A Royal Visit by HRH The Prince of Wales to The Atlas Foundation South Africa

HRH The Prince of Wales has visited one of the projects run by The Atlas Foundation South Africa to spend time with some of the country’s most vulnerable children.

This visit by Prince William to Ocean View Secondary School, where he engaged with Atlas youngsters from both Ocean View and the neighbouring community of Masiphumelele, was a first for this special part of the southern tip of Cape Town. The visit comes while The Prince is in Cape Town for the fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards. 

Prince William joins a rugby coaching session with school children and former England player Jason Leonard at Ocean View Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa, November 4, 2024.

The visit to one of the most successful Atlas Projects highlighted the profound impact that sport can have in changing the lives of those who need it most.  The visit was supported by the British High Commission. 

Supporting Atlas SA on the day, was Jason Leonard (OBE), founder and Chairman of Atlas, along with fellow Atlas SA Trustees, Sue Anderson and John Le Roux.  Atlas Champions Joel Stransky, Percy Montgomery and Scarra Ntubeni, so generous with their time and support, joined in on the coaching session on the day.

Atlas Coaches included Fundile Frank Charlie, Xolani Mahulo, Ethan Levendall and Musa Simelane and were joined by Noxolo Nkambule of the GWRI.

Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute team players and coaches

Also joining us on the day were Andrew Sanders, the Principal of Ocean View Secondary School, and Denver Bowers, the Teacher and Head of Rugby at Ocean View Secondary School.

Ocean View Secondary School team sports

The Atlas Foundation is a global children’s charity that brings positive change to some of the most deprived children in need. It is committed to offering long term practical support for children growing up in some of the world’s most impoverished communities around the world. 

Founded in 2014 by Jason Leonard, OBE, former England Rugby World Cup Winner, The Atlas Foundation originated as a UK establishment, and now operates across five continents with a collective of international rugby champions lending their immense support and good name to the global extension of The Atlas Foundation across the world. 

Using The Atlas Foundation UK as a honing point of communication, fund distribution and connection between the continents, Atlas continues to expansively collaborate and support its worldwide network of ‘Atlas Abroad’: Atlas Asia, Atlas France, Atlas Ireland, Atlas USA and, of course, as the shining example of Atlas’ valued work today, Atlas South Africa. 

In addition to our ‘Atlas Abroad’ establishments, The Atlas Foundation uses our global network to identify ‘Local Partners’.  Atlas collaborates with these charity organisations to support under-resourced communities with an exceptionally researched perspective, informed by the partners who know, live in and understand impoverished and disadvantaged communities. 

In 2019 we officially launched Atlas South Africa and work in communities around SA.  Through the strong bonds and values of rugby, we strive to uplift young girls and boys through education, girl empowerment, nutrition and general well-being.  

Although culturally very different, the communities of Ocean View and Masiphumelele both  experience high crime rates, drugs, alcohol and gangs, often having a knock on effect on the children in these communities, with poor school attendance, behaviour and attainment.  With the focus and attention of Atlas South Africa, we have seen an exceptional impact in terms of cross-cultural friendships, respect, girl affirmation, discipline and inclusivity.  Our Atlas rugby coaching and computer classes offer a lifeline and it is beyond rewarding to see the youngsters find their voices, their confidence and the will to be the best person that they can be. By instilling hope, pride and dignity – it truly has the capacity to change the narrative. 

Education is key to all and Atlas has recently provided two new Atlas media centres at both Masiphumelele and Ocean View Secondary Schools and these give the children the opportunity to enjoy a coding lesson and to do their homework before they run onto the sports field for a rugby coaching session with the Atlas coaches.

Atlas South Africa DigiBus

The first of the Atlas DigiBuses (a 40 seater mobile computer classroom equipped with 40 desks and laptops) was commissioned and donated to the Vusa Academy in Cape Town. A proud Bishops School initiative, Vusa oversees the full operation and, together with generous support from Coronation Fund Managers, provides critical support to an extra 1400 children per month. A powerful legacy and testimony of the work done and funds raised by the Atlas Foundation to provide the opportunity to assist other Foundations doing great work with these children in their quest for learning and achieving their future aspirations. 

Internal view of the Atlas South Africa DigiBus

Test results on assignments on the Atlas Digibus have gone up by 20% – imagine if this could be rolled out across the country. The Atlas Digibus is a revolutionary Atlas initiative and a further Atlas Digibus is about to be commissioned in Nairobi.  It is the vision of Atlas South Africa, to facilitate a partnership with the business community and schools and strive to bring more of these to the children of South Africa  The Atlas Digibus is not a game changer, it’s a life changer.  

Atlas SA projects – Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute

Another of the Atlas SA projects is the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute which is a thriving project empowering young girls and women through education, rugby and coaching. Atlas is their biggest project donor and the aims of GWRI well align with the fundamental tenets of Atlas.  Young girls from extremely harsh backgrounds are welcomed to a place to stay and further their education, play rugby and return to their communities and coach and be a role model and inspiration back in their communities.  GWRI is a powerful platform for the girls to go on and rise above their circumstances and achieve.  Seven Springbok Women players have come through the GWRI programme along with 3 Junior Springbok Women and two playing for Zimbabwe  Atlas is extremely proud to be a part of this empowerment alongside Jaco Coetzer and the GWRI and witnessing these brilliant young women find their voice and their strength. 

Full credit and thanks are given to the exceptional coaches and mentors of the Atlas Foundation, they are the heartbeat of it all.  They reinforce the values and life skills that will stay with these youngster for life. 

For these children, the rugby field is more than just a place to play—it is a sanctuary, a place where they can escape the immense challenges and find a sense of belonging and purpose. The Royal visit symbolises more than just a shared love of the game; it is a powerful affirmation that these young lives matter. The honour of the royal visit will live on in their memories for their life time and it is a message that despite the traumas that they may have endured, their futures are still bright and full of possibility.  

Contact Information:

Sue Anderson
Trustee / Executive Director
The Atlas Foundation South Africa

Email: sue@theatlascharity.org
Mobile: +27 (0)82 890 4898
Website: https://theatlascharity.org/

Atlas South Africa Social Media Handles:
Instagram – @atlas_southafrica
LinkedIn – The Atlas Foundation South Africa
Facebook – The Atlas Foundation South Africa