The Kolisi Foundation has marked its sixth anniversary by launching a national initiative aimed at supporting childhood development and improving access to nutrition and learning resources.
The initiative, called The First Cup Fund, will run from 9 April to 9 May. It invites South Africans to contribute by purchasing any warm beverage at participating venues, including Tiger’s Milk and Old Town Italy restaurants nationwide.
Proceeds will be directed towards programmes focused on daily nutrition, safe learning environments and access to resources for children in under-resourced communities.
The foundation said the campaign comes as many communities continue to face pressure related to food insecurity, limited access to early childhood support and broader socio-economic challenges.
“While we recognise the progress made over the past six years, the need remains significant. The First Cup Fund is intended to provide a simple way for more people to contribute towards improving outcomes for young children,” said Siya Kolisi, co-founder of the Kolisi Foundation.
Over the past six years, the foundation has implemented programmes across food security, education and sport, as well as gender-based violence prevention and response, reaching thousands of people. In partnership with Boxer and Feed the Nation, approximately R60 million has been invested into initiatives aimed at strengthening food security in vulnerable communities.
The foundation has also delivered eight infrastructure projects, including three prefabricated libraries, a community kitchen, a sewing hub, primary school fencing and two sports fields to create safe spaces for learning and development.
Through the Siyaphakama Zwide Schools Project, more than 4,500 children have been reached since 2022, with the foundation saying the work has been made possible through partnerships with community-based organisations.
Managing Director Mahlatse Mashua said the campaign is designed to make participation accessible and link small individual contributions to broader community impact.
“We continue to work closely with partners on the ground who understand the needs of their communities. Initiatives like this allow us to extend that work by bringing more people into the process of giving,” Mashua said.
Life & Brand CEO Trevor Wollheim said the initiative connects everyday actions with meaningful impact.
“By simply choosing to have a coffee, people are able to contribute to something that supports children at a critical stage of their development. It’s a small action, but one that can make a real difference when many people take part,” he said.