The Kolisi Foundation

Siya Kolisi needs no introduction to the South African community. Who is he? Siyamthanda Kolisi, who was born in June 1991, is not just a South African professional Rugby Union player but also the captain of the SA national team. Adding to that, of course, he heads up the Cell C Sharks team too. From humble beginnings to a national (and international) star, Siya Kolisi is the country’s sweetheart!

Siya Kolisi

The man of the moment – who is he really?

Some might find it heartwarming that Siya claims his favourite toy as a kid was a brick. But this only speaks of an upbringing that was anything but privileged. Sadly, Siya’s mother died when he was just 15 years old, and after that, his grandmother took care of him.

At the tender age of just seven years old, Siya started playing rugby. His team at the time was known as The African Bombers, and he was showing impeccable promise. Just five years later, he was in the limelight, being offered a rugby scholarship at Greys College.

His debut in the professional rugby world was in 2011 when he played for Western Province against the Golden Lions at the Vodacom Cup. The following year he played for the Stormers in the Super Rugby. And then things really started to happen when he played for the Springboks against Scotland in Nelspruit in 2012. SA won 30-17! And with his skill shining through with every match he plays in, it’s no wonder that Siya became the captain of the SA rugby team! Nowadays, Siya runs the Siya Kolisi Foundation with his wife, Rachel Kolisi.

What does the Kolisi Foundation do?

You might have heard of the Kolisi Foundation, but what does it do, and is there a way you can help them? The Siya Kolisi Foundation assists and provides opportunities to South Africans in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. For example, when COVID-19 was raging, the Kolisi Foundation was providing much-needed PPE to frontline workers in the medical field.

Of course, the foundation’s focus is not purely on assisting in COVID-19 times. The foundation places emphasis on helping those who live in under-resourced communities. They spend time providing resources and assisting with capacity building. Everything they do is done to mobilize and advocate for systemic change.

Currently, the Kolisi Foundation has several active projects that aim to provide food security, fight against gender-based violence, provide education and sports development, and aid in capacity-building. This is done through several school projects, a trauma hotline, community kitchens, food delivery services, distribution of awareness posters, outreach programs, and more.

How to get involved with the Siya Kolisi Foundation

If you want to do your bit to end inequality in South Africa and help the less fortunate, it’s time to act. The Kolisi Foundation welcomes all those who want to get involved. The following options are available:

• Donate to the various causes supported by the foundation. The Kolisi Foundation is a registered public benefit organization and can issue you an 18A tax certificate if you wish to donate. The Kolisi Foundation’s contact details if you require a tax certificate are: finance@kolisifoundation.org. You can donate via PayPal, credit/debit card, or EFT.
• Sign up to become a volunteer. When you sign up on the website, you can select if you want to be involved in volunteering for food security, gender-based violence, or youth education and sports development. The Kolisi Foundation’s contact details to sign up as a volunteer can be found here.
• Run a birthday fundraiser. This initiative encourages people to request fundraising assistance from loved ones and friends instead of receiving a gift on their birthday. This way, friends and family can choose to donate certain amounts via an online channel.
• Purchase e-voucher donations. Sometimes donating money on behalf of a friend or loved one is the perfect way to show them that you care. You can purchase an e-voucher from the Kolisi Foundation in your friend’s name and give it to them!
• Be part of the Kolisi Collective. This requires you to sign up for the donor’s club. A monthly contribution is then deducted from your bank account or card each month, and the foundation uses these funds to fund its various initiatives.

The Kolisi Foundation is appreciative of every donation, big or small. Every little bit helps, and if you get to know the foundation a little better, you will see that at the heart of it is a desire to activate change in South Africa and the world at large! If your inner philanthropist is looking for ways to give back to the community, perhaps getting involved with the Siya Kolisi Foundation is just the way to do that!

Expert advice for SA expats right here at FinGlobal

FinGlobal is an emigration team that makes the financial clutter surrounding emigration easier to understand. A smooth emigration process can be yours if you’re willing to seek the advice and guidance of professionals in the industry. The company has assisted thousands of South Africans with their emigration needs and requirements. So whether you’re simply looking to give back to your community or get your finances for the big move over the rough seas, we’re here to provide you with unending support.

We welcome you to contact FinGlobal for professional, accredited emigration advice backed by a firm foundation of over ten years in the industry. We provide meticulous advice and services to South Africans regarding their tax, pensions, FOREX, South African retirement annuities, and more.

To discuss your unique needs with our team, simply get in touch with us. Give us a call at +27 28 312 2764 or email at info@finglobal.com, and we will assist you promptly.