Big boost for Autism Namibia
The 2022 edition of the Nedbank for Autism Series concluded last Friday after a 10-round golf tour across the country.The series, which is aimed at creating awareness for the Autism Association of Namibia raised N$296 000 from pledges and donations made during the course of the series, and an additional N$24 000 donated by guests at the official prizegiving held at the Nedbank Campus.
Since its inception in 2019, the Nedbank for Autism Series has raised over N$656 000 for the Autism Association of Namibia.
This year’s edition began in February at the Omeya Golf Club and made nine other stops in Gobabis, Oranjemund, Tsumeb, Mariental, Oshakati, Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Walvis Bay, and Windhoek golf courses.
A total of 559 players took part in this year’s series, which saw Kiewiet Dreyer from Mariental ending victorious after beating nine other qualifiers with a total score of 44 points at the final.
Delivering the welcoming remarks at the prizegiving was Nedbank Namibia’s Executive for Private Wealth and Bancassurance, Biniam Ghirmatsion, who stated the bank has for the past three years dedicated itself to sponsoring the Autism Series as part of solving challenges in our society.
“The Nedbank Autism Golf Series created a platform to enhance awareness of the needs of people living with autism across the country. As part of the programme over the years, one and two-day courses have been offered countrywide to create understanding and acceptance through teaching, training, and networking, to improve knowledge within the greater society, and to foster participation on all levels. Petra Dillmann, Director at the Autism Association of Namibia, shared that in some instances, the participants travelled 250 km or more to join the courses,” he said.
“Events such as the Nedbank for Autism Golf Series have a significant and long-lasting impact on families in our communities. There has been excellent brand equity built up since the inaugural events, and we wish to see the series continue strengthening both its impact in our communities and influence in the future,” Ghirmatsion concluded.
Dillmann thanked Nedbank Namibia, DZ Golf, and all the sponsors and donors who aided in making the Nedbank for Autism Series a success. “We are incredibly grateful to be selected by Nedbank and DZ Golf with the support of all the sponsors and golfers, who donated prizes and made this three-year project such an immense success. The series has given the Autism Association of Namibia the opportunity to reach out to the whole country. This was a bonus as it enabled us to meet the communities and find out what is needed on the ground,” Dillmann said.
She added that in 2023 the association will continue with its project of making resources from recyclables in various communities.
In his vote of thanks, series organiser Dan Zwiebel from DZ Golf thanked the Nedbank Namibia team, the co-sponsors, the golfers, and golf club owners who made the event a success.
Co-sponsors for the 2022 Nedbank for Autism Series include M+Z Motors, AfricaOnline, ComputerKit Namibia, Engen Namibia, Imperial, Gondwana Collection Namibia, Safintra Roofing, Taeuber & Corssen, Pupkewitz Megabuild, Zebra Trailers, and Future Media.