How We Help
In 2019, we officially launched the ATLAS All Schools Programme in South Africa, igniting a powerful movement that fights against crime, inequality, and discrimination while fostering resilience, integrity, and the potential for young people to thrive in their education and lives. This initiative isn’t just about education; it’s about empowering youth to overcome adversity and become pillars of strength in their communities.
Today, this vision has evolved into comprehensive programmes at Ocean View High School and Masiphumelele High School. We are expanding our reach through four more initiatives across South Africa, Eswatini, and Kenya, including our Atlas DigiBus in Langa. Our efforts also support the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute (GWRI), which plays a crucial role in our mission. By combining the strength of rugby with education, we empower those enrolled to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build futures filled with opportunity.
Our dedicated team, along with committed rugby champions, tirelessly supports children throughout South Africa and southern Africa in education, health, employment, and well-being. Together, through the unifying spirit and values of rugby, we are not only changing lives but also laying the groundwork for a more just and equitable future for all.
“We need to empower the children beyond our rugby fields, we need to create children who will become great social leaders, with a capacity to uplift others. Children that will enshrine the human values that are shared by rugby; the values of respect, tolerance, integrity and empathy.We have an opportunity of creating a new Gang (using the words of negativity into positive). I have seen it happen, I believe it can and will happen”
Our Work
A recent collaboration: The iconic New Zealand All Blacks work alongside The Atlas Foundation South Africa to support children in need.
In a remarkable show of hope, compassion, and resilience, the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team participated in two coaching clinics with Atlas Foundation South Africa to bring support and encouragement to some of the country’s most vulnerable children in Cape Town and Johannesburg. This innovative collaboration demonstrates the powerful role that sport can play in transforming lives.
To find out more about this incredible initiative, click here.
South Africa, Atlas DigiBus
The innovative project is transforming education for children in Langa, Cape Town. The Atlas Digibus is equipped with laptops and technology, helping the children transition between mother tongue and english.
South Africa, Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute
Atlas partners with Gauteng Womens Rugby Institute (GWRI) to provide safe accommodation, food and hygiene products for young female rugby players who need it most. Women here are given the chance to study and train, developing opportunities to reach their potential and prepare for a career.
South Africa, Ocean View and Masiphumelele High School
Run as part of The Atlas South Africa region, the Ocean View and Masiphumelele High School programmes are using rugby and mentoring sessions to help the children tackle the drug and alcohol problems plaguing their communities.
How you can help Atlas South Africa
If you would like to show your support and help us in our mission to improve thousands of children’s access to quality education and rugby coaching through our projects in South Africa, please get in touch with Sue Anderson by emailing sue@theatlascharity.org.
There are several ways you can get involved and make a direct impact on disadvantaged children in South Africa. See the ways you can help here.
To make help children in South Africa today, donate here.
The Atlas South Africa Team
Jason Leonard OBE
Atlas SA Trustee
Former England prop, appeared for England 114 times plus 5 times for the British and Irish Lions, and won the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He was President of the RFU in 2015 and hosted the Rugby World Cup in England. As well as having a busy and successful corporate career, he is a prolific supporter of charities and has raised over £2M through his annual dinners for a number of rugby, youth and health charities. Jason founded Atlas and remains Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
John Le Roux
Atlas SA Trustee
John grew up in Rondebosch and matriculated at Rondebosch High School. He did a BCom Hons at UCT and became a CA. He played lots of enjoyable rugby at UCT from 1965 – 1971 and played for False Bay Rugby Club thereafter.
He also played for Western Province and Gazelles. John still has rugby involvement with UCT, Rondebosch High School, Masiphumelele Rugby Club and Atlas Foundation.
He was also a founding director in 1980 of Personal Trust (Pty) Ltd, a small financial and investment services company, where he still works and is currently a Director and Chairman.
Sue Anderson
Atlas SA Trustee
Atlas South Africa is led by Sue Anderson, who is instrumental in placing the spotlight firmly on the Foundation and spearheading fundraising initiatives with the SA rugby-loving and business community. Sue is well versed to direct the collaborative power that stems from the exceptional rugby ‘brotherhood’ of giving back, mentorship and friendship. She is active on the ground in the communities and is relentless in the fight to uplift the lives of children in great need.
Contact Atlas South Africa
For more information on Atlas South Africa, please email Sue Anderson: sue@theatlascharity.org
The Atlas Foundation SA is a PBO registered organisation and Section 18A. Certificates are issued for donations to projects.
A special thanks to our generous sponsors
Our sponsors share the values of friendship, education and health that The Atlas Foundation strives to implement in every community. Thank you all for your continued support.
