Golf fundraiser aims to support Simon’s Town maritime pupils
Lawhill Maritime pupils take to the water during motorboat training, gaining essential skills for a career at sea.
Image: Supplied
Maritime careers offer global opportunities, but tertiary training is expensive and often out of reach for disadvantaged youth.
The Marine Bursary Golf Day, taking place at Rondebosch Golf Club, helps bridge that gap by raising funds for pupils at the Lawhill Maritime Centre in Simon’s Town.
Supported by Fairship SA, the event funds the S.A.T.S General Botha Old Boys’ Association Bursary Fund, which steps in from Grade 10 to support pupils from across South Africa.
Pupils board at Lawhill while attending Simon’s Town School, combining the standard curriculum with specialised maritime subjects such as Maritime Economics, Marine Science, and Nautical Science
They also receive practical training in swimming, sailing, and motorboating, progressing to pre-sea training and weekend sea time under qualified skippers, working toward South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) accredited qualifications.
Programme head of the Lawhill Maritime Centre, Debbie Owen, said support from the golf day makes a difference far beyond the classroom.
“When someone provides financial support for the Marine Bursary Golf Day, they're actually supporting deserving youth to access an international career; one that will not only change their lives for the better, but positively impact their families and broader society.
While the high school-based programme prepares pupils for employment, Ms Owen noted that those who wish to work at sea still need tertiary funding and studies to access these careers.
She added that South Africa will only meet the global demand for marine engineers and navigation officers if pupils can study internationally recognised courses that allow them to work worldwide and earn US Dollar-based salaries.
Ms Owen said this helps them become financially independent, reduces reliance on government support, and contributes to a growing economy.
“By supporting them to study towards these careers, we unlock wealth that, in the end, benefits us too because they have the means to support a growing economy. And we all know how important that is.”
Hundreds of Lawhill alumni are now working in the maritime sector, thanks to the programme’s 30-year success.
Many are from the Deep South.
Notable alumni include Kelly Mars (née Klaasen) from Da Gama Park, South Africa's first female marine engineer, and Nicole Gouvias, Lawhill’s first female master, licensed to command any ship of any size anywhere in the world.
Since its inception in 2011, the bursary fund has supported 60 pupils, with mentoring from experienced industry professionals continuing long after graduation.
On average, 50 pupils are enrolled at Lawhill each year.
By purchasing a four-ball or sponsoring a hole, golfers will help determined young people access training at approved tertiary institutions, opening doors to rewarding careers at sea and in maritime-related industries.
Golfers can support the bursary fund by booking a four-ball with Dennis Henwood, who can be contacted at dhenwood@iafrica.com or on 083 503 3623. Those interested in sponsorship or donating prizes can get in touch with Thalia Hock at gm@generalbotha.co.za or on 073 174 0536.