Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Leading black golfer James Kamte and Charl Schwartzel have been invited to take part in the annual Nelson Mandela Invitational at the Arabella Country Estates in November.

Kamte, winner of the Seekers Travel Pro-Am which he won early this month and Schwartzel, the winner of the Sunshine Tour's Order of Merit, were invited because of their performance last year.

An excited Kamte said the event was one of the biggest tournaments in the country.

"It's a big one and very good for me and the country. I was invited last year and I played. That was the first time playing against top golfers and celebrities.

"Now that I know the course well I stand a chance to win it. I'm going to improve where I left off last year," he said.

Back in the line-up, which features professionals from both the Champions and regular Tours, as well as celebrities and businessmen, are Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman and John Bland.

Joining them from the Champions Tour is recent Major winner Mark McNulty, as well as Bobby Lincoln, who has won on the European Seniors Tour this year, and ever-popular Zimbabwean Tony Johnstone.

Among the regular-tour professionals joining Goosen and Immelman is Englishman and world number 14 Luke Donald, who has once again featured strongly on the PGA Tour this year including a top-10 in the US Masters.

Also in the celebrity line-up is Olympian legend Sir Steve Redgrave, while former Premiership football star Ian Wright has also confirmed his participation.

The executive director of Coca-Cola South Africa, Alex Maditsi, confirmed Coca-Cola's commitment to the tournament and to raising funds for the two beneficiary children's charities, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Gary Player Foundation.

"Coca-Cola is proud to be associated with Nelson Mandela and Gary Player," he said.

The Nelson Mandela Invitational is now in its eighth year, and has raised about R20million for its charities.