The Inaugural VUSA Gala Dinner

Join Us for the Inaugural VUSA Gala Dinner

VUSA Rugby and Learning Academy, in partnership with Anchor Capital, invites you to an unforgettable evening on Thursday, 21 May 2026 at Moyo Kirstenbosch.

This inaugural Gala Dinner brings together powerful storytelling, community and connection, centred around a Fireside Chat hosted by Stormers and Bishops coach, Tank Lanning.

Theme:
Access, Belonging and the Price of Opportunity

The conversation will feature three South Africans whose journeys through rugby and education offer very different perspectives on access, belonging and what opportunity truly requires.

Guests will enjoy:
• A three course dinner with welcome drinks
• A live auction featuring exclusive experiences
• An opportunity to connect with the VUSA community
• A DJ set to close the evening

Based in Langa and supported by the Bishops community, VUSA reaches over 1,300 primary school learners each year, using rugby as a platform to strengthen education outcomes, build resilience and unlock opportunity.

Tickets
R950 per person
R7,600 for a table of eight

Seats are limited.

WE ARE HIRING

First Term Newsletter 2026

What we have built over the years is not one programme or one idea. It is an ecosystem. A network of people, routines, relationships and care that together create a space where children feel safe, seen and supported every day.

It is never just one person or one programme; it is all of us, showing up, every day.

End of Year Newsletter

This year, at our Christmas party, something small stopped us in our tracks.
We set up a simple photo booth. The children lined up, posed, laughed, and then waited for the printouts. As soon as the photos appeared, we watched them studying their own faces with a mix of pride, excitement, and something deeper.

Most of our children don’t have photos of themselves at home. For many, this was the first picture they could hold in their hands. A moment frozen. Proof that they matter.

That little square of paper said everything we’ve tried to build this year. A place where children are seen. A place where they belong. A place that captures who they are now and who they can become.

Langa to London - ActiveOps Capacity25

Last year, our partnership with the Great British 7s and the Active Ops, Try for Good campaign turned a weekend of rugby into something lasting: R80,000 raised to build our new computer lab for our VUSA new hub of excellence. This October, we’ve been invited to Capacity25 in London to share that journey; how a few days of sport created long-term impact and why partnerships like these matter.

We see this as an opportunity to strengthen both global and South African partnerships. If you’re in London for Capacity25 or connected to organisations that could walk this journey with us, we’d love to meet.

You can view a brief overview of our work by clicking the button below, or explore the rest of our website to see the many ways we create impact.

Third Term News

Dear VUSA Community

This term, the meaning of Heritage Day offered us pause to reflect on the stories, values and traditions that connect us. Heritage is not only about looking back at what we inherit, it is also about recognising what we build for the future. At VUSA, that heritage is being shaped in the resilience of our children, in the skills and confidence they are developing, and in the commitment of a community that refuses to let circumstance define opportunity.

A short reel we came across recently captured this so well. A group of young people lined up to race for a prize. Before the whistle blew, they were asked a few questions: Are your parents still married? Have you never had to worry about where your next meal comes from? Have you never had to worry about your data running out? Would you be able to go to college without excelling in sport or academics? Did you go to a private school? With each “yes,” participants took two steps forward. By the end, some were nearly at the finish line before the race even started, while others were still at the start line.

Mid-Year News

Youth Day is more than a public holiday. It’s a reminder of what young people can do when they’re given a voice and the urgency of making sure every child has the tools to shape their own future. It invites us to reflect not only on the past, but on the present; on the quiet, everyday choices being made in homes, classrooms and communities to shape a better tomorrow for South Africa. It reminds us that real change does not always come with loud declarations. Sometimes, it’s found in the quiet act of showing up, day after day, so a child knows they can count on you.

At VUSA, we’ve seen the power of that kind of presence. We’ve felt it in the steady work of our coaches, social worker, academic team and catering staff; people who bring not only their skills, but their hearts.

First Term News - March 2025

Last week, South Africa marked Human Rights Day — a time to reflect not only on the freedoms we enjoy, but also on the unfinished work of ensuring every child has the right to learn, to feel safe, and to dream beyond their circumstances.

At VUSA, human rights are not just principles we speak about. They are the driving force behind everything we do. Whether in the classroom, on the rugby field, or through our daily meals programme, we are breaking down barriers that have held too many children back for too long…

VUSA Open Day

Exciting Opportunity for Your Child!

📍 Where: Ikhaya Le Langa, Bitterhout Street 📅 When: Saturday 18 Jan 10 AM – 1 PM

Looking for a dynamic after-school program for your child? VUSA invites children aged 7–13 to join our exciting and enriching programs that provide: ✨ Rugby ✨ Digital Maths, English & Coding ✨ Homework Support ✨ Visual Art & Music/Choir ✨ A hot daily meal ✨ On-site social worker support

Bring your kids along – our coaches and facilitators will showcase their skills and give a sneak peek into our digital and arts programs.

💡 What to Bring: 📜 Your child’s 2024 December school report 📄 Their birth certificate

The only cost is your child’s commitment. Spaces are limited for each program, so don’t miss out!

We can’t wait to meet you and your child tomorrow! 🌟

#AwakenOpportunities #VUSAAfterSchool #EmpoweringYouth #EducationThroughSport #LangaCommunity #Digitallearning

2025 REGISTRATION