VFAPU Golf Day Raises Vital Funds for Wildlife Protection

The annual Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) fundraising golf day, held on Friday, September 26, at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club, once again drew strong support, reinforcing its position as one of Harare’s favourite golfing events.

Over the years, the tournament has become a highlight of the city’s golfing calendar, offering avid golfers the chance to win incredible holiday prizes while supporting a critical cause. This year’s edition saw 31 teams competing for the coveted VFAPU trophy and a range of fantastic prizes, including accommodation at the Victoria Falls Safari Collection’s properties.

The event was supported by 38 sponsors with sponsorship provided in various forms, including cash donations, hole sponsorships, gin tents, and goods and equipment for VFAPU scouts. Notably, 11 sponsors were new to the event, with nine of them from Zimbabwe’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.

A total of US$39,075.00 was raised, and all proceeds go directly to VFAPU to fund its operations, with Africa Albida Tourism (AAT), which operates the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, covering all the administrative costs of the tournament, ensuring that every dollar raised contributes to conservation.

The competition, which was played as a 4-ball Stableford alliance, saw African Sun take first place, followed by Bush Lovers in second, and HAC in third, with each team walking away with fantastic prizes.

AAT Managing Director Nigel Frost highlighted the significance of the event, saying:

“The VFAPU Golf Day is about more than just sport. It is about community, partnerships, and conservation. The incredible support we continue to receive shows that together we can make a real difference in protecting the wildlife that makes Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe so special.”

Speaking at the event, Nathan Webb, General Manager of the Wildlife Conservation Coalition, said:

“We are deeply grateful for the continued support this event generates. VFAPU relies solely on donations to carry out its operations, and the golf day plays a critical role in ensuring scouts can continue their tireless work of protecting our wildlife and the habitats around Victoria Falls.”

The Wildlife Conservation Coalition (WCC) was formed in 2023 through the merger of VFAPU and The Bhejane Trust, allowing for the pooling of resources and expertise and uniting conservation efforts in the region to achieve greater success.

In his speech at the prize-giving cocktail, Anald Musonza, Head of Sales and Marketing for the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, added:

“It was particularly inspiring to see the involvement of new sponsors from the tourism industry. The success of this event reflects not only a love for the game of golf but also a shared commitment to protect Zimbabwe’s natural heritage by all of us who benefit from tourism.”

VFAPU was established in 1999 by local safari operator and conservationist Charles Brightman and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (the flagship property of the Victoria Falls Safari Collection) in an effort to fight the alarming levels of poaching. A non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and its natural habitat, VFAPU’s mandate is to minimise poaching activities in its area of patrol, as well as to rescue and rehabilitate animals injured by human interference.

VFAPU works in close co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Victoria Falls City Council, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The unit has 15 full-time scouts actively patrolling an area of approximately fifty square kilometres surrounding Victoria Falls. Patrols operate seven days a week, day and night.