VUSA - First Term Update

In Loving Memory of of Liyabona Mancoba 23/02/2012 - 24/01/2024 RIP

It is with sadness that we begin this newsletter as a tribute, to remember and honor the life of Liyabona Mancoba. Liyabona was not just a participant in our VUSA programme; she was a great teammate, a beloved friend, and a cherished member of our community.

As we navigate this period of grief and remembrance, we also find moments of hope and inspiration in the successes of our participants. Each of our 1300 registered children brings their unique talents and dreams, and it is our mission to support and empower them to reach their full potential.

It brings us immense joy to share in the triumphs of our participants, such as the remarkable achievement of Onke Mtyotwa, a former VUSA participant, who excelled in the recent matriculation examinations. Onke's recognition at Alan Winde’s prestigious award ceremony serves as a testament not only to Onke’s hard work and commitment but of the talent and dedication within our ranks. However, amidst these shining moments, we must acknowledge the harsh reality that plagues our educational landscape. Despite individual triumphs, the South African schooling system continues to fail countless learners, thereby perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage and disillusionment. It is against this backdrop that our commitment to nurturing academic excellence becomes all the more crucial.

As highlighted by the recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) which revealed the alarming literacy crisis in our country (82% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning), the importance of our work has never been more clear. On World Read Aloud Day, in collaboration with Nal'ibali and Bishops, we took a stand against illiteracy, captivating the hearts and minds of over a thousand children with the enchanting tale of Stacey Fu's "The Lost Kitten." This initiative not only underscores the significance of literacy but also emphasizes the power of community and collaboration in driving positive change. For many of our participants, the path to success may lie beyond the rugby field in the pages of a book waiting to be explored.

We invite you to peruse our newsletter, where you'll find glimpses of our recent pre-season rugby matches, a welcome to the programme of a new Early Childhood Development (ECD) center to the programme, and updates to the impactful work of the Atlas Digibus and the after-school academic programmes. See the impact of all the generosity on our programme - thank you to the incredible community of donors, volunteers, partners and friends.

Together, let us continue to champion the transformative power of education and sports, thereby ensuring that every child in our community has the opportunity to thrive.

Brendan, Nikki, Lebo, Mak & the VUSA Team.

2023 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY WITH NAL’IBALI & BISHOPS

In a heartwarming collaboration, VUSA and Bishops partnered with Nal'ibali to help reach their ambitious goal of reading a book to 3 million children nationwide. With dedication and passion, we brought Stacey Fu’s story, The Lost Kitten, to 1300 eager young minds. Thank you to the Bishops boys who came out to Langa to help us reach our goal.

RUGBY

A wonderful pre-season of rugby which has prepared our children for a competitive season. Thank you to Hamiltons, Jan van Riebeeck, SSDP, ASSA and Laerskool Hendrik Louw for creating opportunities for our children to meet new people, see new places, learn new skills and showcase their own. We wish them all the best in the upcoming season.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners, 10x and Old Mutual Alternative Investments for their generous contribution and unwavering commitment to our mission of empowering our young players and fostering a love for the game.

ATLAS DIGIBUS - MEET THE 2024 TEAM

Meet the new Atlas Digibus Team. Head teacher Unathi Kapela joins us from Bay Primary. Unathi brings with her a wealth of experience and qualities that enrich our team and benefit our participants. She is kind-hearted, with a genuine passion for education and empowering young minds. With her drama degree background, Unathi brings creativity and innovative teaching methods to our programmes, making learning engaging and enjoyable. Her calm demeanor fosters a positive learning environment, and her patience ensures that every child feels supported and encouraged on their educational journey. We are thrilled to have Unathi as part of our team, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have on our participants' lives.

Siya Zwelendaba runs the after-school programme supporting children with Maths and Coding lessons.

