Ex-Springbok rugby player Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira and his wife, Kuziva, recently joined his sponsor Husqvarna South Africa to help “green’” spaces at Sizani school in Salt Rock, on the North Coast, as well as donate much-needed supplies.

Tendai already had a relationship with the school and so Husqvarna was happy to lend their support to a social development project there. 

Kuziva says after the outbreak of Covid-19 people worried about two main things: “getting food on the table and being healthy”.

Kuziva, whose background is in counselling psychology, shares a passion for empowering children with Tendai. 

She identified Sizani’s needs and set the scene for a relationship between the couple, the school, Husqvarna and co-sponsors The Digital Media Collective (TDMC), Starke Ayres and Future Life Smart Nutrition.

Husqvarna initiated a plan to green Sizani’s outdoor areas and build a sustainable vegetable garden.

Sizani has over the years expanded from 150 to 900 pupils, stretching resources to the max.

Husqvarna Africa regional marketing manager Jenna Robinson says: “Growing vegetable gardens, and knowing the importance of access to fresh food for many who receive one meal a day, means we believe the project benefits are beyond just monetary investment.”

The sponsorship is valued at almost R120,000, with Husqvarna providing equipment, training, a generator and other essential items.

Future Life is providing more than 9,000 meals, Starke Ayres donated vegetable garden starter kits and TDMC donated face masks for pupils.Principal Ntombenhle July, who has worked at Sizani for three decades, says the school can only succeed with the support of the community.

The donation will make a difference to the pupils, teachers and parents of Sizani, she says. 

The school still requires many resources, and the Mtawariras are calling on the community for help.

The event also served as an introduction to the couple’s new initiative, The Beast Foundation, which will offer physical and mental upliftment to children through sport.

To assist with the Sizani school project, contact The Beast Foundation on info@thebeastfoundation.org.