The City of Johannesburg is honoured to announce the commencement of the Joburg Open, which officially teed off this morning and will continue through Sunday. This prestigious tournament, broadcast to over 200 cities around the globe, further cements Johannesburg’s reputation as a premier international sporting destination—one where aspirations are nurtured, and dreams are realised. In keeping with tradition, the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, is typically entrusted with performing the ceremonial tee-off to mark the official opening of this esteemed tournament.

However, in a profound departure from custom, the Mayor elected to confer this honour upon a young boy whose remarkable journey embodies the very essence and spirit of Johannesburg. This morning, ten-year-old Tshiamo “Tshitshi” Makamedi from Alexandra took to the tee—not merely as a promising young golfer, but as a beacon of hope, perseverance, and the boundless potential that resides within the diverse communities of our city. Remarkably, it was only two and a half years ago that Tshitshi first picked up a golf club. Since then, he has achieved extraordinary success, earning medals at international junior tournaments and distinguishing himself as one of South Africa’s most promising young athletes.