Columbus Stainless, member of the Acerinox SA Group of Companies hosted another successful charity golf day event with the aim of raising funds for 16 local organisations in Middelburg and surrounding areas. 

The popular day which has become a sought after event in the business and golf calendar was held at Middelburg Country Club and Columbus CEO, Mr Johan Strydom hosted 180 golf players from different provinces around the country. The Columbus CEO Charity Golf Day was launched in 2015 and hosted biennially in support of four charities and donations of R160 000.00 (one hundred and sixty thousand rand) was given in 2015, 2017 and 2019. A decision was taken in 2021 to open the event and three hundred and thirty five thousand rand (R335 000.00) was donated to eleven charity organisations. 

Following the successful charity golf day hosted on Friday, 04 March 2022, Columbus Stainless CEO, Mr. Johan Strydom and General Manager – Human Resources & Corporate Affairs, Mr Jo Mabhena handed over R600 000.00 (six hundred thousand rand) to sixteen charity organisations. The balance will be deposited into the Columbus CEO Charity Fund which seeks to identify more charity organisations and implement community projects. Bethesda House of Hope (a school and hostel facility that caters for children with severe disabilities) has been identified as the first project that will be supported by the fund in 2022. The facility has suffered massive dilapidation which has put children in a safety compromised condition. The renovations and rebuilding of the laundry facility at the venue will be prioritised in the next coming few months. Other projects will be identified through detailed project management plans and engagements with different organisations. 

A very emotional Strydom could not hold his tears as commitments from different stakeholders came through for the support of the identified project “The implementation of these projects is very close to my heart, our people need help. Columbus in partnership with its customers and suppliers will endeavour to leave a lasting legacy in this community”, he said. He further thanked all sponsorship companies for all the donations they have committed with specific mention of all Duplex Sponsors – Packsolve, Macsteel VRN, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), C.Steinweg, Nashua, Darkling Industrial Metals, Gibela Rail, J & L Linings, Bearing Man Group and Rand Mutual. 

The beneficiaries of the Columbus CEO Charity Golf Day 2022 are Paul Mthimunye Bursary Fund, CMR Middelburg, Rose Buds, Nasaret against Drug Abuse, Vukanethemba, Ride for Change, Live Love, Bethesda House of Hope, Burn Survivors South Africa, By Grace Feeding Scheme, Hlanganani Crèche & Feeding Scheme, Middelburg Hospice, Dee Foundation, Middelburg Outreach Centre, Greater Nkangala Rehab Centre and Local Football Association.