An evening in support of VUSA
Awaken
Opportunities
Annual Fundraising Dinner 2026
📅 2026
🕖 6:00 PM Onwards
✦ Formal Dress
The Evening
Programme of Events
6:00 – 6:30
Arrival & Welcome Drinks
Join us for welcome drinks and canapés, accompanied by live marimba music performed by the Bishops Prep Marimba Ensemble.
7:00 PM
Welcome Address
Wandile Nzuza — Master of Ceremonies
7:15 PM
Starters Served
Please take your seats as our first course is presented.
7:30 PM
Fireside Chat
An intimate conversation hosted by Tank Lanning — exploring rugby, resilience, and the stories behind our panellists.
⚡ Featured Event
8:00 PM
Auction Opens
14 curated auction items. Auctioneer: Stef Olivier from Bidway.
8:30 PM
Main Course & Live Music
Dinner served, accompanied by live music from Roger Eskinazi.
9:30 PM
Live Auction & Raffle
Stef Olivier takes the floor for the live auction, followed by the announcement of raffle prize winners.
🎯 Raise the Paddle
9:55 PM
Message from the Founder
Brendan Fogarty — Founder & Director, VUSA
10:00 PM
Dance Floor Opens
DJ LJ takes over — let's celebrate!
Fireside Chat Host
Fireside Chat · Host & Panellist
Tank Lanning
An ex-Western Province and SA Schools tighthead prop, Tank's playing career was cut short at 24 by a neck injury. After 20 hugely successful years in media and marketing, he returned to rugby as a forwards and scrum coach — guiding the UCT Ikeys Varsity Cup pack for four years before joining Bishops as 1st XV forwards coach and scrum mentor to the school.
Now contracted by the Stormers as their U20 Bolts scrum coach, Tank also runs his own Scrum School, offering private coaching to players looking to master the dark arts of the front row.
Now contracted by the Stormers as their U20 Bolts scrum coach, Tank also runs his own Scrum School, offering private coaching to players looking to master the dark arts of the front row.
Fireside Chat
The Panel
A powerful conversation with three exceptional South Africans whose journeys through education and sport reflect both the talent that exists across our country and the role opportunity plays in shaping futures.
Through personal stories of resilience, access, missed opportunities and achievement, Nasser de Kock, Onke Mtyotywa and Tiga Makhunga will explore what it takes for young people to unlock their potential in South Africa today.
Because talent exists in every community. Opportunity should too.
Panellist · Bishops Alumni
Nassar De Kock
An alumnus of Bishops Diocesan College, Nassar holds a BCom in Finance & Economics and an Honours in Finance from UCT. He currently works as an Associate in Financial Advice at Citadel Investment Services, working towards becoming a fully qualified financial advisor.
Panellist · VUSA Alumni
Onke Mtyotywa
A proud VUSA alumnus from Isilimela Secondary School, Onke is in his third year pursuing a BCom in Financial Accounting (CA stream) at the University of Cape Town — a living testament to the power of opportunity and perseverance.
Panellist · VUSA Coach
Mzwandile "Tiga" Makhunga
Born and raised in Zwide, Tiga is a sportsman, coach, and community builder. Now serving as a VUSA coach and administrator, he channels his passion for sport into awakening opportunity for the next generation of young South Africans.
Support the Cause
Auction & Raffle
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🎙️ Live auction conducted by Stef Olivier from Bidway — South Africa's premier charity auction platform.