Richmark Charity Golf Day

The annual Richmark Holdings Golf day was held on the 21st November at Randpark Golf Club. The day was a huge success with a full field of 140 players. 

To the full article: Richmark Charity Golf Day

Gavin Varejes handing over the Springbok Jerseys

Gavin Varejes handing over the Springbok Jerseys to the Springbok team for their match against New Zealand (5th October 2013).

 
 

VUKA Rugby Finals Showcases Up and Coming South African

In what was a great advert for junior rugby, Cape Town’s Newlands Rugby Stadium, played host to the 2013 finals of the annual VUKA Rugby Legends Cup Tournament, which was held in front of more than 15,000 spectators. Despite playing in front of so many people the players and management from all the teams involved didn’t disappoint any of those who were in attendance.

The tournament, which is now in its fifth year, showcases some of South Africa’s best up and coming rugby talent. It is organised in partnership with the South African Rugby Legends Association, whose founder Gavin Varejes has a long standing association with grassroots rugby in South Africa.

This year’s Finals were extra special as the games acted as a curtain raiser for the Stormers vs Bulls super rugby match. In addition to this prestigious honour, it was also the first time teams from the U15 age group had competed in the tournament.

In fact, the U15’s final was arguably the highlight of the day. In what was a pulsating encounter, the Atlantis Highlanders battled it out against the Mitchells Plain South Stallions. With great rugby and plenty of determination on show from both sides, the Highlanders’ attacking style of play was the difference between the teams come the final whistle, as they won the game 20 points to 7.

The final of the U19’s was another hotly contested affair as the Highlanders took on the Ravensmead Cobras. This physical encounter had more than its fair share of tough tackling but this didn’t take anything away from the match as a spectacle. After enterprising play from both sides the Cobras ran out 24-12 winners, leaving the Highlanders to rue what might have been as they were condemned to their second VUKA Rugby Legends Final defeat in as many years.

http://www.sarugbylegends.com/content/legends-cup-2013-vuka-finals

Nando's promotes Joost van der Westhuizen in its print ads

South African Rugby Hero

Nando’s, the famous South African eatery, has built up a great reputation for its print ads, which can be somewhat controversial at times. But recently they chose to feature a photograph of Joost van der Westhuizen as the focus of their national promotion. Joost, who holds the title as being one of Springboks South Africa’s most talented players, is now known throughout the country as the former rugby player who is fighting a life threatening disease. It has been only two years since he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND). 

Keeps on Giving

Joost van der Westhuizen, aged 42, is a former scrumhalf for the Springboks but is now confined to a wheelchair as the disease slowly works its way through his body. Instead of giving up, however, he has courageously formed the J9 foundation to help raise support and awareness for others suffering from the disease. Through his own experience with MND, he is able to make a huge difference for those living with the disease as well as their families and caregivers. 

Number One Player

During the ceremony, Nando’s CEO Geoff Whyte handed over a framed copy of the ad that recognises Joost’s efforts and charitable contributions. In addition, Whyte gave R100 000 as a donation to Joost’s J9 foundation. According to Whyte, "Joost has now earned the status of legend for a second time.” He adds that at Nando’s, “Number 9 will always be our number one.”

Learning from Illness

Joost van der Westhuizen credits his illness with teaching him what is important in life. He states that he is fortunate to have the time to right some wrongs he made in his lifetime and to get material things in order. He has overcome many physical obstacles to help others. 

Taking part in the ceremony to honour Joost was Gavin Varejes, South African Rugby Legends Association’s president. 

Representatives of SARLA and UTi Visit KZN with a Generous Donation

The South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA) and Paul Muller, who is the UTi sales manager, have turned the simple act of gift giving into an annual tradition and this year was no different. At the end of June, representatives from both UTi and SARLA turned up at KZN’s holistic orphanage to present it with warm blankets for the area’s needy. They were welcomed enthusiastically by the LIV Village staff as well as the young residents of the village. 

Winter Blankets to the Neighboring Villages

The representatives from SARLA and UTi came in trucks laden with two thousand blankets, which were to be dispersed to the needy residents in nearby villages. The generous donation was made possible through the generosity of SARLA’s president, Gavin Varejes. Varejes also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Richmark Holdings, which is a leading angel investor in South Africa. The CEO of SARLA, Stefan Terblanche, received plenty of help from the young residents as they unloaded the boxes of blankets from the truck together. Until distribution, they are storing the blankets in their own storage facilities. 

