MD encourages ladies, youth to play golf
MBABANE – Swaziland Building Society (SBS) Managing Director Mbali Sibanyoni has encouraged more ladies to play golf.
Speaking during the SBS Mbabane Club Golf Championship prize presentation at the Mbabane Golf Club yesterday, she said the sport brought about many benefits, which included great networking opportunities, relaxation, entertainment, discipline, integrity, physical fitness and mental health. Some of the young ladies who played the tournament included the ever-green Nosmilo Kgomo while youthful golfers included Qiniso Mkhonta, Siphesihle Mhlanga, Vuyo Dlamini and Mongiwetfu Masuku. Masuku is the defending champion of the SBS-sponsored tournament.
She said playing golf also boosted morale and confidence, as well as helped one practice patience.
She also noted that playing golf generally improved muscle tone and endurance, increased life expectancy and helped to lose weight and body fat.
Sibanyoni further congratulated the Mbabane Golf Club for attracting women and juniors to participate in the championship.
“This is commendable as it brings hope for the continued growth and gender balance in the sport,” she said.
She also expressed pleasure in noting that the tournament continued to grow and attract many golfers.
“We view the tournament as a significant contributor to the growth of the sport here at the Mbabane Golf Club and even nationwide. It is from this premise that the society has continued to support this championship over the years,” said Sibanyoni.
She expressed fascination that last year’s championship was won by 14-year-old Mongiwethu Masuku.
“This demonstrates the importance of nurturing youth talent so that they realise their socio-economic development through golf. It further demystifies the misperception that golf is a sport for the elite and old,” she noted.
On the other hand, the Managing Director pleaded with the golf club to encourage its members to support the society as a sponsor.
Sibanyoni added: “As a business, we are counting on you, golfers, to become our customers for us to continue ploughing back to the championship.”
She also invited the golfers to be customers because SBS was on a journey to become a fully-fledged commercial bank which will provide cutting-edge banking products and solutions.
“I am confidently inviting all of you to be our customers so that you do not miss the lifetime opportunity of being part of what will be the first commercial bank wholly owned by emaSwati,” she said.
Sibanyoni then committed that the society would continue to support the tournament ‘as long as the economy favours us all’.
Club Captain Moses Masilela thanked SBS for the continued sponsorship and support for the championship.
He said the club would continuously work hard to grow the tournament to greater heights and ensure the interests of the sponsor were protected at all times.
He said the championship had produced good players who also participate in internationally recognised tournaments.
He said the club will continue to encourage and support participation of female and juniors in golf ‘without losing sight of male players of course’.
Masilela further highlighted the importance to support SBS so that it continued to sponsor the golf championship.
He urged golfers to be customers of the society to enjoy quality products and services.
The two-day tournament, which started on Saturday and ended yesterday, was the ninth edition of the annual golf championship. About 85 golfers participated in the championship.