Latest news with #TheNorthCoastCourierOrphanFund
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Stylish Umhlali CC ladies golfers raise R25 000 for the Orphan Fund
One hundred and twenty-eight generous golfers teed off for underprivileged children at Umhlali Country Club (UCC) on Thursday. The ladies packed out the club to raise R25 000 for The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund at the UCC Ladies Charity Golf Day. Thirty-two fourballs, comprising players from around KZN, hit the North Coast to participate in the Putts, Pearls and Polka Dots medal and putts scramble drive competition. Sharon Bower, Estelle Elliott, Elmarie Brett and Carol Chamberlain of the 'Salt Rock Dotters' took home first prize with 88 points. Shelee Payne, Shaz Milstead, Ann Palmer and Jen Burnill of the 'Cruella de Vil Dalmatians' also scored 88 points but finished second. Third place went to Camelot Country Club members Gill Vermaak, Alet Minnaar, Marg van Dyker and Edith Sturgeon from Hillcrest. 'The Camelot Dots' scored 86 points. Shalene Edy, Lynley Watson, Lauran Cullen and Tanya Adams of 'The Sparkly Pearls' from Mount Edgecombe Country Club also carded 86 to take fourth place. UCC ladies' golf captain, Joan Solms, was delighted with the funds raised in the tournament raffle for a fourball – complete with golf carts – to play at the new Ernie Els golf course at Zimbali Lakes. 'This is a huge win for the Orphan Fund,' she said. 'We are truly thankful to all the sponsors who made this event possible, and grateful for everybody's generosity.' Chairperson of the Orphan Fund, Pieter Naudé, thanked the ladies for their generosity and UCC for hosting the charity day. He noted that since 2003, more than R7-million has been raised by the charity, but there is always more that can be done. 'The funds do not go to one specific orphanage. Rather, our organisation is a conduit for different charities and beneficiaries – people who do a lot in our community for orphans and vulnerable children. The Orphan Fund targets three areas: Education; feeding – which is one of the biggest needs – and, thirdly, special projects, where we help to build a structure, acquire a vehicle or collect clothing,' he said. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Launch of Ballito Toastmasters club offers pathway to public speaking success
A passion for public speaking lit up Ballito Hills as Toastmasters launched its newest club with powerful speeches, personal stories and calls for youth empowerment last week. The launch event highlighted the transformative power of Toastmasters International, with members sharing how the programme helped them overcome fear, build confidence and grow as leaders in both personal and professional spheres. Among the speakers was Todd Atterbury, who joined Toastmasters to overcome his fear of public speaking. 'I was very shy, but after joining Toastmasters, not only did I gain confidence, I smashed the lights out on that day,' he said, reflecting on his wedding speech. Each speech during the evening was followed by constructive feedback, highlighting strengths and offering ideas for improvement, true to the Toastmasters spirit of supportive growth. When it was story time, everyone giggled as Gareth Arnold shared his tale about the time he and his brother decided to skydive naked to celebrate his brother's birthday. In the end, he managed to land safely, with everything still intact. Charmaine Premlal, co-ordinator of The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund, spoke about the programme's potential to uplift youth. 'It challenges them, but also gives them positive feedback in a safe space. I've seen the impact personally, both my sons completed the seven-week course in Grade 10 and gained leadership and confidence,' she said. Premlal expressed hope that local businesses would sponsor underprivileged youth to join through the Orphan Fund. 'It would be fantastic if corporates could come on board to support this skills development opportunity,' she added. Toastmasters International is a non-profit organisation focused on building communication and leadership skills. With more than 270 000 members in more than 14 000 clubs across 150 countries, it remains a global leader in personal development. Members take part in structured speaking exercises, impromptu sessions and peer feedback, all aimed at building confidence and helping individuals achieve their goals. To join or for more information, contact Cindy Goniwe on 083 523 6409. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
