The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 108
FORCE FOR GOOD
VUSA UPDATE
GOING GLOBAL
The network is strong. The need is real.
COO Nikki Matthews updates us on the
enduring Bishops-VUSA partnership
T
here is something powerful
about the Bishops network.
You see it on the try-line on
a Saturday morning. You see it at
the 24-Hour Cycle Challenge. And
last year, we saw it globally.
In 2025, VUSA had the
opportunity to connect with ODs
in the UK. What stood out was not
nostalgia, but appetite – an appetite
to remain connected to and deeply
invested in South Africa in a way
that feels tangible, practical and
meaningful.
That appetite matters because
the partnership between Bishops
and VUSA is not symbolic; it is
structural. VUSA was born through
Bishops and remains the school’s
primary outreach partner. Bishops
funds key leadership roles, provides
governance and operational
support, and opens its fields,
facilities and community. In
return, VUSA works daily in
Langa, supporting more than
1,300 children through education,
sport, nutrition and structured
after-school programmes.
It is not charity. It is a
collaboration.
programme, a focused intervention
designed to strengthen early
language and foundational learning
skills. The reality in many township
schools is that children transition
into English as the language
of learning in Grade 4 before
they have fully mastered it.
Designed by Mercedes Artigue,
who is an ESL (English as a second
language) specialist, SEED focuses
on English language development,
numeracy foundations and
emotional regulation. Our hope
for 2027 is to incorporate it into
the foundation phases of the
five Langa schools, supporting
an additional 4,000 learners.
At the same time, our new hub
in Langa is steadily taking shape.
The building is old and still requires
significant work, but it now houses
a growing library, a computer
laboratory, an art and music
space, structured classrooms
for after-school learning, and
a vegetable garden and dining
area. Each improvement brings
us closer to what matters most:
a safe, stable environment where
children can focus, learn and grow.
Craig Vintcent (1986S), Nikki
Matthews and Charles McGregor
(1969F) meet in London.
WORK ON THE GROUND
While rugby remains the
programme’s drawcard, our focus
is to improve academic outcomes.
This year marked a significant
shift in our academic strategy,
with our introduction of the
SEED (Supportive, Empowering,
Educational Development)
THE CYCLE THAT CONNECTS US
The 24-Hour Cycle Challenge
remains the clearest expression
of the Bishops-VUSA partnership.
For more information,
contact Nikki Matthews or
Brendan Fogarty (1987W).
104 | THE OLD DIOCESAN
It continues to be one of the
school’s largest community events,
bringing together families, staff and
ODs in a shared effort.
We welcome the opportunity for
year groups and OD networks to take
ownership of specific Cycle Challenge
targets in the year ahead. When the
Bishops community mobilises,
measurable impact follows.
A GLOBAL NETWORK
For those based internationally,
VUSA can receive donations via
GlobalGiving, enabling UK and
US donors to receive tax-efficient
benefits, including Gift Aid in the UK.
Closer to home, VUSA remains a
registered Public Benefit Organisation
and Level 1 BBBEE contributor.
Donations qualify for a Section 18A
tax certificate.
If you are an OD in Cape Town,
London or further afield, we invite
you to be part of the next chapter.
nmatthews@bishops.org.za
bfogarty@bishops.org.za
+27 21 659 1038
vusarugbyacademy.com
