Emirates, EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation launch the Emirates Nourishment Program | News
Emirates, European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the Kolisi Foundation have launched the Emirates Nourishment Programme, a long-term initiative designed to ensure thousands of children start every school day with a nutritious breakfast, giving them a stronger foundation to learn, develop and thrive.
Across South Africa, an estimated 15 to 16 million people experience food insecurity, with children often bearing the greatest burden. Breakfast is often the first meal sacrificed, yet it is one of the most important meals for a child’s ability to concentrate, participate in class, and learn throughout the day. The Emirates Nourishment Program aims to address this issue by providing approximately 400,000 nutritious breakfasts each year – approximately 1.6 million breakfasts over the initial four-year partnership – giving approximately 2,000 students each year the opportunity to start each school day nourished and ready to learn.
The initiative, which will run until 2030, combines nutritional support with the inspirational power of rugby, providing children with opportunities not only to consistently access breakfast, but also to connect with role models who demonstrate resilience, teamwork and leadership.
The Kolisi Foundation believes that sustainable change requires addressing inequality in all its interconnected forms. Through programs focused on food security, education, gender-based violence prevention and sport, the Foundation works with communities and strategic partners to remove barriers that prevent young people from reaching their full potential.
Commenting on the launch of the Emirates Nourishment Programme, Siya Kolisi, Founder of the Foundation said: “No child should have to choose between learning and hunger. I know from my own journey how many opportunities can change a life, but it’s hard to dream, focus or believe in yourself when you’re hungry. That’s why this program is important. A nutritious breakfast may seem like a simple thing, but for a child it can mean coming to school ready to learn, grow and believe in what is possible is.”
The Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mahlatse Mashua, added: “Good nutrition is one of the most powerful investments we can make in a child’s future. A breakfast served consistently over an entire school year not only satisfies hunger, it improves attendance, supports cognitive development, enables children to participate more fully in the classroom and creates better conditions for learning. Those seemingly ordinary mornings add up over time to extraordinary opportunities.
“We are grateful to Emirates and EPCR for their commitment to this shared vision. Together we are helping to create an environment where children can focus on being kids, learning, growing and building a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.”
Jacques Raynaud, CEO of EPCR, said: “Rugby has a unique ability to unite people, inspire communities and create meaningful change beyond the field of play. Through our impact strategy, EPCR is committed to harnessing that power and working with partners who share our ambition to leave a positive legacy.
“The Emirates Nourishment Program is a perfect example of what can be achieved when organizations come together around a common purpose. Together with Emirates and the Kolisi Foundation, we will support thousands of children across South Africa with the nutrition they need to learn, develop and thrive. We are incredibly proud to launch this program and excited about the impact it will create in the years to come.”
Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager for South Africa said: “At Emirates, we have a legacy of connecting communities through our sponsorship portfolio, using sport as a platform for social inclusion and youth development. Through this partnership with EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation, we hope to remove one of the barriers that can stand in the way of learning and opportunity, helping young people reach their full potential and creating a positive impact that extends far beyond the classroom.”
By combining consistent nutritional support with the unifying power of rugby, the Emirates Nourishment Program represents a long-term investment in the children of South Africa. Together, Emirates, EPCR and the Kolisi Foundation are ensuring thousands of young people start every school day nourished, ready to learn and better equipped to realize their potential.
