The SAB Caddies Educational Trust aims to give children of local golf caddies and the caddies themselves the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to further their education. The fund was established after Alec Erwin and Johnny de Lange conceptualised the idea with Tony van Kralingen, who undertook to initiate the Fund during the Pilsner Urquell SuperSport Shootout in May 2006. Tony pledged to match, rand-for-rand, donations from participants. ABSA, SuperSport and Selwyn Nathan immediately rose to the challenge and pledged additional funds to the trust.
In 2007and again in 2008 the pledges made by the attendees of the Pilsner Urquell Supersport Shootout were matched by SAB, Supersport and ABSA. The Trust has also benefitted from some large donations made by Zanosi Kunene, Peter Vundla, Pinnacle Point Holdings, Jabu Mabuza and Sam Hackner of Investec. In 2007, 5 241 caddies from 113 clubs across Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban were given the opportunity to apply for funding for their children and themselves. There was again an excited response from the caddies and a very positive reaction from the golf clubs. From over 200 applications received 47 candidates were successful and are now studying at various primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the country. Provided they meet the criteria their education fees will be covered again next year.
2008 has been an exciting year for the Trust as we have seen the development of a Mentorship Program with Mentors being drawn on a voluntary basis from South African Breweries.
At the Pilsner Urquell Shootout this year, National Airways Corporation donated a commercial pilot’s license at 43 Air School to the Trust. This is a two year program which will see the successful candidate with a commercial pilot’s license at the end of the two years. Said Martin Banner, CEO of NAC “We were so moved by the good work being done by the trust and particularly by one of the children expressing a keen desire to become a pilot, that we felt compelled to participate. We are delighted to be able to help a child fulfill a career dream and we have committed to continue with the program if it proves to be a success.”
The Trust aims to cover all education fees of successful applicants, and grants an allowance for items such as school uniforms, stationery, school tours and outings.
The current trustees of the Fund include Minister Alec Erwin, Deputy Minister Johnny de Lange, Dr Pat Kohlo, Happy Ntshingila, Imtiaz Patel, Phuti Malabie, Dudu Hlatswayo and Tony van Kralingen.