We are grateful to Coronation Fund Managers and Ort-SA for strengthening the programme with interns, Sinecebo, Puleng, Siyamamkela, Yamkela and Zee. Thank you to Mazule for making it possible to add a new teacher to the team. We are so grateful for this incredible vessle that allows us to make a lasting impact for Grade 4 and 5 learners at the five primary schools in Langa

THE VUSA SHOP

Welcome to the VUSA shop, where hard work and kindness are the ultimate currencies! Children earn tokens throughout the week for their punctuality, academic achievements, efforts, acts of kindness, and even eco-friendly habits like recycling. As the week comes to a close, our shop opens its doors, offering a range of items for purchase or the option to save tokens for big-ticket rewards. Here, children showcase their dedication and compassion, proving that good deeds and determination truly pay off.

VOLUNTEERS

Peer Learning

Once a week, Bishops and Herschel pupils travel to Langa to assist with VUSA’s after-school programme, to assist learners with Homework, Maths, English and Coding.

ECD ANGELS

The ECD Angels continue to spread love and positivity through fun educational activities, and bring joy and laughter to the little ones faces. We were excited to introduce them to the Likhweze Educare which is where they will be volunteering this year. Should you wish to sign up, please contact: Aoife Doherty on 0760522405 or Bryony Bruce on 0836268000.

GVI

GVI leads exciting educational activities. A big Thank You to the GVI volunteers, for their time and effort in making the day special for our young learners.

GOODHOPE VOLUNTEERS

The Goodhope volunteers joined us for a fun-filled day. They engaged the kids in exciting sports activities to enhance their learning experience. We're incredibly grateful for their dedication in fostering a supportive atmosphere. Their efforts left a lasting impression on both the children and the volunteers themselves.

AFRICAN IMPACT

Each Thursday, the children are excited to meet volunteers from around the globe to shower them with care, fun and new skills.

DONATIONS

We appreciate Discovery's incredible donation of Rugby balls. These photos capture the enthusiasm and camaraderie that these new balls have sparked, and we look forward to many more memorable moments on the field thanks to Discovery's kind contribution.

We extend our deepest gratitude to 'In My Shoes' for their generous donation of footwear. What began as a humble initiative in Ireland by Ciaran McHugh and Catherine McGee to collect shoes for children in South Africa has blossomed beyond expectations, resulting in the collection of thousands of pairs. With the invaluable support of organisations like Catch (the Gary Kirsten Foundation), these shoes have found their way to various communities, including ours at VUSA. This simple act of kindness has profoundly impacted the comfort, support, and dignity of our children, thereby reminding us of the immense power of compassion and generosity. Thank you to all the generous children in Ireland and everyone involved at ‘In My Shoes’ for making a difference in their lives.

Thank you so much to OD, Johan Doms from Saratoga Fruit Estate for the generous donation of pumpkins which not only supported the children of the VUSA programme but also all our valuable partners schools and ECD centres in the Langa Community.

OUTINGS

Thank you to Claremont Roteract and Bishops Interact for inviting our under 9s for a morning of fun at SACS.

Awakening our children to new opportunities is our game and we are incredibly grateful to Harfield Harriers for inviting our children to the Milkwood Run. They experienced a new part of Cape Town, a new sport and a morning of fun. Thank you to Olympic for providing each child with a pair of shoes and to Abax Investments and Harfield Harriers for treating our children.

Last week VUSA coaches took our Under 11s for a beautiful hike from Constantia Nek to Kirstenbosch.

Thank you to the Western Provence Under 20 Players and Management Team for volunteering their time to provide a coaching clinic for our children.

UPCOMING EVENTS

IN PROUD PARTNERSHIP WITH CORONATION FUND MANAGERS.

IN PROUD PARTNERSHIP WITH INVESTEC.

WE HAVE MOVED

We are so grateful to be a part of this special community. Due to our growing team we have moved from the Bishops admin block and have been warmly welcomed by the OD Union. Please stop in for a Langa coffee at at your next visit to the Mitre.

We probably do not have to emphasize the vital role that following our social media channels plays in supporting non-profit organisations like ours. Through these platforms, we can share updates, stories, and initiatives that highlight the impact of our work and the needs of our children. We are immensely grateful to Kim and Lyndon Julius from Marchmoon Media for their invaluable assistance with our social media, marketing efforts, and staff training. Their expertise and dedication have helped us amplify our message and reach a wider audience. To learn more about this incredible duo and their contributions to our cause, please please see their bio below.

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