World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated annually on 5 June, and its key objectives are to increase awareness about the environment, enhance political attention and encourage public action WED was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, and over five decades, it has grown exponentially, and is now one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach, with tens of millions of people participating online and through in-person activities, events, and actions around the world.

WED in 2025 focuses on ending plastic pollution, as this particular environmental scourge, exacerbates the deadly impacts of the triple planetary crisis – climate change, nature, land and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste.

What UMHLALI COUNTRY CLUB did so well, in their survey questionnaire, was to illustrate its understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and SDG 11(Sustainable Communities)which have become the common language of sustainability, and which are supported by the three pillars of sustainability namely, environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies and objectives.

This understanding was further demonstrated by the club’s strategic alignment through their published vision, values and mission statements. This vision is for the club to be the venue of choice for sports and recreation on the KZN North Coast, and to strive to provide members, guests and visitors with an affordable and beautiful eco-friendly club, with a top-rated golf course and sporting and recreational facilities, which in combination, offer an enjoyable experience, with quality service, in a hospitable and family-friendly environment.

In addition, the survey document submitted reflects the club’s values, which include, inter alia, a non-discriminatory organisation with professional management and service at its core, a commitment to social and environmental responsibility, in and through golf, a recognition of the importance of playing the club’s part to protect and restore nature, conserve resources, take meaningful climate action and strengthen communities.

Furthermore, the Umhlali survey report illustrates how the club seeks to use its reach to raise awareness and positive action amongst golfers, partners and the wider public, and live the commitment to make an important difference, and help golf become a valued leader in sustainability.

What the board and management illustrated in the survey questionnaire is their understanding of the relevance of the ESG principles, and the importance of the SDGs for UMHLALI COUNTRY CLUB. It is this understanding that has laid the groundwork, by setting a sustainability approach that takes into consideration the positive and negative impacts of their business on the ESG risks and opportunities, and setting up short, and long-term, environmental compliance, social responsibility and good governance goals that are aligned with the ESG and SDGs, overseeing the progress on them, and then reporting, and engaging with stakeholders.

UMHLALI’S understanding, and implementation of the three pillars of sustainability, namely environmental compliance, social responsibility, and good governance (ESG), sets a standard that many clubs in South Africa would want to emulate.

Notwithstanding UMHLALI’S award, special mention must also be made of the READING COUNTRY CLUB and DE ZALZE GOLF CLUB, in their efforts towards sustainability and its three ESG pillars.

Winning a SUSTAINABILITY TOP CLUB AWARD is only achieved with the support of very committed and passionate people, who are prepared to wholly embrace sustainability, and its three ESG pillars, in an integrated and methodical manner.

Therefore, special congratulations must go to UMHLALI COUNTRY CLUB, members, the Chairman and Governing Body, the general manager Derick Reinke, sports manager Jason Herbst and course superintendent Robin Naicker. 

JOHN COLLIER, JOHANNESBURG

21 May 2025