Students at the Rugby Academy played 39 games this year and lost only 2 (to Grey's College 15s and 7s). This is such a fantastic achievement for a township academy that has been in existence for just two years. De Wet Barry will now be helping with coaching.

Five of the boys who came on tour to the UK last May have been offered PE scholarships at leading schools as a result of the exposure they got after the tour. Two will be going to Grey College.

It is the combined support of Stanley House at Wellington College, Tour Aid, Saffron Walden RFC, Saffron Walden High and the Oliver Foundation that has helped create these opportunities and put Umzingisi firmly on the map.

Fifteen young men and two teachers from Wellington College in the UK travelled to South Africa to support The Oliver Foundation and Umzingisi Sports Academy. They donated a sea container which they decorated and equipped with Gym equipment. They also taught sport and games, had lunch in a soup kitchen and took the Khayalethu lads bowling. "This really was a life changing experience for us all" said Housemaster Neill Lunnon.

Four students from the UK volunteered at Umzingisi for four weeks as part of their Gap year experience. "It was a fantastic opportunity and I really was sad to have to leave" said Callum.

Read a news article about this (PDF)

Zama Choir, now 35 children strong, have had their first official performance which took place in Port Elizabeth in front of students from Wellington College, visiting on an educational trip from the UK. You can view their performance here or see them in rehearsal here and here.

To book the choir for your Christmas event contact Gail.

Eight of our young players have been selected to play in an inter-provincial tournament in Cape Town on 14th December. Call Gail or Sharon if you're able to sponsor this tour R24000 (£2000).

Read The Herald's new article, entitled Benefits of Chess Check Out for Academy.

The past few months have seen the funding and launch of a new enterprise initiative for community based organisations who run soup kitchens - the growing and cropping of spinach to feed the hungry, with the surplus being sold to develop the programmes of the group. Two tunnels have been established in the secure surroundings of the Red Location Museum and the first crops have now been sold to the local Spa to the delight of all involved. Over a hundred bunches of the best quality are being supplied each week and the funds raised are being used for development of care projects for those affected by HIV/Aids and for a quality soup kitchen.

You can read two news articles on this story:
Crop to Feed Hungry
Garden Project Bears Fruit

Katy Martin was inspired by the Oliver Foundation and decided to have a ceilidh with her friends in Paisley, Scotland. Thanks to Katy for all her hard work in planning this and the commitment she has already made to the Oliver Foundation. Read Katy's press article (PDF).

64 players attended the 4th Surrey Hills Tennis Tournament on 16th September for another glorious day. The funds raised will support the Zama After-School Programme which currently provides after-school activities for over 200 disadvantaged children each day.

Our annual party evening in Surrey is always great fun. The team made a great job of decorating the hall, Phanee and Thomas laid on a sumptuous Thai dinner and we all danced the night away to the sounds of local band Sera Golding and the Men In Black. A big thank you to all!

Christmas Parties are something worth celebrating and this year we're planning a beach party for around 160 children and helpers, and for many it will be their first time to the beach.

There are many things which would help make this day go with a bigger smile.

Juan has been a regular visitor to Red Location in New Brighton to document the Foundation's activities. He has very generously given his time and expertise to create a short showreel of our activities and leaves us with a library of photos. Our sincere gratitude to him for all his efforts on our behalf. We wish him well as he returns to complete his studies in San Diego.