More than 800 primary school pupils in Cape Town took part in a day of rugby, learning and creativity as Emirates, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the Kolisi Foundation brought the Emirates Nourishment Programme to a local school, the organisations said in Cape Town on 4 November 2026. The event was 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 partners helping prepare and serve breakfast porridge for the school’s children. 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, which aims to provide approximately 400,000 nutritious breakfasts annually, reaching around 2,000 learners each year through participating schools and Early Childhood Development centres.

“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,” said Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager of Southern Africa.

“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,” said Mahlatse Mashua, Managing Director of the Kolisi Foundation.

RUGBY CLINIC AND ROLE MODELS

Following breakfast, DHL Stormers players led a rugby clinic through 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 the organisations say extend well beyond the rugby field.

“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,” said Siya Kolisi, founder of the Kolisi Foundation.

“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,” said DHL Stormers’ Vernon Matongo, who took part in the activity.

BACKPACKS, A MURAL AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Emirates also delivered 820 backpacks from its Aircrafted KIDS collection to the school, each equipped with stationery, water bottles and age-appropriate books written by local authors. Aircrafted KIDS supports early childhood education by providing school supplies; nearly 4,000 backpacks have been distributed to schools and community centres globally to date. Students also took part in a bag charm workshop, making personalised decorations using upcycled leather repurposed from Emirates’ A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, led by Maite Gonzalez Eizaguirre, Head of Emirates Aircrafted at Emirates Engineering.

The school’s exterior was given a mural created with Cape Town-based artist Skumbuzo Salman, founder of Skubalisto art, celebrating South Africa’s natural beauty and the importance of water conservation. Learners painted most of the mural’s background themselves. “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,” said Salman. “The mural will remain at the school for years to come as a reminder of this day and the possibilities it represents.”

“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,” said Brenda Mangali, the school principal. “This programme shows what rugby can do beyond the pitch,” said Jacques Raynaud, EPCR CEO. “We are proud to stand alongside Emirates and the Kolisi Foundation to help these children start every school day ready to learn.”

Launched in June 2026, the Emirates Nourishment Programme has delivered more than 35,000 breakfasts across participating sites in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban between June and September 2026, and is scheduled to run until at least 2030.