Springbok legend Siya Kolisi hails Bristol-based Project Zulu

The 31-year-old flanker, who has won 68 caps for his country, is an ambassador for the charity which supports educational development and grassroots rugby across township schools in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

“Project Zulu’s work in the Madadeni Township is providing thousands of school children with the opportunity to improve their future prospects by developing essential life skills through a variety of projects,” said Kolisi.

“Their work to develop rugby within the township is a project that is particularly exciting, and I fully endorse it. I’m extremely proud to be supporting Project Zulu and their continually expanding outreach.”

Working with 12 Township schools, including primary, secondary and special educational needs, Project Zulu supports the aspirations of individual schools by offering fundraising and development opportunities for their children and teachers.

Every other year, Project Zulu brings a choir of South African children to the UK. Touring with their incredible traditional Zulu songs and dances, every penny they raise goes straight back to their schools to support further development. The success of past choir tours has so far enabled Project Zulu to purchase and install solar panels, to build multiple new classrooms, libraries and IT facilities.

Most recently, Project Zulu has completed the installation of a fully irrigated rugby pitch at Sithobelumthetho Primary School in the Madadeni Township.

Grassroots rugby is still in its early years within township communities. Project Zulu is working with the Madadeni Bears rugby team to encourage the sport amongst the younger generations. The new pitch provides a safe and clean facility for pupils to train and play and somewhere for Project Zulu to host our annual schools tag rugby tournament.

None of this work would have been possible without matched funding from the ATLAS Foundation, founded by ex-Harlequins and England prop forward Jason Leonard, and UWE Bristol.

In partnership with UWE Bristol, Project Zulu also offers the time and skills of university students and academics. Teams of student volunteers travel to South Africa every year to put their emerging professional skills to good use. Current projects include teacher development, IT installation and training and engineering to develop safe rainwater harvesting, to name a few.

Any donations received today will support the continuation of these long-standing projects including the upkeep of the Sithobelumthetho rugby pitch.