In the spirit of the festive season, the Cell C South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA), in partnership with SA Harvest and supported by Cell C, Tightline Fisheries, CMH Group, Cheetah Milling, Simonsvlei, DSV and the Hollywood Foundation has successfully delivered its annual festive food drop, by bringing hope and nourishment to South Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

This year’s initiative included two major operations – in Qonce (King Williams Town) and Durban respectively – where the Cell C SA Rugby Legends, including Waylon Murray, Keegan Daniel, AJ Venter, Sikholiwe Ndlovu, Charl McLeod, Nico Breedt, Abonga Nkwelo, Trevor Halstead and others offloaded an impressive 7,63 tons of food supplies. These donations will provide the ingredients needed to prepare nutritious meals in community kitchens, ensuring many families and individuals can enjoy the season with dignity.

The beneficiaries of this heartwarming project include Noncampa Village, a home for the elderly in Qonce; Siphila Ngomusa, a hostel for vulnerable individuals in Durban; and the Queens Sport & Soup Kitchen, a community hub making a vital impact in Durban. This project underscores SARLA’s dedication to uplifting communities and aligns with SA Harvest’s ongoing mission to address hunger and food insecurity across South Africa.

Funded by SARLA and supported by Boxer Superstores, which maximized every rand donated, the initiative filled two DSV trucks with essential items. These included tinned protein and vegetables, rice, flour, sugar, samp, beans, oil, maize meal, and fresh produce such as potatoes, apples, and butternut.

“This partnership is about more than just food; it’s about seeing the rugby values in action,” said Chiara Henry of SA Harvest. “The involvement of our Cell C SA Rugby Legends adds a personal touch that resonates with the communities we serve. Together with our sponsors & partners and Boxer Superstores, we are actively tackling the plight of hunger and demonstrating the transformative power of collaboration.”

Brad Macleod-Henderson from SARLA added, “As The Cell C SA Rugby Legends, we’re privileged to use our platform to give back to the communities that supported us throughout our careers. This annual initiative is a highlight for all of us, offering a chance to connect directly with people and share the festive spirit.”

Keegan Daniel, Cell C SA Rugby Legend carrying ingredient.

This project’s success was made possible by SA Harvest’s logistical expertise and unwavering dedication to rescuing food and addressing hunger across South Africa, alongside the generous support of our sponsors and partners.

For more information on how you can support initiatives like this, visit www.saharvest.org.