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PROTEC’s anniversary events attract support from local celebrities

PROTEC’s 40-year celebratory events are taking shape with interest growing in the Fundraising Golf Day and the Gala Dinner – both on 9 June – which feature exciting participation by leading celebrities such as world-renowned boxing champion, Brian Mitchell; leading author, Nyimpini Mabunda; Lions Rugby legend, Pietie Meyer; and others.

Balan Moodley, PROTEC’s CEO, is upbeat about these events that will take place at Wanderers Golf Club, Johannesburg, from Friday morning, 9 June, followed by the gala dinner at PROTEA Hotel Wanderers, across the road from the Golf Club.

Moodley says, “Celebrating 40 years is a big deal for any NPO – but especially for one that has impacted the STEM career landscape so consistently throughout the decades. PROTEC can boast more than 30 000 PROTEC alumni who have passed through our programmes since 1982, and many of them have become leading lights in their respective fields. We aim to continue delivering our comprehensive educational support programme that also adds post-school readiness skills to our learners’ lives. That means we need to continue our concerted efforts to increase support for the organisation. PROTEC is wholly reliant on funding by the private sector, and the more we can raise, the more learners we can empower for successful and productive careers.”

Brian Mitchell

PROTEC has the privilege of hosting Brian Mitchell – the only South African boxer to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame – at the Golf Day, where he and partner, Pietie Meyer, former Lions player, are ready to team up with two players to make up a strong fourball. Mitchell is a 14-time undefeated world champion, and is bringing his consummate sporting skills to the golf course.

Also on the golf course will be other pros and activities at different holes, keeping the interest in the game high throughout. Opportunities for sponsorship at different holes are still open – and can be arranged through PROTEC (contact details at the end).

Nyimpini Mabunda

The golf day will feature gifts and prizes for the top players at the prize-giving ceremony at the end of the day. From there, the golfing party will move across to the PROTEA Hotel to join other guests at the Gala Dinner. This too, promises to be a special celebration, with a jam-packed programme that includes excellent entertainment, a sporting memorabilia auction of items donated by Brian Mitchell, a keynote address by author and CEO Nyimpini Mabunda, other presentations, as well as world-class food and beverages throughout the evening.

Mabunda’s book, Take Charge, published in May 2022, traces his journey from his childhood in an apartheid-era homeland to the CEO’s office at GE South Africa. Through his career at wide-ranging organisations, Mabunda shows why he strives for continuous and active improvement in his business acumen and leadership skills – and his book offers practical insight for anyone who aims to succeed in their career, building and leading a business.

Alumni

Moodley says PROTEC is particularly reaching out to all PROTEC alumni to add their wealth of insight and support to the ongoing PROTEC programme, and to today’s and future learners who are following in their footsteps. “PROTEC has a database of past students who are involved in mentoring learners, sharing their stories with them, and supporting the programme, but we’re making every effort to attract a lot more of our alumni into the fold. Their understanding of the challenges our learners – most of whom are from disadvantaged schools and communities – need to overcome in order to achieve success means that they can offer encouragement, advice and inspiration that makes a tangible difference to the learners’ lives.”

PROTEC’s top 10 learners from the Class of 2022 earned a commendable collective 62 distinctions, which included a 100% and a 98% for Physical Sciences, and a 100% for Maths. PROTEC Altron Soweto is the Best Overall Performing PROTEC Programme of 2022, with their 27 matriculants achieving both a pass rate and bachelor pass rate of 100%.

Building STEM in SA

“We invite anyone and everyone with an interest in building the pool of STEM graduates in South Africa to attend our 40th anniversary celebratory events on 9 June in Johannesburg, to enjoy a day of golf and an evening of networking, of being inspiring and being inspired, and of sharing experiences. We look forward to engaging with you,” says Moodley.

To book

For more information or to book for either or both the events, visit www.protec.org.za or contact Awelani Khakhu on 011 339 1451 or awelani@protec.org.za.