Entertainment in the School Hall

As a thank you to the group, the children performed dances that they had been practicing and sang songs. Afterwards, the guests met with Tich Smith, who founded LIV. He showed them LIV’s newest promotional video clip and explained the innovative LIV business concept to them. The business profile incorporates mothers and children into the village as shareholders. The day ended with an escorted tour of the entire KZN grounds, headed by the director of marketing, Carita Neethling. The village has grown immensely since the visit from SARLA one year ago, and as it continues to grow, SARLA and UTi plan to be there with continued support. 

Richmark Holdings' dream: helping grow the South African economy

Richmark Holdings, one of the leading angel investors working in South Africa, has weathered the tough economic period and come through with flying colours. Since the South African banks have developed very strict lending policies, it has been forced to narrow its focus to support only those businesses that are a perfect fit with its own core ideas. It carefully chooses companies with great promise for growth and guides them through to success. 

Cellphones for Rural Regions

At the bequest of Nelson Mandela, Richmark Holdings took on the task of distributing cellphones, cellphone accessories and airtime to the residents of rural South Arica. Because of its diverse invested companies, Richmark was able to fulfill this request not only successfully, but profitably as well. Its diversity is one of the traits that puts Richmark at the top of the market and gives it an edge over its competitors.

Early Investments

When Richmark first began in business, it was with the goal of identifying promising entrepreneurs in South Africa and standing with them as they built new companies from the ground up. Most of its investments were in very early stage ideas and ventures in the telecom field. Under the leadership of experienced businessman and entrepreneur Gavin Varejas, it invested in such companies as Vocall Cellular Ltd, which is now a large Vodacom Super Dealer, and Cellfind Ltd, which realised a profitable exit to Blue Label Telecoms Ltd. 

Performance Outlook

The future looks rosy for Richmark Holdings at it prepares business plans covering the next five years. It is planning to introduce its interactive touch screens through its subsidiary, BluChip. Another promising sign was the acquisition of distribution rights for Huffy and Raleigh, which are two global leaders. Thanks to the new lending restrictions, Richmark's strong market standing brings it more market opportunities than ever before.

The VUKA and Gavin Varejes Jersey Initiative

VUKA is the Zulu word for 'wake up' or 'awakening' and also the name of the South African Rugby Legends (SARLA) grassroots rugby programme for youth. The programme has been providing substantial assistance to thousands of disadvantaged youths and includes providing underprivileged youths with rugby jerseys. Started by Gavin Varejes and endorsed by the South African Rugby Union (SARU), VUKA initially operated the jersey initiative mostly in the Cape province. The programme has now also embraced KwaZulu Natal to be included in the annual sponsorship. The recent handover was well received by both KZN and WP school principals and youths. 

KZN Handover

During the handover, the sponsor Smith's Manufacturing was on hand to assist in Clermont, just outside Durban. Referee Archie Sehalko and rugby player Hector Gumede were there to provide some words of encouragement to the young players and to cheer them on as they played their first game in their newly received jerseys that very afternoon. Some of the schools that benefited from this initiative are Wybank, Umqhele, Isithikozile and Ilanga.

WP Handover

In the Western Province handover, SARLA representatives Dale Santon and Jessie Claassen presented the jerseys to excited teams throughout the Cape Flats. For the very first time, the jerseys included each school's individual colours, providing further joy to the boys. Spes Bona, Alexander, Saxonsea, Atlantis and Florida were some of the schools included in the handover.

The Jerseys

The initiative was sponsored by Smith's Manufacturing and the jerseys were produced by the South African label Flya Sportswear, a Time Clothing label that also holds the Proudly South African tick. Gavin Varejes and SARLA are most grateful to everybody that made this undertaking possible. It is only through sponsorship, manufacture, design and distribution of the jerseys that the continuing success of this very important initiative can be assured.

Richmark Holdings to Sponsor Promising Surfer James Ribbink

James Ribbink, considered by many to be one of the best and most promising young surfers in South Africa, is due to be sponsored by the Johannesburg-based investment company, Richmark Holdings. The sponsorship agreement comes following a string of hugely impressive performances by James in some of South Africa’s most prestigious surfing tournaments. 

At the inaugural RVCA Junior Surf Series, which was held at the Lower Point of J-Bay, James finished in 1st place in the U10’s division. He was also recently awarded surfer of the tournament at the Billabong Grom Games which took place earlier in the year. It is because of performances like this that have made James one of the most talked about young names in South African sport. As well as Richmark Holidings, James is also sponsored by some of the most prominent companies from the world of surfing such as Oakley, RVCA, Skullcandy and Channel Islands Surfboards.

