City of Durban Proposes R5 Million Sponsorship for Investec SA Open Golf Championship
The eThekwini Municipality is set to discuss a proposed R5 million sponsorship for the 114th Investec SA Open Golf Championship during a full council meeting on Thursday. Scheduled for March at Durban Country Club, the event will feature as part of a broader tourism and investment strategy, including official host city status, a Golf Business and Lifestyle Convention, the Sunshine Tour Golf Tournament, and the filming of "Swing Through Africa," a high-profile golf and leisure TV series. The sponsorship aims to deliver sustained media coverage over five months, potentially reaching over 1.25 billion viewers worldwide.
City Manager Musa Mbhele outlined additional tourism opportunities tied to the event, including the development of inner-city regeneration projects, marina enhancements, and a potential private jet terminal at King Shaka International Airport. Coinciding with the championship, the Sunshine Tour Golf Tournament in May will involve 156 local pros competing for a R2 million prize fund and will align with Durban’s hosting of Africa’s Travel Indaba. The collaborative effort, involving municipal departments and external partners, seeks support for R10 million in total funding, with Durban positioned as the primary host city for this high-impact initiative aimed at boosting local economic activity and the city’s global standing.
Source: IOL