- More than 800 Cape Town primary school students took part in a day of nutrition, rugby, education and creativity as part of the Emirates Nourishment Programme
- Emirates, EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation were joined by DHL Stormers players, including Siya Kolisi, to inspire children through rugby, teamwork and positive role models
- The long-term programme aims to support 2,000 children every year across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, helping them overcome barriers to learning and reach their potential
Emirates, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the Kolisi Foundation have brought the Emirates Nourishment Programme to life in Cape Town, highlighting the power of nutrition, education and sport to help children overcome barriers to learning and realise their potential.
EPCR, organisers of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup – tournaments that involve the five South African rugby franchises – teamed up with their Premium Partner Emirates and the Kolisi Foundation to deliver the new programme.
Launched in June 2026, the Emirates Nourishment Programme is a long-term initiative supporting children across South Africa by providing consistent access to nutritious breakfasts, educational resources and opportunities to engage with inspirational sporting role models. Delivered through schools and Early Childhood Development centres in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, the programme aims to support 2,000 children every year, helping them start their day nourished, ready to learn and equipped with the confidence and skills to thrive.
As part of the programme, more than 800 students in Eluxolweni Primary School in Cape Town recently enjoyed a day combining breakfast, rugby, education and creativity, joined by DHL Stormers players, Kolisi Foundation founder Siya Kolisi, Emirates Cabin Crew and team members from South Africa and Dubai, and EPCR representatives.
The day began with the Emirates Nourishment Programme, with the partners helping to prepare and serve breakfast porridge to the school’s children. By providing children with a nutritious start to the school day, the programme aims to help remove one of the barriers that can prevent children from fully engaging with their education, while creating an environment where they can concentrate, participate and learn.
Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager of Southern Africa, said: “At Emirates, we believe meaningful partnerships are those that make a lasting difference. Through the Emirates Nourishment Programme, we’re working with our partners to support children in ways that go beyond the classroom – providing nutrition to help them learn, access to resources that support their education and connecting them with inspiring role models. It’s a privilege to be part of an initiative that invests in South Africa’s next generation and reflects Emirates’ longstanding commitment to supporting the communities we serve.”
Following breakfast, DHL Stormers players took to the school grounds to lead an engaging rugby clinic. Through fun drills and small-sided games, Siya Kolisi, Lukhanyo Vokozela, BJ Dixon, Markus Muller, Ruan Ackermann, Leolin Zas, Vernon Matongo and JJ Kotze introduced students to the fundamentals of the game, while encouraging teamwork, communication, resilience and problem-solving – skills that extend well beyond the rugby field.
Siya Kolisi, Founder of the Kolisi Foundation, said, “Every child is born with potential, but not every child has the same opportunity to realise it. Whether it’s access to nutritious food, learning resources or someone who believes in them, our responsibility is to help remove those barriers. Today is incredibly special, but what excites me most is that this programme goes beyond today. It’s about giving every child the opportunity to thrive. It is easy to do a one-off partnership, but when you show long term commitment, it’s really important to create safety and security.”
The involvement of the DHL Stormers gave students the opportunity to meet and learn from sporting role models who demonstrate what can be achieved through perseverance, collaboration and belief in oneself.
DHL Stormers’ Vernon Matongo, who participated in the activity, said: “It was special to see what Emirates, EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation are doing. Some of those kids will only have the meal from the Nourishment Programme that they get in the morning, and that’s it for the day. And then they must concentrate in class and play sport in the afternoon. I don’t think any kid should have to go through those circumstances.
“In a team, you get to know your teammates’ stories, and some players in the Stormers came from similar backgrounds. So, I think it’s very important to go and give back. Being able to contribute is massive; being able to see that was special for us. The kids from the programme also came to the game (against Bristol Bears), and it was very special to have them there.”
Further supporting the students’ education, Emirates delivered 820 backpacks from its Aircrafted KIDS collection, each equipped with stationery, water bottles and age-appropriate books written by local authors. Blending culturally rich stories with interactive learning opportunities, the books encourage children to explore new ideas, develop a love of reading and share stories with their classmates.
Aircrafted KIDS supports early childhood education by providing essential school supplies and helping remove a common barrier to learning: access to resources. To date, nearly 4,000 Aircrafted KIDS backpacks have been distributed to schools and community centres around the globe.
The students also put their creativity to work in a bag charm workshop, making personalised decorations for their Aircrafted KIDS backpacks using upcycled leather repurposed from Emirates’ A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Led by Maite Gonzalez Eizaguirre, Head of Emirates Aircrafted at Emirates Engineering, and supported by Emirates Cabin Crew and team members, the session introduced students to the possibilities of upcycling and showed how materials can be given a new purpose through imagination and craftsmanship.
Brenda Mangali, the school principal, said, “They say it takes a village to raise a child, and today is a beautiful reminder of that. We are incredibly grateful to have partners, parents and our community come together around our children. Beyond the excitement of today, the greatest gift is the message it sends to every learner: you matter, you are valued, and we believe in your future.”
Jacques Raynaud, EPCR CEO, said: “This programme shows what rugby can do beyond the pitch. Seeing the DHL Stormers players, our partners and the children share breakfast, a training session and a creative afternoon together is exactly what we hoped this programme would bring. Through impACT, our CSR strategy, we want our competitions to leave a positive and lasting legacy in the communities that welcome them, and South Africa is now very much part of our rugby family. We are proud to stand alongside Emirates and the Kolisi Foundation to help these children start every school day ready to learn.”
The school’s exterior was also transformed with a colourful new mural created through a collaboration with Cape Town-based artist Skhumbuzo Salman, founder and creative force behind Skubalisto. Painted on one of the school walls, the mural celebrates South Africa’s natural beauty, featuring Table Mountain, protea flowers and lush foliage. At its centre, a young person stands against the vibrant landscape, highlighting the importance of water as the foundation of life and the need to protect this vital resource.
Students helped bring the artwork to life using stencils of monstera and palm leaves, making the mural a shared creative project while introducing an important message about water conservation in an engaging and hands-on way.
Since its launch in June 2026, the Emirates Nourishment Programme has distributed more than 35,000 breakfasts to children across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, helping provide children with a consistent nutritional foundation for their school day.
The programme will run until at least 2030, representing a long-term investment in South Africa’s children and their futures. By bringing together nutrition, education, sport and community engagement, Emirates, EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation are working to create an environment in which children can arrive at school ready to learn, discover their strengths and build the foundations for a brighter future.
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Featured Image: Supplied
