Our Mission & Vision
By focusing on uplifting the educational and sporting standards for youths in need, we help to improve their access to better future opportunities and resources. This will result in these youths being equipped to study further, play sports professionally, or otherwise enter the workforce. Ultimately, we aim for these youths to uplift themselves and their communities and break the cycle of poverty.
Jacques Kallis Foundation
About Us
How the Foundation began…
Following his Western Province Benefit Year in 2005, at the age of 29, Jacques Kallis invested all proceeds earned for that year in the formation of the Foundation, realizing a life-long desire to give back.
“For me, to give back what the game has allowed me to achieve, is by far the best gift I could ever receive.” Jacques
Since then, the Foundation has relied solely on private donations and its own internal fundraising efforts, most notably the annual golf day, hosted by Jacques himself and attended by some of South Africa’s sporting and business elite. The Foundation will forever be indebted to Madeleine Hilterman who made a substantial donation in 2009 as well as a core group of individuals and corporates who have, and continue to, give life-blood to the cause.
Our History…
Amid a litany of South African sporting greats, Jacques Henry Kallis stands amongst the best of all time having established himself as one of the finest all-rounders in the history of the game. For longevity and reliability alone, many would place him at the top of that list.
Jacques himself was offered a scholarship to Wynberg Boys High School and attributes much of his success to this opportunity and the many that followed subsequently and it was for this reason that giving back was always at the forefront of his mind.
Our Plans…
(To reach our mission, we’ve adopted a two-pronged approach: playing it forward + passing it back.
Playing it forward means that we recognise how each of us with privileged lives can impact those less fortunate.
Our key strategy here is our scholarship programme and our mentorship programme. These are our current focus areas.
Passing it back (Still to come) means that we really acknowledge the backgrounds and communities in which many of our students come from. We want to not just focus on a few but touch many through our sports equipment donation drives and our other mentoring programmes.
Our Approach…
Education gives opportunities for a better future. Sport creates focus, discipline, and healthy habits and teaches teamwork. Together, they have the ability to change lives.
At the Foundation, we believe that we are best equipped to offer access to quality education and sporting opportunities for certain youths through our scholarship program, whilst at the same time uplifting community schools in poor areas in an effort to reach more youths through various clothing and sporting equipment donations and drives. As many of these youths lack motivation, or even the ability to dream, we want to provide them with a glimpse into possible options for their lives. We hope to inspire more young sports fanatics!
Our Goals
Giving back to the community
Giving back to the community is a vital part of being a responsible and engaged citizen. Whether it’s through volunteering at a local charity, participating in a community clean-up event, or making a donation to a nonprofit organization, there are many ways to make a positive impact on the people and places around you.
Quality Education
Quality education is the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life. It helps individuals to develop the knowledge, skills, and values needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.
Quality Sports Mentorship
Quality sports mentorship can be a game-changer for young athletes. A good mentor can help to improve not only their athletic skills, but also their confidence, focus, and teamwork.
Become a Volunteer and join us!
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Meet our Amazing Team!
Jacques Kallis
Founder
Sharon Jardim
Foundation Manager
Our Trustees!
Alan Rubin
Trustee
Selwyn Eagle
Trustee
Dave Rundle
Trustee
David Greenberg
Trustee
Keith Richardson
Trustee
Shivaar Chuturgoon
Trustee
Welcome to Our New Trustees!
KEITH RICHARDSON
Keith Richardson was a Latin and History teacher for many years at both Plumstead High School and Wynberg Boys’ High School. He believed that education was equally important outside the classroom and for many years was involved in coaching hockey and cricket at school, provincial and national level.
One young cricketer who would later emerge as a future international star was Jacques Kallis. In 1999, Keith was appointed as Headmaster of Wynberg Boys’ High School – a position he held for 17 years before taking on the post as Headmaster of Springfield – giving him the unique opportunity to lead both a Boys and a Girls school. He currently serves as CEO of the Principals Academy Trust, an NGO which coaches and mentors Principals predominantly in disadvantaged areas.
Keith Richardson, Chad Fortune and Shivaar Chuturgoon mentor our current young men.
SHIVAAR CHUTURGOON
We are excited to have Shivaar on board as our first Fellow to join as a trustee.
In 2009 I was afforded the privilege of attending Pretoria Boys High School. A privilege that would not have been possible without the Jacques Kallis Scholarship Foundation. To say that this was a life-changing opportunity would be nothing short of an understatement. The wholistic education that I received throughout my high school career laid the foundations that enabled me to pursue all my endeavours in life with the confidence and knowledge that anything was possible. The license to dream and the belief that anything was possible led me to pursue a career in Actuarial Science. Although, to be honest, the fact that my batting average could never quite match my academic average did have an influence on this decision…
A few years after leaving Pretoria Boys High School (and many, many exams later), I fulfilled my dream of becoming a qualified Actuary. This is a dream that would not have been possible without the support of the Foundation. I have spent my short career so far working in Life Insurance as a Product Development Actuary for BrightRock and currently, Sanlam Pan Africa. It gives me a massive sense of fulfilment to craft products that provide for families when their loved ones are no longer able to provide for them. Whether that is the money that allows an orphaned child to continue to attend school or to assist with the living expenses of a family when the breadwinner is no longer able to earn the income to support their family.
The privilege to remain part of the Foundation and to assist in continuing the fantastic work that has already been done is one that I am extremely grateful for. Having benefited from the Foundation, I have experienced the life changing impact that it can have on a child’s life first hand. It is my promise to do everything in my power to help the Foundation grow and to help dozens more children benefit in the same way that I did. This is my small way of thanking the Foundation for all that it has done for me.
Our Incredible Patrons!
Rob is also a board member of the South African-Netherlands Chamber of Commerce “SANEC” and his links with South Africa are multifold: shipping, wine, tourism, and of course the JKSF, which he joined shortly after it’s the inauguration.
“Cricket is the greatest character-building sport around and I owe a lot to the game. Despite the “blood, sweat, and tears” as a quick bowler for two decades, I hugely enjoyed my career. Not only for precious sports moments, sharing victories, and accepting defeats, but it also taught me about understanding different cultures and developing cross-border friendships, which also made me understand my native culture much better. It has broadened my view on many an aspect of life and I am proud that I am able to contribute to all that the Scholarships Foundation stands for”.
Rob van Weelde is not only a long standing patron of the Jacques Kallis Foundation but also has a love for music.
The South African Premiere of “The Seven Symphonies: A Classical Tribute to Beach Boys Music.”
We were invited to an exclusive musical journey, curated by Rob van Weelde, conducted by Alexandra Arrieche and performed by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, on Saturday 23rd March 2024 at the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch.
Congratulations Rob van Weelde, Aleandra Arrieche and team for an unforgettable experience.