Richmark Holdings

Founded in 2000, Richmark Holdings currently works with some of the country’s most talented young business people. The aim of Richmark is to assist companies through innovation and business continuity, with the main focus on long term growth. From small scale funding to majority shareholding and investment, Richmark Holdings helps promising companies to become successful leaders within their respective industries. Richmark Holdings continues to work with some of South Africa’s leading companies and boasts a varied and extensive portfolio of clients, which includes VoCall Cellular, Knox Titanium Volt Co., Bluechip Media and iBurst.

As well as its commercial ventures, Richmark Holdings also supports a number of charities and not-for-profit organizations in South Africa including the SA Rugby Legends Association, the Kirsty Watts Foundation, Smile Foundation, Joint Aid Management and the Bobbi Bear Foundation.

James Ribbink

For an eight year old, James Ribbink’s talent and courage on the waves is quite remarkable and his potential for further success is enormous. Under the watchful eye of his coach Graeme Hynes, James spends much of his spare time training at The New Pier in Durban. It is James’s commitment and dedication to the sport which has undoubtedly helped him to quickly develop into one of South Africa’s best young surfers, which for a youngster is hugely impressive. Whilst nobody can argue with his natural talent and ability on the water, James comes from rich surfing stock, with his father, Jason, a former junior and national champion. 

RVCA Junior Surf Series

Held at the surfing Mecca of Lower Point, Jeffreys Bay, the RVCA Junior Surf Series attracts nearly 100 of the best young surfers in South Africa who battle against the waves and each other for a share of prize money totaling more than R100,000. The event is split into seven different age divisions ranging from U10’s to U20’s for both boys and girls. 

As well as surfing, the RVCA Junior Series combines a number of different subcultures including fashion, art, modern lifestyle and music to encourage the young competitors to showcase their creativity and originality when performing on the waves.

Richmark Holdings has found a way to help educate the under privileged children of Tembisa, South Africa

It joined in an initiative to aid the Sunrise Combined College taken on by Chatz Charity and is giving the young children of Tembisa new opportunities to study in a safe and comfortable environment. Since 2005, the Sunrise Combined College has been operating as a privately run school. It was established in response to the overcrowded conditions and extremely long waiting lists that were prevalent in the government funded schools. That effort to reinforce the school is being strengthened this year with the additional aid and support given by Richmark Holdings.

Helping Children Learn

It is no secret that it can be difficult for even the brightest child to learn in a substandard learning environment. By offering more services and making the school classrooms larger, Richmark Holdings, in joint partnership with Chatz Charity, are hoping to make a difference. Limited funds allowed for minimal improvements when Sunrise Combined College went private in 2005. The problem of overcrowded classrooms was still a major issue in the school that was built of cheap corrugated sheets of iron. In 2012, the situation began to look up when the Chatz Charity constructed new classroom walls out of wood and ordered new blackboards for each room. The same year, after noticing that many of the young children were arriving at school hungry, a kitchen area was installed. By the end of 2012, the five-member staff in the onsite kitchen was already handing out food to some 560 children. The healthy meals consist of hotdogs, rice, sandwiches and mince. In addition, they made juices enriched with vitamins available. From 10:30 each morning, children begin to line up to receive their meal, which turned out to be the only time some of the children ate each day. The charity took it one step further by putting up a roofed area outdoors where the children could eat their meals. It installed playground equipment on the outdoors play area and is in the midst of planning a library. After noticing that there were many young children waiting in the schoolyard for two to three hours at a time, a plan is underway to build an after school care centre where the young ones can be protected from the harsh weather conditions. 

Richmark Holdings Supports Creative Entrepreneurs

Richmark Holdings was founded in 2000 as a venture capital company focussing on helping talented entrepreneurs in South Africa. It helped them build innovative businesses that could sustain long-term growth by taking an active part in making decisions. After many years of helping start-ups reach their full potential, Richmark Holdings switched paths and now concentrates most of their efforts on established businesses with at least two years of good operating records. With its new and concentrated efforts on more established companies, Richmark still holds true to its original goal of helping develop the South African economy through empowering people with jobs and funding that strengthens new ventures. 

Richmark Backs Ski Surf Champion in Hawaii

Well-known in South Africa for providing extensive funding to promising individuals and enterprises in business and in sport, Richmark Holdings, and its Executive Chairman Gavin Varejes, are proud sponsors of Oscar Chalupsky. The South African ski surf aficionado is set to take part in his 19th Molokai Challenge in Hawaii. Chalupsky has already succeeded in bringing home the title 12 times since the first time in 1983 when he was 20 and he is determined to make that 13 in 2013.

