Roger Federer and Siya Kolisi visit Salani Primary School in Mpumalanga, inspiring young learners and promoting the power of community in education. Image: Sowetan Live.
(The Post News)– Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer visited South Africa this week, teaming up with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to promote education. Federer’s charitable foundation, which supports early childhood learning across six Southern African countries, aims to keep more children in school and prevent dropouts.
Federer said his choice to focus on South Africa was an easy one, given his mother’s roots in Johannesburg. He also shared that Kolisi’s inspiring story, rising from poverty to leading the Springboks to two Rugby World Cup wins, motivated him to do more for education in the region.
His foundation has donated millions to early learning projects in South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Namibia. Similarly, Kolisi’s foundation is committed to improving education in underprivileged communities. “I want to shine a light on the areas that need help and inspire others to do the same,” Kolisi said.
Their efforts come at a crucial time, as a World Bank report recently revealed that South Africa is facing an education crisis, with poor learning outcomes and shrinking state funding. The report warned that by 2030, an additional 1.2 million children would require 20,000 more classrooms and 25,000 new teachers.
During a meeting with business leaders, Federer stressed the urgency of investing in education. He highlighted the need for well-equipped schools and passionate, skilled teachers to guide the next generation.
Federer and Kolisi also visited Salani Primary School in Mpumalanga, where Federer praised the community’s collective effort to support children’s education. “Real progress happens when people work together towards a common goal,” he said. Through their foundations, Federer and Kolisi are rallying support to ensure a brighter future for Southern Africa’s children.
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