A skilled contingent of 107 Correctional Services officials from all six regions of the Department brought their A game to the National Golf championships hosted at Middelburg Country Club, Witbank Management Area under Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West region from 20 to25 October 2024. This year’s edition was extra special as it saw 13 female golfers, the highest number to date, taking part in the championships.
The dedication, grit and passion were apparent from day-1 as the teams strode across the course terrain and river banks, swinging from hole-to-hole, each player with their handicap as they wiggled through a course unknown to find a hole in pursuit of gold.
“No two courses are the same,” reiterated Area Coordinator Corporate Services, Smangele Masango as she welcomed the teams to Middelburg. This proved true as many balls were left in the river stream to be ducked by the ducks and also in the 13th hole which swallowed most balls. This did not deter the golfers from gunning for top spot throughout the championships.
The gathering also presented an opportunity for the elections of a National Executive Committee which will be responsible for future golf tournaments. It was also an occasion to bid farewell to veteran golfers who have completed their professional course in DCS employ.
Thereafter, golfers celebrated their hard work over a sophisticated gala dinner to present medals to the participants, announce the new NEC and award the champions for 2024 as well as the national squad which will represent Correctional Services against external teams.
Newly elected President of Golf in DCS, Donovan Wiggil thanked the team for the discipline and good behaviour displayed throughout the week. He emphasised the need for more women participation in the sport and appealed to everyone to recruit female officials for the next championships. “Remember the true spirit of the tournament, namely sportsmanship, camaraderie and unity,” concluded Wiggil.
As per usual tradition, the golfers donated R15 000.00 to Bonginhlanhla Stimulation Centre, which houses 65 children with disabilities. The Centre Manager, Ms Lindiwe Nkosi thanked DCS golfers for their generosity and indicated that the donation will contribute to the sustainability of the Centre.
Witbank Management Area acting Area Commissioner, Mandla Gwambe congratulated the players and motivated them to keep the sportsmanship alive. “Your passion for golf is evident. Therefore, share your skill with future golfers so that when you retire, you can give the baton to them and keep the spirit of golf alive,” he said.
Tournament results and selection to the national teams are as follows:
| National Squad ladies’ team | |
| Surname and initials | Region |
| Le Grange N | LMN Region |
| Nkosi GPN | KZN |
| Ntsibande C | Gauteng |
| Williams NP | EC |
| National Squad Men’s team | |
| Surname and initials | Region |
| Smit F | LMN |
| Viljoen JC | KZN |
| Felix M | WC |
| Jacobs SW | LMN |
| Mahlangu FL | GP |
| Banda RM | FS & NC |
| Naidoo CN | WC |
| Kleinhans ME | WC |
| Schefermann B | KZN |
| Meleane MJ | LMN |
| Nqoko N | KZN |
| Nero M | KZN |
| Khan SM | GP |
| Van Staden J | GP |
| Kriel JR | GP |
| Mortlock R | WC |
| Team event winners | |
| Western cape | 34.00 |
| Gauteng | 33.00 |
| Free State and Northern Cape | 32.86 |