More than 800 primary school students in Cape Town enjoyed a day of rugby, learning and creativity as Emirates, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the Kolisi Foundation brought the Emirates Nourishment Programme to life at a local school. 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 partners showed how good nutrition, education and the power of sport can help children build confidence and realise their potential.

The day began with the Emirates Nourishment Programme, as the partners helped prepare and serve breakfast porridge, ensuring the school’s children started their day nourished and ready to learn. A nutritious breakfast can make a meaningful difference to a child’s ability to concentrate, participate in class and make the most of learning opportunities.

The activation offered a glimpse into the wider work of the Emirates Nourishment Programme, a multi-year initiative delivered by the Kolisi Foundation in partnership with Emirates and EPCR. The programme aims to provide approximately 400,000 nutritious breakfasts annually, reaching around 2,000 learners each year through participating schools and Early Childhood Development centres. By helping children access breakfast consistently, the programme seeks to support their readiness to learn and participate in school.

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.”

Mahlatse Mashua, Managing Director of the Kolisi Foundation, said, “Meaningful impact starts with understanding the barriers children face and being intentional about addressing them. What makes this partnership special is how it brings nutrition, education and sport together in a sustained approach. Ultimately, the measure of a successful partnership is not simply what we do together, but what becomes possible for the children 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.”

With the DHL Stormers also joining the activities, the day gave students the opportunity to 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, 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 early education, Emirates delivered 820 backpacks from the Aircrafted KIDS collection to the primary school, 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 swap 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 assisted by Emirates Cabin Crew and team members, the session introduced students to the possibilities of upcycling, showing 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 given a colourful new addition, through a collaborative mural created with Cape Town-based artist Skhumbuzo Salman, the founder and creative force behind Skubalisto art. 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 resource.

The learners played an integral role in bringing the artwork to life, painting most of the mural’s vibrant background. For many, it was their first time working with spray paint, yet they approached the challenge with confidence and enthusiasm, making a significant contribution to the finished artwork. The process transformed the mural into a shared creative achievement, giving the children an opportunity to develop new skills, express themselves and take pride in a lasting piece of art within their school community, while reinforcing the importance of water conservation through hands-on participation.

Skumbuzo Salman, founder of Skubalisto said, “Painting has a unique ability to communicate what words sometimes cannot. I wanted the children to be part of creating something meaningful for their school, something they could take pride in and recognise as their own. During the painting process, they started comparing the girl in the mural to their classmates and even debating what to name her. That was a powerful moment because it showed me that they were connecting with the artwork and making it part of their own story. The mural will remain at the school for years to come as a reminder of this day and the possibilities it represents. When children meet inspiring people and experience new things, they begin to imagine futures beyond what they already know. Whether one of them becomes a rugby player, a pilot, a member of cabin crew or follows an entirely different path, I hope the experience leaves them with a greater sense of what is possible.”

Launched in June 2026, the Emirates Nourishment Programme brings together nutritional support and the inspirational power of rugby to help children overcome barriers to learning and development. Through schools and Early Childhood Development centres in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, the programme aims to support 2,000 children each year with consistent access to breakfast, alongside opportunities to engage with inspirational role models.

Since its launch in School Term 3, the programme has delivered more than 35,000 breakfasts across participating sites, between June and September 2026.

Running until at least 2030, the programme represents 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.