adminThandiwe Matyobeni
South Africans rallied together to help get a seven-year-old golfer and his father visas to participate in an Australian tournament. Bonginkosi, the father of a seven-year-old golfer, Simthandile Tshabalala, appealed to Fikile Mbalula on social media, hoping the politician would be able to help him organise visas so that he and his son could attend a prestigious tournament abroad.
“Hi Mbalule Fikile kindly help. My 7-year-old son qualified to represent South Africa in the Australian Open Golf Championship taking place in Australia from April 6-9, 2019. We have applied for Visas 4 weeks ago but nothing yet. Can you assist with expediting the process?” the tweet reads.
South Africans rallied behind the boy and Simthandile and his father were granted visas. Simthandile is ranked in the Top 15 globally and represented South Africa in the World Golf Championship that took place in Malaysia last year. Bonginkosi shared that Simthandile was given the nickname “SimTiger” by the US kids at the tournament.
Simthandile started playing when he was four years old. The talented young boy qualified to represent South Africa in the Australian Open Golf Championship taking place later this week. Bonginkosi added that he made the appeal to Mbalula four weeks after applying for visas and having not received a response despite numerous calls. Wanting to help nurture his son’s talents, Bonginkosi decided to take the matter further.
South Africans on social media were excited to hear the news and expressed their pride and well wishes to SimTiger on social media. Many Twitter users congratulated him on starting to play at such a young age and felt that he was a natural. Mzansi was excited at the possibility of watching the growth of a future World Open champion. Many expressed their admiration that Bonginkosi was supporting his son’s talents.
He got given the name “SimTiger” by the US Kids golf officials after his performance in the World Golf Championship. He has already represented SA in the WGC that took place in Malaysia. He is ranked in the top 15 in the world. — Briefly.
Bongani Ndlovu