By C. Campbell, College Connect, 10 November 2025

There’s something truly special about Pietermaritzburg people. Put us in one room, add a touch of celebration, and you’ll feel that unmistakable mix of pride, energy, and community spirit that makes our city tick.

On Friday, 7 November, the Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business (PMCB) hosted its annual Awards Dinner at Epworth School. Representing Maritzburg College, Kevin Smith (Director of College Business) and Carrie Campbell (Manager of College Connect) joined the festivities for an evening dedicated to celebrating the movers, makers, and magic behind local business.

Kevin Smith has been on the PMCB Board of Directors for three years and is a member of the Premiers Working Group. Through these important roles, Maritzburg College is committed to building positive relationships between the Municipality and local businesses. 

The theme was “Wear Something Lekker,” and trust us, everyone delivered. From bright shweshwe prints and sequins to vellies, headwraps, and beads for days, the room sparkled with colour and pride. It wasn’t just about fashion though; it was about showing off that unmistakable South African flair that says, “This is home.”

And that’s exactly the message that resonated throughout the night. As Colin David, Group Director of Mi7, said so perfectly:

|“We’re pouring ourselves into the city that built us.”

We couldn’t agree more!

At Maritzburg College, we’re proud to be part of that same heartbeat. As the oldest all boys’ public school in KwaZulu-Natal, our roots run deep through Msunduzi. We’ve spent over a century and a half helping shape athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders who carry that Maritzburg College grit into the world — and now, through College Connect, we’re helping to bring it back home.

Our mission? To tap into the incredible College network to create job opportunities, support local business, and strengthen community connections — all while helping Maritzburg College and our city of Pietermaritzburg shine even brighter.

A heart-felt congratuations to all the incredible winners and nominees who are keeping our local economy buzzing:

🏆 Social Enterprise of the Year: Emma Barter Home

💼 PMCB Champion Entrepreneur of the Year: Nompilo Gumede

⚙️ Manufacturing Sector Winner: Brink Towing Systems

🏛️ State-Owned Enterprise of the Year: uMgungundlovu Economic Development Agency (UMEDA)

🚀 Medium Enterprise of the Year: SLCNG (Pty) Ltd — for the third year in a row!

🔧 Small Enterprise of the Year: Mech-Tech Machine Tool Specialists CC

Runners-up in the manufacturing category went to Aberdare Cables and Preformed Line Products — a huge congrats to you too!

We’re so proud to stand alongside businesses that are bold, resilient, and proudly local. Nights like this remind us that Pietermaritzburg isn’t just a place on the map — it’s a community full of people who care, create, and collaborate.

Here’s to another year of growing, giving back, and keeping the Maritzburg magic alive.

By C Campbell, College Connect, 3 Nov 2025

There’s something special about bringing business out of the boardroom and onto the fairway. Across the world, corporate golf days have become a powerful platform for connection — blending business with pleasure in a way no meeting room ever could.

The formula is simple, yet effective: measurable outcomes like brand exposure, relationship building, fundraising, and sales, paired with the intangible magic of a day spent on the course — trust, shared experiences, laughter, and camaraderie.

Why Golf Days Work (and Why They’re Always on a Workday)

A golf day is always a workday well spent. Ideally held on a Friday, it’s the perfect prelude to the weekend — an opportunity to step out of the office, relax, and enjoy a Castle Lite (or five) in good company.

While it might seem like “a day off,” it’s actually an investment in connection. From morning tee-off to the evening prize-giving, the event’s structure allows for hours of authentic conversation and collaboration — far beyond what can happen between four walls. And by keeping it on a weekday, organisers also show respect for players’ family and personal weekend time.

Brand Exposure that Lasts Beyond 18 Holes

For local and national brands alike, golf days offer a premium exposure opportunity. Sponsoring a hole, a team, or a prize puts your name and products in front of an engaged audience for hours — not as a fleeting social media impression, but as part of an immersive, face-to-face experience.

Think: banners fluttering on the fairways, branded golf shirts, giveaways, and high-energy activations that make your company stand out. Add to that the inevitable stream of photos and social media tags that follow, and your reach extends far beyond the greens.

In short, a golf day is a branding investment with lasting impact — so if you’re getting involved, make it memorable.

Business Conversations, Naturally

On the golf course, conversations happen differently. With no boardroom clock ticking and no formal agenda, discussions flow naturally. The privacy of the outdoors allows people to open up, and the casual, unhurried pace of play gives room for genuine dialogue.

Deals might not close on the 9th hole, but relationships begin — and in business, that’s often the most valuable outcome.

The Fun Factor

Behind every great golf day is a team that’s done serious planning, coordination, and logistics. But once the day begins, the energy is infectious.

A good playlist sets the tone, and a DJ who knows their crowd keeps spirits high. Sponsors bring the fun to each hole with samples, prizes, and photo ops — ensuring the energy stays lively from the first drive to the last putt.

Players, grouped into teams, get the chance to let their guard down, share a few laughs, and even make a few terrible shots — all in good fun. Those “you had to be there” moments are what people remember and connect over long after the final scores are tallied.

Food, Drinks, and the Power of Shared Moments

Good food and cold drinks are the heart of any successful golf day. They’re more than just refreshments — they’re connection catalysts.

Whether it’s sharing a beer at the halfway house or enjoying dinner at the prize-giving, these moments of downtime deepen relationships and create trust. Warm beer? That’s the only thing that can dampen the mood.

So, organisers: prioritise quality catering and a well-stocked bar — your guests (and their conversations) will thank you.

The Bottom Line

If your business is invited to sponsor a golf day, say yes. It’s one of the smartest marketing investments you can make, with tangible ROI in exposure, goodwill, and future opportunities.

And if you’re invited to play, choose your team wisely — bring along a valued client, a potential partner, or a colleague you’d like to connect with. After all, a day on the course isn’t just about the scorecard — it’s about the relationships you build along the way.