Guests gathered at Houghton Hotel in Houghton last night, 21 November 2022, for the Joburg Open sponsors’ gala dinner. The luxurious five star hotel, one of the sponsors, couldn’t have been a better venue for glamorous occasion.
Over the past few weeks, the City of Joburg has hosted to a number of premier local and international sporting events, the City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, told guests at the gala dinner.
“On the first weekend of November, we saw runners descend on the City to run the Soweto Marathon, also known has the People’s Race.
I along, with the MMC for Community Development, Cllr Ronald Harris, completed the 10km race,” said Mayor Phalatse.
She also mentioned the Carling Black Label Cup, which followed a week later after the Soweto Marathon hosted at Africa’s Calabash in Nasrec on Saturday, 12 November.
“On Sunday, 20 November, it was an opportunity for cyclists from around the globe to show their strength and fortitude by cycling up to 97km across Joburg on a beautiful spring day. Although I did not compete this year, I had the opportunity of seeing the route and our beautiful City from the sky during a helicopter ride,” She said.
She thanked the sponsors for always digging in their pockets to fund the Joburg Open even during the difficult economic climate times.
“As a City, we are always improving due to the investment made by organisations like the DP World Tour and the Sunshine Tour. This is amplified by the relationship with the City of Joburg, which dates back to 2007, and I think we can all agree that together we have gone from strength to strength,” concluded the mayor.
Acting Group Head for Group Communication and Marketing for the City Rotondwa Maphagela welcomed guests and thanked the sponsors, who include the Sunshine Tour, DP World Tour, Royal and Ancient, Jaguar Land Rover, the Houghton Hotel, Hyundai Staria, PMG Provantage, Stella Artois, CIB Insurance, Lavazza, Quebe Marketing, Bathu, World of Golf, Go Fresh and Norwood Mall.
“We really appreciate what you have done and we always look forward to this event as its one of the most important e vents on our calendar.
It has been a great partnership with the current sponsors and we also welcome on board the new sponsors and look forward to working with you to continue developing the sport in our country,” added Maphagela.
“We are very proud to be part of the world-class event in the world-class city as sponsors,” said Mark Lubner, the Houghton Hotel Director.
Thomas Abt, the Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said the Joburg Open – which tees off on Thursday 24 November – had showcased the City of Johannesburg to millions of TV viewers worldwide since its inception in 2007.
Cllr Harris said the tournament has helped young stars participate in the sport that they might not have been able to in the past. He thanked the sponsors and partners of the City for their commitment and continued support for the Joburg Open over the years.
“On behalf of the City of Johannesburg, allow me to extend my gratitude to the City and Entity Officials who have made the 2022 Joburg Open possible, and the range of sponsors like our hosts, the Houghton Hotel, who have placed significant resources and time behind ensuring that the needs of the 156 golfers are taken care of, and tournament attendees are able to enjoy themselves in a beautiful and safe environment,” said MMC Harris.
Written by Luyanda Lunika
22/11/2022