In a major boost for sport development and social inclusion, the City of Johannesburg's Community Development Department has partnered with the Central Gauteng Golf Union (CGGU) to make golf more accessible to communities across the city.
The two organisations officially signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at Randpark Golf Club in Randburg, marking the start of a strategic partnership aimed at growing the game and creating new opportunities for young people.
Led by the City's Sport and Recreation Directorate and supported by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, Cllr Thapelo Amad, and Executive Director Siyanda Mnukwa, the partnership seeks to transform golf from a traditionally exclusive sport into one that is accessible, inclusive and community-driven.
Cllr Amad said the partnership would use golf as a vehicle for youth development, skills transfer and economic empowerment. “Through this collaboration, we want to introduce more young people and aspiring golfers to the sport, giving them the opportunity to learn, develop their talent and realise their potential."
A key feature of the agreement is that it comes at no financial cost to the City. The CGGU will upgrade, manage and maintain designated municipal golf courses at its own expense, including covering water and electricity costs.
The partnership also provides for the establishment of a Golf Centre of Excellence, supported by satellite facilities across Johannesburg's seven regions. Golf development programmes will be expanded into schools, communities and clubs, with a focus on talent identification, coaching, caddie development and increasing participation.
Beyond the fairways, the initiative aims to create employment opportunities by providing training in hospitality, golf course maintenance and other industry-related skills. The City and the CGGU will also work together to host community outreach initiatives, including charity golf days, food drives and fundraising campaigns.
Representing the CGGU, Stef Grobbelaar said the Union would provide technical expertise, coaching support and access to golfing infrastructure while working with affiliated clubs to ensure broader community participation.
The partnership aligns with the City's commitment to using municipal assets to improve residents' quality of life, strengthen community sport and create pathways for young people to succeed both on and off the golf course.
Written by Maseipati Tsotsotso
23/07/2026
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