Alumni
Changing student lives through golf
The Unisa Midlands Region hosted the 2025 Shaping Futures Golf Challenge at the Magalies Park Golf Course, Hartbeespoort, on Friday 9 May 2025. The scenic course united golfers, donors, alumni and business leaders on a critical mission of raising funds for student debt for marginalised but academically deserving students.
A participant teeing off at the golf challenge
Unisa continues to create opportunities for students to access and succeed in education. This was reaffirmed by Angie Bopape, Acting Director of the Unisa Midlands Region, who said that this initiative is important to raise funds for students who are financially excluded, as they are unable to pay their study fees, and those who are financially suspended, as they are unable to honour their financial obligations.
"Hosting the golf challenge, we are contributing to the university's vision: The African university shaping futures in the service of humanity," said Bopape. Golfers who participated in the first golf challenge last year understood and aligned themselves with the vision of the institution and have shown good intentions by making higher education accessible to needy students.
When students receive financial support to succeed in their studies, they become an inspiration to their families and communities. Bopape made a call for golf players, sponsors, alumni and stakeholders to partner with Unisa to help its students break the cycle of poverty and be economically active as citizens of the country.
The historic debt at Unisa amounts to R1.5 billion and is growing. The regional fundraising is for the students’ bursaries. Contributions may be directed towards the institutional funds; in addition, organisations may offer employment opportunities for newly qualified students or work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students requiring experience within the workplace. Sponsors, alumni, business leaders, and stakeholders who wish to participate and sponsor this initiative may contact masente@unisa.ac.za
The better ball Stableford competition format was won by Keapoletswe Mothusi, from Bedfordview, Johannesburg, with 40 points. She is the first woman winner (best golfer) in the 12-year history of the Shaping Futures Golf Challenges at Unisa. An ecstatic Mothusi said that winning meant a lot to her. "It made me understand that I am now a real golfer," she said.
Her golfing journey only began in 2022. It was during Covid that she immersed herself in the sport. She calls herself an amateur even though she was able to play a hole-in-one in another golf competition. This, she said, was through having a golf coach, which has made her understand the game. "It is never too late to start anything in life, and I will be back to defend my trophy next year," she said.
The event was made possible by the following sponsors: Fundi, Minor Hotel, Lavita Spa, Van Schaik, Peermont Hotels, SkyNet, Rennies/BCD Travel, Virginia Art Studios, Magalies Park Golf Course, Bon Hotels, Protea Hotels, Marriott, and Unisa Sports and Wellness.
From left: Lynette van Niekerk, Events Coordinator, Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations; Angie Bopape, Acting Regional Director, Unisa Midlands Region; Keapoletswe Mothusi, overall winner of the challenge; and Danie Langner, Manager, Finance and Operations, Unisa Midlands Region
* By Thotogelo Masenya, Communication and Marketing Officer, Unisa Midlands Region, and Busisiwe Mahlangu, Communication Coordinator, Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations
** Images by Shooheima Champion, Unisa Multimedia Centre
Publish date: 2025-05-26 00:00:00.0
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