VUSA’s 67 Minutes and More

Every year on Mandela Day, we are reminded of the powerful words spoken by the great Nelson Mandela himself: "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children" These words resonate deeply with us at the VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy, as we witness firsthand both the challenges and the triumphs of our beloved South Africa.

In our work within the non-profit sector, we encounter the complexities of our society on a daily basis. We witness the struggles faced by our children, the disparities that exist, and the pressing issues that demand our attention. Mandela's observation that we are failing our children weighs heavily on our hearts.

However, amidst these challenges, we also witness something truly remarkable. We see the unwavering dedication of individuals who embody the spirit of Ubuntu—the belief that we are all interconnected and that our actions have the power to transform lives. These incredible people are the bedrock of our community—the supporters, the volunteers, the donors—who selflessly give their time, resources, and expertise to uplift those whom society has let down.

We are proud of what VUSA has achieved. We place sport, education, kindness, inclusion, and empowerment at the heart of our goals. We are committed to providing opportunities for our children to thrive, to learn, and to become the leaders of tomorrow.

None of this would be possible without your support and generosity. Whether you have volunteered your time, donated funds, or shared your expertise, your contribution matters more than you can imagine. You are the reason our programs exist, the reason dreams are realized, and the reason hope endures.

As we celebrate Mandela Day together, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a better future for all. Let us continue to rally around our children, supporting them in their pursuit of greatness. Together, we can bring about the change that Mandela envisioned—a society where every child is cherished, nurtured, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Please scroll down to see highlights of our second term and upcoming events that you won’t want to miss.

Thank you for being a part of the VUSA community and for standing alongside us in this journey. Your belief in our mission inspires us every day.

Brendan, Mak, Nikki & the VUSA Team

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Mandela Day

We had an incredible day honoring the legacy of Nelson Mandela in Langa. The community came together for a Clean-up Day, and it was heartwarming to see the involvement of the VUSA children and Bishops families.

Thanks to We Act for Change, who generously provided a soup truck that warmed us up on this chilly morning.

Damien from Plant the Seed delivered an eye-opening talk to the children about the impact of litter on our planet. It was inspiring to witness the children's dedication as they spent their 67 minutes cleaning up the Langa Quarter.

After the clean-up, we had a thrilling soccer tournament between Shoprite Langa and VUSA. It was a nail-biting match, but in the end, Shoprite emerged as the Mandela Day champions with a 4-3 victory! Congratulations to the entire team! A heartfelt thank you to Shoprite for joining us on this momentous day and sharing in the spirit of Mandela. Your presence made a difference in our community.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Basadi Ambulance and our Langa Safety Patrol Men for their unwavering commitment to keeping us safe. Your presence and support are invaluable.

💙 We can't help but think that Madiba would have loved this special morning. His legacy lives on through each act of kindness and unity.

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R.I.P

The world has certainly lost a legend! Our condolences to Nick Koster’s family and friends. A true gentleman who will be missed by all at Bishops and VUSA.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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VUSA VOLUNTEERS

We extend our deepest gratitude to the remarkable parents who volunteer at the Dalukhanyo creche on Tuesday mornings. These compassionate individuals generously offer their time and energy to engage with the children, fostering an environment of love, care, and learning. Their involvement has had a profound impact on the little ones, as they experience enhanced cognitive and social development through interactive play, storytelling, and creative exercises. Thank you to each of you for your invaluable contribution to the growth and well-being of our young learners.

TRY TIME

We take immense pride in the remarkable progress our VUSA children have made during this rugby season, both on and off the field. Their relentless hard work and unwavering determination have been the driving force behind their continuous improvement. Our U9s, in particular, have embraced their first taste of competitive matches with enthusiasm, eagerly putting into practice the skills they have acquired. This remarkable growth is a testament to the exceptional care and dedication shown by our coaches. Their genuine concern for the well-being and development of each child has created an environment where our young athletes feel nurtured and supported. Thank you to all the hosting schools for always making our children feel so welcome and for often including a meal, further enhancing the experience.

WELLNESS

We are dedicated to equipping our coaches with the necessary tools to provide optimal support to the children they work with. As part of this commitment, we recently conducted a six-week workshop led by Nicky Seymour from Sisanda FunDaytion. The workshop focused on supporting positive behavior and fostering resilience. Mental health is a core focus for us, and it is crucial that our coaches receive continuous training to identify children who may require additional support due to the challenging circumstances they face in township living. We are grateful to Nicky Seymour for her expertise and guidance in this area.

Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Christopher Ekron and Mogammad Manuel from Bishops Diocesan College, who not only conduct Wellness assessments for our children but are also providing training to our VUSA staff. Their efforts will empower our staff to implement the wellness program independently in the future, ensuring the sustained well-being and growth of our VUSA community.

AWAKEN OPPORTUNITIES

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Total Ninja for organizing an unforgettable outing for 30 VUSA children and 40 Bishops boys. The afternoon was filled with opportunities for the children to get to know each other, fostering social cohesion and friendship. The highlight of the outing was sharing a delicious pizza and refreshments together. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Prep PA, especially Fika Madubela and Marie Venn, for their invaluable assistance in coordinating the day. We are immensely grateful to Gavin Moran and Dorita Correia from Total Ninja for their incredible generosity and support, making this outing possible.

We would also like to acknowledge Nicholas Turck, a Bishops Prep boy, who approached VUSA with a heartwarming gesture. Nicholas generously decided to spend his pocket money on organizing a fun day for the VUSA U12s at Bishops. He contributed his pocket money to provide boerie rolls, treating the children to a delicious dinner before heading back to Langa. We are truly grateful for the kindness and compassion displayed by Nicholas, and we admire his initiative in creating a special experience for our children.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such amazing individuals and organizations who continuously create new and wonderful opportunities for our children. Their dedication and support are instrumental in shaping the lives of our young learners, and we extend our deepest appreciation to everyone involved in making these experiences possible.

Thank you to this amazing group of students from the USA, who dedicated their time to run creche and holiday camps for our U12s during the recent holidays. Their presence and efforts were truly remarkable and left a lasting impact on the children at Dalukhanyo and Nomonde creches. The students captivated the creche children with engaging songs, activities, and games, creating an environment of joy and learning. Additionally, every afternoon, they introduced the U12s to various sports and activities, providing them with the opportunity to meet people from distant places. Their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the children during this extended mid-year break is commendable.

We are immensely grateful to these talented, kind, and wonderful students for sharing their skills and passion with our children. Their presence brought smiles to the faces of the young learners and enriched their holiday experiences. We would also like to express our gratitude to GVI for organizing and arranging the tour. Congratulations to GVI for the incredible work they are doing in creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange and community engagement. Their dedication to making a positive difference is truly inspiring.

THE ATLAS DIGIBUS

The Atlas Digibus continues to revolutionize the programs we can offer, thanks to the access it provides to digital resources. This year, we are thrilled to introduce a coding program for Grade 5 learners, known as Code4Kids. The children have wholeheartedly embraced this exciting opportunity, demonstrating their love for the program. Code4Kids not only develops their language skills but also fosters critical thinking and teamwork, preparing them for the challenges of the digital age. We are in awe of the Atlas Digibus team's ingenuity in setting up webpages, making these programs accessible and engaging for our students.

In addition, we are proud to announce the integration of the Reading Eggs program into the Grade 4 English curriculum, made possible by the generous support of 3P Learning. This incredible bus from the Atlas Foundation, along with the funding provided by Coronation Fund Managers, ensures that our children have access to 21st-century learning resources. We are immensely grateful for their commitment to empowering our students with the tools they need to thrive in today's rapidly evolving world.

CAPITEC U13 MARKET DAY

Mark your calendars for an exciting event! We are thrilled to announce that on August 26th, we will be hosting our second market day in Langa. This event is the culmination of the monthly entrepreneurial workshops hosted by the exceptional staff of Capitec Bank for our U13s. These workshops have been instrumental in teaching our young learners the necessary skills and knowledge to start their own small businesses.

The market day will be a fantastic opportunity for our children to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit and hard work with a little bit of help from our friends at Shoprite / Checkers. They have been putting their creative minds to work, brainstorming innovative ideas for their little businesses.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the extraordinary staff of Capitec Bank for their dedication in organizing these workshops and empowering our U13s with valuable entrepreneurial skills. Their efforts are shaping the future of our young learners, fostering independence, creativity, and a strong work ethic. Please mark the date, August 26th, and make a note to visit the market day in Langa. Your support will play an instrumental role in motivating and inspiring our children as they take their first steps into the business world.

CELEBRATIONS WITH THE BUSY BEES AND MAYOR GEORDIN HILL-LEWIS

FREEDOM DAY RUN

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