The Molokai is an arduous 51 km ocean paddle that runs across the Kaiwi Channel between Oahu and Molokai. Big swells, intense humidity and heat, and strong winds fight the efforts of the paddlers and their endurance is tested to the very limits. Oscar Chalupsky is experienced with the strenuous conditions and is preparing for it with an intense workout regime that involves running to the gym every day where he trains in the sauna, swims and does spinning sessions before running back home again. His training also includes regular long distance paddles that simulate the Molokai during which Chalupsky replicates the onerous weather conditions by wearing layers of thermal clothing and a raincoat.

Although in his fiftieth year, Oscar Chalupsky has not lost the impetus of his sporting career. His daily training has seen to it that he is a lot more fit than men half his age. After rigorous tests, the doctor responsible for the health of the Springboks, Craig Roberts, proclaimed that Chalupsky's measured fitness was at a level expected of Olympic athletes in their twenties. Roberts claims that seeing results of this degree in somebody at this age is exceptional and something he has not come across before. Oscar Chalupsky's enhanced level of fitness coupled with his harsh training program and the experience of many years of ocean paddling is what may be the perfect combination to help the paddling devotee secure his 13th victory in the Molokai Challenge in Hawaii.

Oscar Chalupsky

Gavin Varejes supports J9 Foundaton

Despite the damaging effects that Motor Neuron Disease has inflicted on Joost van der Westhuizen, the former South African scrum-half continues to display an incredibly positive attitude and has vowed to fight the disease with the same strength and determination that he showed throughout his distinguished rugby career.
Once he discovered that he was suffering from MND, van der Westhuizen setup the J9 Foundation with the aim of providing support to others diagnosed with the same condition and to bring some comfort to their lives.
Among the characteristics of MND are slurred speech, creeping paralysis and difficulty in breathing, with life expectancy rarely more than five years from the onset of the disease.
On March 12th 2013, a fundraising dinner was held at a central London hotel at which many former and present day rugby stars were present to pay tribute to one of the greatest scrum-halves to have graced the game.
The dinner was organized by Gavin Varejes, a friend of van der Westhuizen and the founder of the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA). In his moving welcoming speech, Varejes read out texts from a number of rugby greats, including former Springbok captain Francois Pienaar and John Eales the one time captain of Australia. 
Whilst most of the speakers were quick to highlight van der Westhuizen’s impressive rugby achievements, van der Westhuizen was keen for people to look at the more important things in life and to appreciate each and every day of their lives.
Because of his condition, Van der Westhuizen was unable to go on stage to deliver a speech; but in a pre-recorded video message he had the audience totally absorbed with his every word.
The evening ended with an auction of mostly rugby memorabilia, at which close to £100,000 was raised towards the J9 Foundation.

The Annual Put Foot Rally

 

The Put Foot Foundation, established in 2012 by  Daryn Hillhouse, Mike Sharman and  Dan Nash, is one of the two major charities supported by the Wachizungu charity organisation. Conducting the first of what will become an annual rally called the Put Foot Rally; the Put Foot Foundation has developed a unique and fun way to attract interest in their charitable cause. With the Put Foot Foundation focussing on supplying shoes to poor children from rural and underprivileged communities, the Put Foot Rally is a way for adventure seekers to take part in the cause while they assist the Put Foot Foundation in distributing the much needed footwear.

Commencing in June 2013, the 60 crew rally will be conducted over 18 days across 8000 kilometres of Southern Africa. The Wachizungu charity will have two “crews” in the Put Foot Rally and they have already attracted a significant amount of support and interest from supporters and benefactors. Gavin Varejes, CEO of Richmark and one of the founders of the South African Rugby Legends Association, has donated over R100, 000 to the Wachizungu Crew.

A highly active philanthropist, Gavin Varejes is involved with various charity groups and foundation. A founder of SARLA with John Allen, former Springbok rugby player, Gavin also supports the John Smit Foundation and the Kirsty Watts Foundation. The Put Foot Rally, being the adventure based event that it is, was right up sports mad Gavin Varejes alley, and with that SARLA were behind the Wachizungu Cre

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The Wachizungu Crew took their name from the African term used to describe mostly European explorers, who first arrived in African and seemingly behaving with little purpose. Unlike those Europeans who were “roaming about aimlessly”, the Wachizungu Crew will be going all out to bring a  difference to the many young children who benefit from the charity work of the Put Foot Foundation.