is intended that within three to five years, learners from all nine provinces will benefit.
During its 21 years of existence, the Jacob G Zuma RDP Education Trust has benefited more than 20 000 learners. Currently, it is supporting 900 learners and students at tertiary and basic education levels.
The Trust depends, mainly, on donations and sponsorships to advance its objectives including among other areas:
- To increase access to educational opportunities for disadvantaged children, particularly in rural areas;
- To target and offer opportunities in higher education to promising youth from rural areas, with a passion for self and community development;
- To link its efforts with those organisations sharing a similar vision; and
- To sensitise graduates and professionals, from rural areas, to the need for their professional input in the development of their communities.
The Trust has paid for the education of more than 20000 children and youth since its inception.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 12 February 2016
Venue: Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town.
Time: 19h00
Media attending the event must please send names, ID/Passport numbers to Olebogeng Kgasi at OlebogengK@dpsa.gov.za or on 076 672 9524
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
E-mail: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
