The Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation Charity Fundraising Golf Tournament held at Lilongwe Golf Club (LGC) on Saturday has raised K251 million through pledges and registration fees.
Proceeds of the tournament will go towards the procurement of dialysis machines in strategic district hospitals across the country.
Chairperson for the foundation, Mary Chilima, said she was impressed with the response from the corporate world.
“About 20 percent of Malawians have kidney impairment [issues] but the cost of the dialysis machine is very high. We, as a foundation, are motivated by the spirit of charity of the late vice president. We are committed to making an impact on the society, especially the health sector,” she said.
Chilima further said she was encouraged by the generosity of individuals and companies.
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“The financial and material support will go a long way in supporting people with kidney challenges. The government alone cannot manage to support everyone and, so, it is our responsibility to assist the government to uplift the lives of the poor,” she said.
The committee had targeted to raise K346 million through the event and other fundraising initiatives. Chairperson for the fundraising committee, Boyd Luwe, hailed the corporate world for contributing towards the cause.
“We would like to thank all the individuals, companies and golfers for contributing towards the good cause. Dr Chilima left behind a legacy of service to the needy; so, we will continue his initiatives to change the lives of the underprivileged,” Luwe said.
Nico Group was the headline sponsor of the event.
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Several companies supported the event and these included National Bank of Malawi, Standard Bank, Luthando Holdings, Sawa Group, Ethco, JIBS Security, Blue Berry Travel, First Capital Bank, FDH Bank, Seed Co, Malawi Gaming Board, Automotive Products Limited, Cape Stars, Umodzi Park and Datacom.
Chilima—a philanthropist, politician, sportsperson and renowned corporate icon—was a common feature at fundraising golf tournaments.
Meanwhile, Allan Nasoro and Jean Kasenda emerged champions of the tournament in the men’s and ladies’ category, respectively.
Nasoro got 43 points whereas second-placed Dennis Mwanika and Dean Lungu Junior got 41 and 38 points, respectively.
In the ladies’ category, Kasenda amassed 36 points, beating Stella Ng’oma and Maina Mkandawire on 32 and 31 points, respectively.
Over 120 golfers took part in the tournament, which was also organised in honour of Chilima, who died in a military plane crash on June 10, 2024, alongside eight others.
The others who died in the plane accident are former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, Lucas Kapheni, Chisomo Chimaneni, Dan Kanyemba, Abdul Lapukeni as well as Colonel Owen Sambalopa, Major Flora Selemani and Major Aidin, who are Malawi Defence Force personnel who were operating the Malawi Air Force plane
