Statement by Patricia de Lille – GOOD Leader
2 December 2019
Golf Day with champions to raise money for the victims of gender-based violence
Today, in partnership with the SA Women’s Shelter Network I hosted a golf day to raise funds for the network which helps women who are victims of gender-violence.
Our country has been reeling from this scourge where each day women and girls are being abused and killed by men.
As a country we need to stand together and take action to rid our communities of this evil.
There are many NGO’s who are doing vital work to tackle this scourge but often they lack the resources to do their work effectively and to assist more women.
Despite many of organisations facing financial constraints, these organisations are there as a lifeline to help women in need by providing a safe haven and giving women a second chance in life.
As part of my contribution to fighting gender-based violence, I have teamed up with the SA Women’s Shelter Network again to help them with their critical work.
I am a firm believer that men must lead the cause to take a stand and act against gender-based violence.
We must also teach young boys from a young age to respect women and to teach them that women are their equals. Often young boys are pampered and certain actions of young boys are condoned “because they are boys”. This is the culture that we must stamp out and entrench in boys from a young age that women must be nurtured, loved and respected.
Today, I played with two young champion golfers who are making their mark in the sport and acting as ambassadors for our country all over the world.
Traigh Pathon, is a 9 year old from Cape Town who is fast becoming a national golf prodigy.
At the age of four, he competed in his first South African Kids Golf tournament. For the last two years, he placed in top 10 at the US Kids Golf European Championship. This year Traigh placed in top 5 at the Africa Junior Challenge which attracted young golfers from all around the world. In local tours, playing with SA Kids golf he’s won 5 out of 8 tournaments and placed in top 3 out of the rest.
His dream is to play in the PGA Tour and become the world number one.
Traigh’s shared his message on women and gender-based violence: “I believe that women are the key to the future. My mom works so hard to ensure that I get the tools I need to develop my talent. I hope that women in South Africa are protected and kept safe.”
We were also honoured to have with us today, 8-year-old Simthandile “SimTiger” Tshabalala.
He started playing at the age of 4 years old but only started competing 12 months ago and has already won more than 30 trophies.
“Sim Tiger” has already represented South Africa multiple international tournaments. Some of his achievements include winning the U.S Kids Winter tour Championship 2019 and winning 6 out of 6 U.S Kids local tour golf events for the current season.
He also achieved a Top 10 Finish in the Kids World Championships 2019 in USA and being the only non-American in the top 7.
“Sim Tiger” is ranked 7th in the World and has won more than 30 titles in the last 12 months.
He has been involved in charity work by donating school bags to children in Diepsloot and has also donated his old golf clubs to a kid from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The funds raised today will make a contribution to the good work that the SA Women’s Shelter Network is doing to help women get out of abusive relationships and claim their lives back. I wish to thank the organisation for their selfless work and I hope that this funding will help them empower more women.
ENDS