About Atlas South Africa ABOUT RUGBY CHAMPIONS PROJECTS EVENTS DONATE GALLERY Atlas South Africa was founded in 2018 after a successful Atlas Trek to Botswana and Zimbabwe attended by South African Rugby Champions. Since then two successful rides in the Cape Town Cycling Tour have supported Atlas's work in the townships and poorest rural communities, bringing new hope to children through the power of rugby. History The Atlas Foundation was founded by England and British Lions legend, Jason Leonard OBE, to harness the power of the global rugby family and tackle the big issues facing vulnerable young people around the world. Today ATLAS works across 16 countries, empowering 53 456 young people. All our projects are centered around rugby and education, developing the tools and support networks to lift themselves and their communities out of poverty. ATLAS All Schools South Africa In 2019 we officially launched the ATLAS All Schools programme in South Africa. This proven model combats crime, inequality and discrimination. It creates resilient, honest, capable young people who attend and achieve at school, and who are willing and able to help themselves and others. Team The Atlas South Africa Team Jason Leonard OBE Atlas SA Trustee Former England prop, appeared for England 114 times plus 5 times for the British and Irish Lions, and won the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He was President of the RFU in 2015 and hosted the Rugby World Cup in England. As well as having a busy and successful corporate career, he is a prolific supporter of charities and has raised over £2M through his annual dinners for a number of rugby, youth and health charities. Jason founded Atlas and remains Chairman of the Board of Trustees. John Le Roux Atlas SA Trustee John grew up in Rondebosch and matriculated at Rondebosch High School. He did a BCom Hons at UCT and became a CA. He played lots of enjoyable rugby at UCT from 1965 – 1971 and played for False Bay Rugby Club thereafter. He also played for Western Province and Gazelles. John still has rugby involvement with UCT, Rondebosch High School, Masiphumelele Rugby Club and Atlas Foundation. He was also a founding director in 1980 of Personal Trust (Pty) Ltd, a small financial and investment services company, where he still works and is currently a Director and Chairman. Sue Anderson Atlas SA Trustee The Atlas office is led by Sue Anderson, who is instrumental in placing the spotlight firmly on the Foundation and spearheading fundraising initiatives with the SA rugby-loving corporate and business community. Sue is well versed to direct the collaborative power that stems from the exceptional rugby ‘brotherhood’ of giving back, mentorship and friendship. Simon Shaw Atlas Digibus and Rugby Champion Simon Shaw spent much of his early years in Spain, but he would become a key part of English rugby. After taking up the sport at the age of 16 following his family’s move to Surrey, Shaw’s talents were obvious and Bristol soon snapped him up a year later. Shaw would finally make his England debut in 1996 against Italy before he moved to Wasps a year later, a place where the powerhouse forward would remain for 14 years. Fahad Adil In-country Digibus Project Manager Fahad lives in Nairobi, Kenya and so his role is to ensure the implementation of the project on the ground. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the project, from inception to handover and communicates this with the project managers. Calum Humphrey Digibus Project Manager Calum lives in Hampshire, England and manages the DigiBus project from a distance. From sourcing the bus, laptops and desks, to the factory it will be fabricated in, Calum has been critical in bringing the DigiBus concept to life. Manage Cookie Preferences