Casandra Alexander conquers Serengeti to claim Absa Ladies Invitational title on The Sunshine Ladies Tour
Dj Chilu 
Set against the breath-taking backdrop of Serengeti Estates in Gauteng on Saturday 6 April, 2024, the Absa Ladies Invitational heralded Absa’s dedication to promoting women’s participation in sports and society.
Winner of the inaugural Absa Ladies Invitational 2024, Casandra Alexander, showcased her exceptional talent with a display of “flawless golf.” Her remarkable performance, highlighted by a superb six-under-par 66, secured victory by four strokes and finished at 12-under-par overall. Tied for the lead with fellow South African Kiera Floyd at the start of the day, Alexander’s resilience and determination were evident as she navigated the course, ultimately triumphing with an eagle and two birdies on the back nine. Her win epitomised the growing prominence of female athletes in sports, aligning seamlessly with Absa’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“As part of our efforts to be an active force for good in everything we do, we are proud to be part of the Sunshine Ladies Tour and to be fostering diversity and inclusivity in the world of golf,” said Sanah Gumede, Managing Executive for Strategy and Customer Value Management at Absa Relationship Banking. “Although the journey to narrow the gender pay gap is ongoing, Absa Relationship Banking takes pride in actively fostering greater equity through this sponsorship, while also creating more playing opportunities.” Gumede reiterated Absa’s commitment to levelling the playing field in golf and beyond, reflecting their dedication to positive change.
Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele, Absa’s Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, expressed pride in supporting the Sunshine Ladies Tour, echoing Absa’s dedication to breaking barriers and empowering women in society. “As Absa moves towards a more human-centred approach to banking, initiatives like this are the ultimate embodiment of our commitment to making a meaningful contribution,” said Mbhele. The brand’s tagline, “Your story matters,” encapsulates Absa’s belief in the importance of individual narratives and the role of diversity and inclusivity in shaping collective experiences.
Absa’s involvement in the tour, endorsed by Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, showcased their commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the sport and promoting diversity and inclusion on and off the course. The Absa Ladies Invitational had attracted high-profile entries, including 15-time winner Lee-Anne Pace, six-time winner Stacy Bregman, Yolanda Duma, Shamiso Makwara, Loice Chingono plus many more.
The 2024 Sunshine Ladies Tour sees the country’s elite women’s professional golfers competing for total prize money of almost R20 million and with live coverage on SuperSport in what is another significant statement regarding the growth of women’s sport in South Africa.
2024 Sunshine Ladies Tour Schedule
- 16-18 February: Dimension Data Ladies Pro-Am – Fancourt.
- 21-23 February: SuperSport Ladies Challenge presented by Sun International – Lost City Golf Course.
- 06-08 March: Fidelity ADT Ladies Challenge – Blue Valley Golf Estate.
- 13-15 March: Cape Town Ladies Open – Royal Cape Golf Club.
- 04-06 April: Absa Ladies Invitational – Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate.
- 10-12 April: Jabra Ladies Classic – Glendower Golf Club.
- 18-21 April: Joburg Ladies Open – Modderfontein Golf Club (co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour) .
- 25-28 April: Investec South African Women’s Open – Erinvale Golf Estate (co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour)..
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