Next Media CEO Kin Kariisa’s son Shaka Kariisa has continued to make strides in South African junior golf, most recently helping Balderstone Sports Institute (BSI) to a strong finish in the Gauteng High School Super League.
The Ugandan teenager played a pivotal role alongside teammates Mongi Masuku, Connor Olfsen, and Mpho Makhado in securing a key victory at Royal Johannesburg on February 17, which earned BSI a place in the league playoffs.
The young golfers braved harsh playing conditions, with cold temperatures and persistent rain testing their resilience. According to BSI’s head of marketing, Roger King, the team needed a win to confirm their qualification.
“Their resilience was tested while playing in miserable, cold, and rainy conditions,” King noted.
Despite the challenges, Olfsen and Masuku managed to shoot level par, helping the team finish second in the league standings, just one point shy of the top spot.
With the playoffs held at Randpark Golf Course, the competition marked another significant milestone for Kariisa, who has shown remarkable progress since joining BSI last year.
His recent performances have placed him among the top performers in the BSI Junior Academy’s Order of Merit rankings, with 4,862 points as of March 3, 2025.
Following in the footsteps of his father, who is one of Uganda’s best corporate golfers—Shaka is proving himself as a formidable talent in junior golf.
With his current form, he remains one to watch as the season progresses.